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Topic: Gel coat checking (Read 559 times) previous topic - next topic

Gel coat checking

Awhile back ( 3 or 4 years ago)I removed the the black nonslip on the roof at the ladder. Today while cleaning the roof I noticed some checking starting where the no skid was. I need to know if one where to sand the area and put a couple of coats of epoxy hull paint for a temporary repair would work. Or does anyone have any other ideas, I'm not currently in a position to get into some big repairs.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #1 –
Bruce, why not get some epoxy and F G hardener and a roller and just layer on  some? would take the same amount of time and money but would be a complete repair? Who cares what it looks like up there and you can allways recoat to make a pretty looking job if needed
johnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #2 –
Bruce,
I am planning on using some marine deck paint that has added particles of sand or whatever for traction, and also will seal those tiny cracks that was where the nonskid stuff FOT put on when new. At least, according to my reading of the paint description of the stuff I have looked at. It will be an experiment! :o
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #3 –
Rance at Xtreme urges the removal of the non skid on roof because of the damage that seems to occur over time. He fixed the checking in mine before they painted the roof.
Might give Greg or Rance a call at Xtreme for their input on best way to repair.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #4 –
I have done blister repair on several boats using the West System.  You can find a good discussion of various applications on the West site.    westsystemcom1.site.mobi



George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #5 –
The epoxy/deck paint is kind of what I had in mind. I was surprised how quick the checking came about it wasn't there 6 weeks ago when I cleaned the roof. Thanks for the replies.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #6 –
Use caution----polyester gel coat resin and epoxy resin are not very compatible.  It is simple matter to sand and reapply gel coat.  It can be sprayed or rolled and even brush applied.  Add a release agent ( poly vinyl alcohol) so that the gel coat will harden with out leaving a sticky surface and then sand and buff  for desired sheen.  You can buy a color matching kit for a few bucks.
Color matching is the hardest part of the process.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280
 

Re: Gel coat checking

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Rance at Xtreme urges the removal of the non skid on roof because of the damage that seems to occur over time. He fixed the checking in mine before they painted the roof.
Might give Greg or Rance a call at Xtreme for their input on best way to repair.
Rance did a minor version of this same repair on my coach.  He fixed the checking and then sprayed color matched gel coat (with some of the non-skid beads in it) over the area where the original non-skid stick-on was.  I had several other pieces of glasswork done at the same time so it isn't easy to sort out the exact cost but I don't think that one was expensive.
Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126