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Flowcoat
Alex B - 16/10/07 at 10:40 PM

Can Flowcoat be sprayed given proper temps?. I`ve brushpainted it in large areas and find the wet edge time is almost nil.

Just wondered if a better finish could be acheived......big nozzle on spraygun?

Alex


Simon - 16/10/07 at 10:59 PM

Google is your friend

http://www.diyprojects.info/bb/ftopic23643.html

So it doesn't disappear, I've quoted the final response here:

"The additive they use is called 'Patchaid', made by a company called
'Spectrum'. They said they use to use something called 'Dura-tec', but
the 'patchaid' worked better. That and the hardener is all they use
with un-waxed gelcoat. 30 to 50% additive is used depending on which
gun they were using, whatever it takes to make it sprayable, on small
repairs they would use one of those disposable sprayers, 'Prevail' I
think it's called, which you can get at Home Despot for about $7. It's
still not a glossy surface like you get with paint or Imron, they have
to wet sand and buff but it cuts down on that a bunch. I looked on the
can and all it said was 'contains styrene monemer' so it wouldn't
surprise me if all it was was styrene and wax for 10 times the price.
Like Harry says, the boat dealers can get you the correct color,
whether it matches or not sort of depends on the age of the boat and
the color you are trying to match, lighter being easier. On most boats
if the color match is critical, they have somebody come out with a
'gun' that reads the color and and formulates a 2-part paint that they
apply and then cover with a clearcoat which gives them a pretty much
invisible patch."

ATB

Simon


Alex B - 16/10/07 at 11:33 PM

Thanks again Simon. It is in fact to redo a tenyear old 18ft boat. Not bothered with shine but just a better finish on the 17ft one I did ten yrs ago.

I will set up some samples with the ordinary wax . Have found flowcoat with proper prep to be far and away more durable than anything I have used.

Alex


twybrow - 17/10/07 at 09:33 AM

I am doing all of my body work using this method. Gelcoat + wax = flowcoat. To amke it sprayable, I am just adding acetone to thin the mixture to make it sprayable.


Alex B - 17/10/07 at 09:40 AM

Would like to see results of that mate. A lot cheaper than 2k and not as lethal.

Alex


twybrow - 17/10/07 at 12:11 PM

And as a further bonus, if you are crap at spraying (as I am) then gelcoat is much more forgiving. As the colour runs right throught the material, you just need to sand and polsih to improve the look.

I have been meaning to order the gelcoat for a while, but I have a few mods to do to the parts before I can spray them. when I do them, I will try to post a step by step guide to the process. As you say, much less lethal and cheaper than 2k paints. The major down side is the availability of colours.


Syd Bridge - 20/10/07 at 10:36 AM

Been away at work, so found this only today.

Flowcoat.............is usually thinned gelcoat(using styrene), with a bit of wax solution added.

If you are refinishing a boat, get on to Scott-Bader, and get some Glosscoat. They do their own thinner, but I use acetone. The Glosscoat uses standard mekp catalyst. Any of the pigments sold by SB can be added as well, so lots to choose from.

The stuff sprays from a normal gun nicely, and can get a fair finish straight off. I use it on patterns, and finish it by rubbing with 1200 then 1500, then G3 and G7.

I'm just about to spray my sons Laser using the same method as above, and the same as I did his 420. The final result can be stunning if time is taken.

Cheers,
Syd.


Alex B - 20/10/07 at 12:26 PM

Excellent Syd. Any possibility of giving another coat or is it to much hassle removing wax or maybe just not needed.
Are you getting to build coats up during spraying or is the first one your best?

Alex