New Gel Coat on the Beachcomber - Any Ideas?

[Lisa_Pizza]

Hello All,

Thank you to everyone that has been beyond helpful to us (Lisa+Sarah) during our Beachcomber build. Since taking the Beachcomber from the frame, we've been sanding it down.

A few methods used to take off the old Vynl Decal:

1) Rubber wheel + drill



2) Heat gun + Razor


Method 1 took a considerable amount of effort, after rubbing off the decal, the rubber needs to be scraped off and even then it's not clean. I don't recommend this to people, the heat gun was well worth the investment and took 1/10 the time. The remaining adhesive comes off with a razor if you use goo-gone on it and leave it for 20min then scrape.

Now for the next steps!!

We're in Calgary and need to find some primer for the fibreglass. I'm very interested in a gel coat because it seems like it lasts very nicely and protects the shell. Would anyone be able to give me some pointers towards stores (Marine, Trailer or Autobody etc.) places with knowledgeable people I can talk to face-to-face? Or just any stories or links that people found useful would be awesome.

I spoke to the owner of U-wrench and was thinking of applying the paint myself there. I've got painting experience but only in residential paints, nothing of the trailer sort.

Any information or feedback would be awesome thanks!

[NomadWizard]

Hi Lisa,
... have 50+ years working with composites and willing to give u suggestions.
... in film industry, exotic car & helicopter from scratch builds, boats, repairs, plugs/bucks etc., etc.
...feel free to call me anytime
... 306*594*4770

[NomadWizard]

... call anytime
..306*594*4770
Cheers
David

[David Tilston]

I like Industrial Plastics & Paint:
https://www.goindustrial.ca/index.php/en/

[pault]

I bought my paint from Industrial Paint and Plastics here in Calgary. They specialise in fiberglass and plastic repair materials.
I used a brand of paint called Corrostop. There are several basic pre mixed colours, or they can make a custom colour from a paint store chip. It is actually designed for metal rust proofing, but they also recommended it for fiberglass.
I also didn't spray the paint on, I used a method called roll and tip. Basically you use a good quality paint roller to apply the paint, then lightly drag a dry brush over to take out any bubbles or orange peel the roller leaves. My trailer came out very well and you can't tell it wasn't a spray job until you get a couple of feet away. Also no worries about runs and other problems if you have never spray painted before. There are lots of good videos on You Tube that show how to do it.

[Lisa_Pizza]

Sounds good seems like that is the consensus! Thanks everyone

[pault]

Lisa, if you are interested and would like to see what a roll and tip paint job looks like, just PM me through this forum and we can set up a meet for you and Sarah to come over and look at my trailer. I can also show you a few before and after pictures I took of the process.