Gelcoat vs. Paint?

[93SJ760]

Probably been discussed many times before but I couldn't find info on this when I searched. I have my machine apart and ready to prep but just wondering what I should do below the bond line. I notice many are just going with paint. Is this due to cost? I guess what I'm trying to roughly compare is:

Cost
Toughness
Ease of application
Looks

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Northern Ontario Rider

 

[Rickster]

The hulls are painted to begin with, so it's far easier to just paint them.

Gelcoat would be a royal pain in the arse...

 

[Idok]

gelcoat is great for the motor compartment though...tougher than paint and you can just brush it on...

 

[Superjet3]

Paint is a hell of alot easier to apply and get to look nice over gel coat! If you were making somethign from a mold thats a whole different animal.

 

[LBE]

The hulls are painted to begin with, so it's far easier to just paint them.

Gelcoat would be a royal pain in the arse...

Hulls are not painted, they are gelcoat, from the factory at least. Thats what goes in the mold first, then they lay the glass on that, when you pull it out of the mold the gelcoat is your outer layer.

I'm working on a B1 project right now and having a similar debate. I think I'm gonna gelcoat just the bottom surface, and roll it on. I want it to be thick and durable, and It doesn't need to look nice so I will roll it on. The rest I will just paint.

 

[waterfreak]

FYI-I believe that the bottom of the hull (which is SMC) is painted from the factory but the top deck is gelcoat because it is fiberglass.

 

[Rickster]

FYI-I believe that the bottom of the hull (which is SMC) is painted from the factory but the top deck is gelcoat because it is fiberglass.

Someone with some knowledge...

LBE, you cannot and I repeat cannot use gelcoat prior to pressing SMC. gelcoat has to harden prior to glassing to get it to work. The presses use high pressure and heat to get the SMC to mold.

Obviously the hulls like the SXI Pro which are glass, do have gelcoat on the bottom.

 

[djkorn1]

My SXR is completely gelcoated (outside) and made of fiberglass.

I don't think the blue Superjets are gelcoated... if they are it is really thin...
They might be gel coated white and painted blue.

 

[Idok]

butti's B1 is completely gelcoated except for the hood......no problems going on 3rd season..i believe he used a paint gun to spray it, not a roller though...

the black stuff on the bottom was expensive as hell....








the gelcoat in the motor compartment requires no sanding..just brush it on and good to go....

 

[93SJ760]

GelCoat vs Paint

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'm going out today to buy mat'l. If nobody is Gelcoating I guess I won't then. I would imagine it's as expensive as paint.

I guess the proper way to fix gouges in the bottom of your hull is with fibreglass resin? if you don't use Gelcoat.

Another question. I found a source for Dupont paint. Has anyone used it? Does it hold up for our application?

I think the gelcoat inside is a good idea. I may consider that if I find it cheap. I was planning on going white inside in between my carbon fibre reinforcement.

Thanks,
Tyler

I'll take some pictures of the hull in progress and post them.

 

[gj_fx1]

Deep gouges i'd fill with epoxy+fairing filler, or marine tex. If they are very superficial you can use polyester gel coat repair which is a bit easier to sand.

 

[crammit442]

FYI-I believe that the bottom of the hull (which is SMC) is painted from the factory but the top deck is gelcoat because it is fiberglass.

You're correct!:smile:

Charles

 

[SUPERJET-113]

You're correct!:smile:

Charles

yes, and the 90-95 SJ has SMC bottom and Metton top deck and hood with paint and the nose piece was SMC also.

 

[LBE]

yes, and the 90-95 SJ has SMC bottom and Metton top deck and hood with paint and the nose piece was SMC also.

I didn't know that. I have an FX1 and a B1, and both are gellcoat /fiberglass. I knew the round noses are SMC, but not sure on the Square nose.

 

[ArtMaybee]

heh.. I think the nose piece on a squarenose is just molded plastic not SMC.
Then again it could be SMC... Who knows...

 

[SUPERJET-113]

Yeah Art, now that I think about it, your right.
Its just pure plastic crap. Basically acyrilic...

 

[darthmorbius]

gelcoat

I believe that almost all jet ski's are gelcoat. All the hull parts are usually gelcoat on fiberglass. Gelcoat is far more durable for marine use than paint. Although a well cared for quality paint job will probably last a while.

 

[gj_fx1]

Gel coat is put on fiberglass as part of the fab process. Actually the gel goes in the mold first, then the fiberglass is layed up on top. With SMC hull they cannot do that, so whatever coating is on there is sprayed on afterwards.
You can see on my waveraider (SMC) wherever there is a scratch the color coating is very thin like paint.

 

[SUPERJET-113]

I believe that almost all jet ski's are gelcoat. All the hull parts are usually gelcoat on fiberglass. Gelcoat is far more durable for marine use than paint. Although a well cared for quality paint job will probably last a while.

There are way more SMC PWC hulls made than %100 fiberglass hulls.. and some are both.

All fiberglass hulls have to sit in the mold to cure. Therefore they nrrd more molds and more waiting time. With SMC it cools very fast and they can pump them out one after another.
It = more $$$ for the company..

 

[simopimo]

Fibreglass skis are gelcoated.

SMC skis are not. They are painted.

Some skis (eg. some blasters, some Kawi standups) have a mixture of fibreglass (hull) which obviously would be gelcoated, while the top is SMC, which would be painted.

Gelcoat is generally only used at time of construction on fibreglass because it won't cure when exposed to air. It's sprayed into the mould first, then the fibreglass is sprayed over the top using a chopper gun. Flowcoat is a derivative of gelcoat which does cure when exposed to air - it's really good to use on the hull or in the engine bay because it's thick like gelcoat but is easier to apply.

I would hate to try and paint a ski using gelcoat. What a nightmare.