I seem to remember someone telling me that you need an air fed mask to spray gelcoat and that a cartridge mask is not sufficient, is that true?

I'm looking for an air compressor, the one i'm looking at is a 6 gallon rated at max pressure of 115PSI, and an air delivery of 3.5 CFM at 90 PSI, and 4.5 CFM at 40 PS. Will that be sufficient for gel-coating, biggest part is probably going to be a hood.

Depending what your using, east coast sell a polyester gel coat labelled specifically as sprayable which I have used in a normal spray gun many times, it tends to be the normal gel coats that you need a cup gun. The spray one can be pigmented etc to spray any colou

Thanks a bunch!

You will need a cup gun to spray gelcoat, also make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment, airborne gelcoat is nasty stuff. Best use disposable suit and full face mask.

The difference is the gelcoat will provide a protective layer, thus its used on boats and such applications, so that if damaged, you dont reach the fiber right away. It is also relatively UV stable depending on the product. Also, depending on additives, gel-coat can get very hard and polished to high gloss. Texture can be added etc, not really possible in infusion resin.

Clear 2K car paint works well for giving carbon parts a nice, high gloss finish. Also not so easy to use, but will give UV protection. There is also an in-mould coating which i will try one day, goes directly into the mould and saves spraying afterwards.

you HAVE to use a special spraygun for gelcoat

From what I've been reading gel-coating and clear coating achieve pretty much the same thing. Is there any advantage of one over the other? Also for gel-coating will a regular spray gun do the trick or is it necessary to use a gel cup gun? Thanks!