Hi, I am thinking of using some of your tooling gelcoat to make a mould off a part.  Does anyone know what kind of time (min and max) I need to wait between applying the first coat, and applying the second and then applying the layup?  I belive you cannot leave the gelcoat too long between coats as then the next layer will not adhere to it correctly.  Also can this gelcoat be used at 15 or 20 degrees c insted of 25 (I understand cure times will be longer)?

Aother question I have regarding this gelcoat is can it be used as a topcoat, I.E. applied over a layup and then sanded when cured?

Many thanks, lee.

Hi Leew,

Many thanks, I think I will try it on a test sample first.  The problem is I'm not around the layup 24/7.  I generally only have 6pm-11pm most days to work on my projects which makes things somewhat arkward if the best time to apply next layer turns out to be 3am or when I am at work.
Regarding temp, trying to heat my double garage to 25c and maintain it there for some time would cost a fortune in electricity so was thinking perhaps I could make a "hot box" from a box made from Kingspan containing some 50w downlights to provide heat and a thermostat to turn the lights on/off to maintain the tempreture in the box.  A small fan in the box may help keep the box an even tempreture.  Actually I may start a new topic in the general forum regarding how best to make a "hot box"
Anyway, would there be any problem doing the layup at a lower tempreture and then placing the part in the 'hot box' to cure it?

Epoxy gel coat will harden,only polyester won't that's why you add wax additive.

Ok, so I tried using this gelcoat for the first time and it was a bit of a disaster.  I put on the first layer of gelcoat at 20 degrees c, then waited 4 hours until I could pass a brush over it without leaving any mark but still slightly tackey, then second coat of gelcoat then reinforcement, anyway on the second pull from the mould I've managed to pull two chunks of the first layer of gelcoat off, grrrr!!!!  Time for attempt 2....

Due to my work meaning I don't very often get 8 hours all in one go, I was wondering is it possible to put the two layers of gelcoat on the mould, then leave it 24 hours, then sand it to give it a key before laying the reinforcement?  Will it be strong enough to not pull off in chunks when releasing parts from the mould.  I used 6 coats of easylease as a release.