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I recommend, instead, to spray a layer of PVA over the uncured and freshly sprayed gelcoat to cure it (using air-inhibited gelcoat of course adn allowing enough time for the styrene thinner to flash off - usually about 10 to 20 minutes). It's very dependable doing it this way.


You of course mean after the final coat of Gel, spray the pva.

I re-gelcoated my hulls this spring using just the wax mixed in the last coat and had no problems with curing.

Over thinning and not using the right amount of MEK can lead to problems.

The Styrene I used recommended no more than 25% by weight not volume to thin.


Perhaps that was part of my problem, but I have since done tests with various amount of thinning and various amounts of wax additives (all in the same day with relatively similar ambient conditions). I got crazy results. I just don't see any reason to not use the PVA when it's so goof proof. I got some great results while thinning at 40% and it seems to be doing just fine - but I guess I would probably recommend less thinning and a thicker nozzle (and more sanding of orange peel).

Jake Kohl