How to Prep a Surface for Gelcoat Resurfacing

[2Boaters!]

The underside of the swim platform, where it attaches to the stern, needs repair. I used a wire cup wheel with an angle grinder to remove the loose gelcoat and scuff up the surface. I am looking for a chemical cleaning agent or other product to remove the grime and plant growth and prep the surface for white gelcoat with wax. I presume this gelcoat product is the correct one, but I’m to suggestions.

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[techmitch]

Ton's of places to get it https://www.westmarine.com/marykate...1jT-c6WIlXEzlioZgPjPqlScSUxwi0-hoCPeEQAvD_BwE
Here's just one.

 

[Skybolt]

Personally, I would hit it with a wire brush and clean it real well. Then paint it with white epoxy bilge paint. That's not worth gel-coating like that on the boat.

TotalBoat TotalBilge Epoxy Bilge Paint

TotalBilge is the first and only epoxy-based bilge paint for boat bilge, bulkhead, and locker areas! Dries to a durable, hard finish.

www.totalboat.com

 

[techmitch]

The underside of the swim platform, where it attaches to the stern, needs repair. I used a wire cup wheel with an angle grinder to remove the loose gelcoat and scuff up the surface. I am looking for a chemical cleaning agent or other product to remove the grime and plant growth and prep the surface for white gelcoat with wax. I presume this gelcoat product is the correct one, but I’m to suggestions.

View attachment 160815.

Personally, I would hit it with a wire brush and clean it real well. Then paint it with white epoxy bilge paint. That's not worth gel-coating like that on the boat.

TotalBoat TotalBilge Epoxy Bilge Paint

TotalBilge is the first and only epoxy-based bilge paint for boat bilge, bulkhead, and locker areas! Dries to a durable, hard finish.

www.totalboat.com

Looks like he is looking for a clean prep, but I'm with you after that.

 

[Skybolt]

Looks like he is looking for a clean prep, but I'm with you after that.

Wire brush and wipe down with acetone. Sorry thought that was a given.

If it's real bad, doesn't look that way, use on-off hull cleaner.

 

[2Boaters!]

Looks like he is looking for a clean prep, but I'm with you after that.

Thanks for the product tip for the white epoxy bilge paint and on/off hull cleaner.

 

[2Boaters!]

Ton's of places to get it https://www.westmarine.com/marykate-on-and-off-hull-bottom-cleaner-gallon-127979.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=[ADL][PLA] Boat Maintenance_Control&utm_content=autoag0000x21026683838&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7-SvBhB6EiwAwYdCAX45Dav0MEWVcVdoc8EKH21jT-c6WIlXEzlioZgPjPqlScSUxwi0-hoCPeEQAvD_BwE
Here's just one.

Thanks for the link.

 

[keokie]

Remember to use appropriate respiratory and eye protection when hitting that area with a wire wheel or similar. The fiberglass which is just below the gelcoat is exceptionally bad for the lungs and eyes when it gets in the air.

Also, don't forget acetone is incredibly flammable, so take precautions there as well. Even static electricity can ignite the fumes. I was once doing some fiberglass work on a small boat (1981 Sea Ray 210 CC) in the summer in the desert southwest. I was wiping down areas of work with a few red shop rags soaked in acetone. For safety, when I was done with each rag, I tossed it over the side of the boat onto the driveway in order to keep them away from me and the boat in case of an errant spark or such. When I got out of the boat, I noticed the rags had turned black, I assumed from some kind of chemical reaction. My hands were full, but just out of curiosity, I kinda kicked one to see if it turned black everywhere. It was on fire. the cement was hot enough to ignite them.

I'm absolutely with the others on the epoxy paint for that area.