Gel Coat

Ok so i got a few questions....   I have all my door panels in my bmw 325i painted with automotive paint and clear coat..  primed before the base was layed..    so after a while i noticed cracking... HMMMM FU_K!!!!    well  n  e ways sh*t happens..  so i wanted to know about this chem called "GEL COAT"  i have used fiberglass cloth/matt  and res and hardner.. i understand all concepts.. i just wanted to know how gel coat works were to get it.. and its sanding properties..

this is what primer and paint looks like but its not very durable..

Gel coat is mostly used for the finish on boats... if applied correctly, it will not crack, if taken care of correctly, the color will not fade...

Prepare gel coat for application by mixing the gel coat with 1 ½% - 3% Gel Coat Hardener and 25% acetone. (If being mixed in a humid climate add 30% Patch Aid in place of acetone. Acetone will alter the pigment of the gel coat in this type of climate.) Stir mixture very well. (Acetone and Patch Aid act as reducers so the gel coat can be sprayed through a spray gun.)

Allow gel coat to dry for 2 hours,  Sand repair area with wet (water soaked) fine 360 grit sand paper

negative, you mix a coloring agent into the gel coat, that is how you get your colors,, once you are done sanding, you wax and buff  =)  You'll have your shiny finish forever  =)

~Jay

Not trying to butt heads, but I've prepared and painted Gel coat before.  It is used by bodykit manufacturers to finish the body kits before they are shipped.  Gel coat evens everything out, like small pinholes.  U.S. composites carries a white tooling gel coat.  The pigment is used in automotive to distinguish the brands apart like the turqouis color is "AROGEAR" brand bodykits and orange is "BOMEX"  after sanding gel coat primer like a piece of finished fiberglass and paint and clear.  It should work and be durable if done correctly.  I'm not  a professional, so before taking my advice call U.S. Composites yourself and get help.  they're really helpful and friendly. 

U.S. composites

Sure you can paint it, it works fine.   You can also add the color right to the gel coat.  Search on the net for small watercraft repairs or what not and I'm sure you will find a helpfull guide to get you started on your project.  Gel Coat is a resin, so you can pretty much do anything to it paintwise that you could/would to fiberglass.

~Jay