Hi guys,

Hi Vips,

Thanks for your post. That gelcoat does seem to have gone on suprisingly thinly - the tooling gelcoat is like cake mixture normally! - What temperature are you working at, my only guess is that you're at a much higher ambient temperature than 20C (which is the temp we usually work in).

Certainly, looking at where you are now I would be planning on multiple layers of gelcoat, particularly in the areas where it seems to have run away down to almost nothing. Remember to add your subsequent layers of gelcoat whilst the previous one is firmed up but still tacky - if you are working at a higher ambient than 20C then this window will be shorter than it normally would.

I hope this helps. Multiple gel applications are certainly called for, particularly on those thin looking areas.

Best regards, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Cheers for your quick reply Matt, much appreciated. 

Hi Vips,

OK, I'll be interested to hear how you get on.If the specific shape of your mould (and the temperature you work at) meansthat you still struggle to keep the gel on the vertical sides of the mould thenyou could look at adding colloidal silica to the gel, effectively making iteven thicker and reducing its propensity to 'flow' slowly. If you do add silicaalways remember to add a small amount at a time and agitate the mix thoroughly,then leave for a while, then agitate again. This will develop the full thickeningproperties of the silica.

I hope this helps, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

I concur with Matt, The gelcoat is normally thick like custard and I find I need to put the unmixed bucket of gel into a sink of hot water to decrease the viscosity so it can be mixed.

Certainly a strange situation you are having.

Hey guys,

Hi Vips,

You can find silica here. [Matt Edit: Thanks Joe!]

 



 


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