[Tahiti428]

About 5 yrs ago my boat was clear coated,it looked fantastic but now it is really starting to flake and peel off. Is there a special clear for gel coat? Do they make a clear gel coat? I dont know what the best way to go about this is.

 

[sangerfan76]

i have never had luck getting clear to stick to gel and stay. clear is Purus and gel is not. clear expands and contracts with heat and cold and gel dont, thus causing cracks. have it re gelled and save

 

[Cobra1]

So about 5 years ago did you ask some one " what automotive clear works best on gel coat".

I've lost track on how many post's I've seen like this. Just go up and do a search, it's all there. If it's not go to screamandfly cuz there are dozens more over there.

 

[redneckcharlie]

i have never had luck getting clear to stick to gel and stay. clear is Purus and gel is not. clear expands and contracts with heat and cold and gel dont, thus causing cracks. have it re gelled and save

Clear will stick to gel. Most adhesion issues are attributeable to poor prep. In most cases, its an improper scratch(the grit chosen is incorrect). The other thing with clear, is that the quality ones(BASF, PPG, etc) can be very expensive. Cheap clear is characterized by chaulking and deterioration. The biggest difference between the inexpensive clears and the high quality ones is the amount of UV inhibitor thats present. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. A quality clear is in the 250-300$ a gallon range, and up. Thats a complete setup with hardener, reducer, and the clear.

 

[sleekcrafter]

To achive good bite on gel a minimun of 220 grit is needed, this is too much for an automotive clears to handle. The product for gelcoats is either Duratec or Prestec, both are great products, and spray like automotive clears, but a bigger nozzle is needed.

 

[TRG]

This is kinda funny! majority of all offshore companies down in Florida, Texas, all use the monochromatic gelcoat as a good primer base, then all that they do is scuff/mask/base/clear! I am almost positive that the only time that they will primer/seal is to achieve a solid base to start with, but I could be wrong!

 

[hotbo]

Clear will stick to gel. Most adhesion issues are attributeable to poor prep. In most cases, its an improper scratch(the grit chosen is incorrect). The other thing with clear, is that the quality ones(BASF, PPG, etc) can be very expensive. Cheap clear is characterized by chaulking and deterioration. The biggest difference between the inexpensive clears and the high quality ones is the amount of UV inhibitor thats present. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. A quality clear is in the 250-300$ a gallon range, and up. Thats a complete setup with hardener, reducer, and the clear.

x2 we have cleared a few boats and never had any issues with anything peelinghand

but we do use top of the line products in our bodyshop

you put cheap clear on its gonna come off,you do bad prep work its gonna come off.that simple

 

[TOBTEK]

Clear will stick to gel. Most adhesion issues are attributeable to poor prep. In most cases, its an improper scratch(the grit chosen is incorrect). The other thing with clear, is that the quality ones(BASF, PPG, etc) can be very expensive. Cheap clear is characterized by chaulking and deterioration. The biggest difference between the inexpensive clears and the high quality ones is the amount of UV inhibitor thats present. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. A quality clear is in the 250-300$ a gallon range, and up. Thats a complete setup with hardener, reducer, and the clear.

AGREE 100% wetsand the gell with 400 and you will be good. PPG 2042 with reducer and hardner is apx $350.00 a gallon now. We have been using Transtar clear products now for about a year. $134.00 a gallon, lays down better then the PPG,and more glossy... and drys very fast. At 75 degrees dry in 2 hours. We use a oven at 150 degrees for the helmets and small parts. 30 min's and you can wet sand.... its a good product "SO FAR"