Fiberglass questions
Hello everyone! In my search for a new van, I am thinking of getting one with a high fiberglass top. Or having a top (used or new) put onto a van. I'm reading up on restoring fiberglass and hav...
Forum Discussion
For small repairs you don't spray a gel coat, you brush it on. No big bucks or special equipment are necessary. Unless cosmetic effect is the goal, few small patches is all you need. Small cracks in gel coat can be ignored.
Epoxy is mechanically stronger than polyester resin, and needs UV protection - normally a gel coat. Best structural FG are epoxy or vinylester resin, while gel coat can be poly.
I used paint on epoxy as well, where gel coat was not worth the trouble. Exterior trim paint from Home Depot - 100% acrylic latex - works fine. "Marine" paint would probably work as well, but I can't justify the cost. I painted epoxy where the ease of repair was more important than appearance. Paint will wear out or peel off with time, gel coat is more durable.
There is a good chance that you won't need any repairs or gel re-coating on that van. Give it a good wash and go ahead.
Epoxy is mechanically stronger than polyester resin, and needs UV protection - normally a gel coat. Best structural FG are epoxy or vinylester resin, while gel coat can be poly.
I used paint on epoxy as well, where gel coat was not worth the trouble. Exterior trim paint from Home Depot - 100% acrylic latex - works fine. "Marine" paint would probably work as well, but I can't justify the cost. I painted epoxy where the ease of repair was more important than appearance. Paint will wear out or peel off with time, gel coat is more durable.
There is a good chance that you won't need any repairs or gel re-coating on that van. Give it a good wash and go ahead.
