Originally Posted by
blacklab
OK, As the title suggests, I shall be attempting to do some Flow coating for the first time next weekend.
I'm flow coating the inside sides of my boat.
It's had a new transom, stringers one piece floor, which has been flow coated grey.
I took a 120 sanding disc over the existing old flow coating, pretty sure I've given it a good going over.
An acetone washdown should have actually been done first. Reason being is that with flowcoat, the wax floats to the surface which provides the non sticky feel. Straight gelcoat would leave a tacky feel when cured. So grinding first does contaminate the surface. A 36 grit disc or even a grinder would be better to key it in. 120 grit is a bit light on.
Was then going to vacumme up spotless, then give it all a good acetone wipe down, just prior to starting.
So It's not horizontal, which I'm picking would be easier to do, rather than the side walls and full length shelves etc.
Flowcoat is self leveling and is easy to use on even overhead surfaces.
So, as I have to do the full length shelves and under them, around them etc, what would the best approach.
I figured that it would be better to mix up small amounts at a time, due to working time.
How much would you mix up in batches at a time ?.
when finishing one area, mixing up another batch, can you actually lap into the previously applied patch ? how much time do I have.
This all depends on the surface area to be covered. I would be mixing at 1% catalyst in this warmer weather and be working under cover to keep UV exposure at a minimum (UV speeds up the cure which can prevent the wax floating to the surface and leaving the result tacky). Inside a garage is the best option. Obviously you need to mask off the new floor flowcoat. The trick with flowcoating is keeping a wet line. This is very easy inside the small area of a boat. Basically go in both directions at the same time so you maintain a wet edge at each side.
A tip for mixing is use a ROUND bucket. Square buckets make it too easy to not properly mix the catalyst through the brew. Spend a good 2 minutes mixing the catalyst through the flowcoat.
You need several buckets because as the remnants go off in the bucket if you mix a new brew you will get lumps in your new brew. You will likely get say 2x 1kg brews before you risk bits (assess that on the day). Then start a new bucket. 1kg will give you good coverage within the working time of the pot.
Also, having mixed information with regards to the best way to apply it, some say brush, others say small rollers.
Any wisdom shared would be very much appreciated.
Definitely brush it on. Use a 4inch brush for fast coverage and a 1inch brush for fiddly areas. As a guide you should use about 600grams flowcoat per square metre.
It's an old boat, I'd like it to look reasonable, but I'm not anal about it, alot of it will be obscured by the shelf covers, but still enough seen for me to try and do it half decently.
Reason for doing it, fibre glasser couldn't match the Goldy/ yellow type existing finish, so went plain grey with the floor, so trying to blend it in to the floor..........
Col