Recoating Waxed Gelcoat Question

[windknotnc]

Well I finally have one coat of gelcoat on the floor and gunwalls but I have a question. I am using waxed gelcoat. Do I need to sand down between coats or can I wipe down with acetone and get the same results?

 

[Bryan 2530]

I would do both, waxed gelcoat should only be used for the last coat.

Is it pre mixed or can you leave the wax out??

 

[windknotnc]

It is premixed...I have learned a lot about this process....sadly after the fact. I guess I am going to sand, vacuum, and wipe with acetone....I should have put a heavier coat on the first time.

 

[gw204]

I just went through a very similar thing with my Mako project. I had gotten some bad advice from a tech where I bought my Vinylester, so I added wax to the last batch of resin I used when laying up the new outer transom skin. After talking to a few experts, I learned this was not necessary. In order to make sure the wax was removed and the surface was clean prior to bedding the core, I had to thoroughly grind the new glass with a 24 grit disk.

I was also told NOT to wipe with acetone. Appratenly, if there is any residual wax, the acetone will simply spread it around. So, after grinding, I vacuumed the surface thoroughly and simply wiped it down with a tack rag.

Sand the surface thorougly, vacuum it, tack rag it and put down another layer.

 

[Burtona]

IMO, a strong detergent soap like dishwashing liquid is the best way to get rid of the wax. Wash and rinse well a couple of times before sanding or you will just grind the wax into the gelcoat.