flowcoat job

[fleagle]

Guys and Gals

Very soon intending to flowcoat the floor and a few other bits of an older model Seafarer. The floor is sound and has been replaced within the last couple of years but is a mix of straight fibreglass and newish and old flowcoat. The bit I am most uncertain about is how much surface preparation is required and what is the go - have been told a few things varying from using a grinder to roughen the surface to acid wash......

I don't have much glassing experience but imagine that the final result will depend on correct preparation of the surface. Am also interested to know if I need to vary the mix depending on weather and temp/humidity etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Tks

Fleagle

[Blackened]

Re: flowcoat job

G'day
Flowcoating is all very much straight forward. As for surface prep, wash the floor down and get it pretty clean. You can grind it up but just as easy is sanding it with some 40grt on an orbital. Wash down again and prep the area with acetone. The flowcoat and catalyst ratio is pretty consistant with directions on the packaging, just remember add more catalyst if it's cooler to make it go off quicker. Just mix it very very thorougly or you may end up with wet spots. Nice even coat like painting a wall.
Dave

[blaze]

Re: flowcoat job

minimum of 2 coats brushed (more if rolled)
Dont mix more than you can use in one go
dont paint yourself into a corner
LOTS OF VENTALATION (it can lay you on ya butt)
all info in above post is good
take care
cheers
blaze

[Blackened]

Re: flowcoat job

G'day
Good call about the painting into a corner and ventilation bit blaze. How many of us (who dare admit it) have done that!!
Dave

[blaze]

Re: flowcoat job

me

[drb]

Re: flowcoat job

Just curious why you recommend 2 coats Blaze.

Layers of polyester resin (which flow coat is a variety of) are designed to adhere to each two ways.

Chemically, which is why unwaxed laminating resin still remains sticky after curing or mechanically which is why you need to grind/sand old fibreglass before applying new fibreglass.

Flow coat cures without the sticky surface so theoretically if you apply a second coat you need to sand the first before doing so.

Dazz

[fishingjew]

Re: flowcoat job

AS blackend said 40 grit. tip go to hardwear store buy the biggest 4inch sanding belt cut that to fit your orbital long as its not a round one it will outlast any other sandpaper being cloth. I have an air one and even use it as wet and dry cuts down the dust. I have had success also in spraying flowcoat on thining with styrene monomer useing a low presure gun set at 60 psi if spraying invest in a $5.00 spray suit otherwise it gets a bit sticky 4 coats if spraying and plenty of acetone to wash out gun will post some pics of boat and canoe i have just finished all have been sprayed with flowcoat.

[fishingjew]

Re: flowcoat job

pic 2

[fishingjew]

Re: flowcoat job

pic3

[fleagle]

Re: flowcoat job

Thanks for responses guys.

Blackened in particular - kind of you to share your knowledge. Will follow your advice and take it on over the next couple of weekends. I appreciate your time and the peace of mind some genuine and independent opinions provides.

Thanks again

Fleagle

[Blackened]

Re: flowcoat job

G'day
No worries. Just take it easy and have fun.
Dave