Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

GC50 gelcoat thinning

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic6354.aspx

By alex.mc - 6/6/2013 12:26:34 PM

Hello all, first post here.....

Has anyone thinned GC50 beyond the recommended 7-9% Styrene? I have some moulds which are quite involved in terms of spraying, requiring quite a bit of re-orientation to ensure coverage all over. The product is model yachts, and they are fairly critical on weight meaning that I cannot allow too much thickness of gelcoat.

I have tried 9% and it's getting there, but still a bit on the thick side for my application. Could I realistically go to say 15% and not affect the cure or chemical make-up of the cured gelcoat?

Thanks.
By carboncactus - 6/6/2013 3:29:26 PM

Try it, don't know if the resin will be thixotropic enough at those levels to not sag on vertical surfaces though.