Hi,

Very new here - so go easy on me; but help appreciated if possible.

I have a reasonably decent size GRP sailing yacht, which is quite old, and the gel coat is suffering a lot in discolouration. Most problematically there is a lot of fine crazing. This isnt structural stress related, but is rather fairly uniform across the decks and coachroof seemingly from uv deg or possibly the gel coat being laid up a bit thick back in the 80s. Any painting over the gel coat as is would likely just show through the crazing in time. The extent of crazing makes it impossible to feasibly open all the cracks and fill; while the boat value doesn’t make gel coat stripping viable at all.

I have had a few people recommend the gel coat can be skim coated with an epoxy resin (after a thorough clean and keying in parts) to form a new smooth base (possibly after some sanding) on to which a paint coat can be applied.

This seems like the way forward and a cost and effort I’m willing to take on, but I’m trying to decide on the best epoxy for the job. The variables I have to work to are:

* will need to skim coat both flat, vertical and angled surfaces, which I guess mean high viscosity?
* will be applying in the open air, or at best under a tent; so dust control will be challenging; but I also quite an area to cover;
* would like to try and do over the winter, while boat is out of water, but this mean I need something tolerant to lower temps or that can mixed to compensate for lower temps; or possibly wait for warmer days;
* needs to be paintable, if necessary after sanding;
* would like a strong hard surface, but likewise GRP does tend to flex somewhat, so a degree of flexibility might be necessary

I realise that some of these and at odds so compromise needed. However, I’m not chasing a 100% perfection.

any help appreciated?


John