Tinting Gelcoat

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Dan - 06 Mar 2008 13:10 GMT

I need to make some burgundy gelcoat.

I can start with neutral gelcoat at $48.00 / gallon and add pigments
to get exactly the color I want.

I can buy it already colored to a match, but it's $200.00 / gallon.

Other than using 4oz / gallon of pigment to color the gelcoat, what
else do I need to do?

I heard of a pull test. It ensures no transparency at 18 mils dry film
and also ensures it will cure with that much pigment in it.
What is a pull test? How do you do it?

What do I need to do to ensure the gelcoat will cure properly and
cover without being translucent?

I have waxed two pieces of glass, about 3 x 5" and placed tape buildup
along two edges to give me .018" separation. I plan to catalyze a
little gelcoat and let it kick between the glass to check if for
transparency and also make sure it gets hard. Any thoughts?

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Brian Cleverly - 07 Mar 2008 05:09 GMT

> I need to make some burgundy gelcoat.
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> little gelcoat and let it kick between the glass to check if for
> transparency and also make sure it gets hard. Any thoughts?

Take a look at the offerings at:

http://www.fiberlay.com/

Brian C

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Glenn Ashmore - 07 Mar 2008 11:42 GMT

A "pull test" is used to check the adhesion of paint on the substrate. I
don't think it has anything to do with how transparent it is. A real pull
test requires a rather expensive piece of equipment. A more DIY type test
would be to coat a sample substrate and let it cure. Then use a sharp knife
to cut a grid of 1/2" squares. Press some 3M 250 tape over the area, wait
10 seconds or so then jerk it off. If some square come off try a different
mix.

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Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

>I need to make some burgundy gelcoat.
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> little gelcoat and let it kick between the glass to check if for
> transparency and also make sure it gets hard. Any thoughts?

Reply to this Message

Boat Forum / Building / March 2008

Tinting Gelcoat