Hello,

I am re-coat a canoe. I've done this before and all went well. But, this time I think either the surfacing agent was bad or I misapplied it.

It’s been a week since I applied the gelcoat. I applied 3-4 coats with a roller. Each had the correct amount of catalyst in it and was well mixed. The final coat had the surfacing agent in it, but I fear here is where I messed up. In prior gelcoat jobs the surfacing agent was clear, but it cooled it would turn “cloudy” — I assume the wax coming out of solution. This stuff had huge bits of wax floating around even at 75+ degrees.

The surface is "hard" in the sense that it isn't tacky, but I still get tiny amounts under my fingernail if I pick at it. It looks fine until some water gets on it and then it “spots” where the water touches it. After the water is gone the original color returns. I’ve attache a photo.

What are my options at this point? Would covering it with wax work? If I can find it, would PVA work? Or, do I need to sand? If I have to sand, how much? (I ****really*** hope I don’t have to remove all the new layers.)

Thanks so much for any advice.

Sincerely,

Samantha