How to Mix Gelcoat

Mixing gelcoat thoroughly with a catalyst hardener prior to application will ensure an even and sturdy finish. Always blend the resin well, so the final seal is smooth, without any patchy areas of unactivated gelcoat. Take pride in your work, and take the time to properly prepare a quality gelcoat that will last for years.

Instructions

1

Pour the amount of gelcoat that you estimate you'll need for the project into an unwaxed paper cup. (Waxed cups tend to release the wax into the mixture when the gelcoat is stirred.)

2

Add a few drops of MEKP (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) hardener to the cup of gelcoat. The gelcoat bottle will have instructions for how many drops of the catalyst to add by volume. Do not add more than the suggested amount, as this may cause visible cracks and integrity problems in the final gelcoat.

3

Use a new, clean craft stick to stir the two products together completely. Carefully scrape the sides and bottom of the cup to incorporate the two chemicals as thoroughly as possible. Don't be in a rush as you stir, since the catalyst does not begin to cause any hardening effect until about 30 minutes after it's combined with gelcoat.

4

Pour the mixture onto a plastic cutting board. Use the craft stick to get every drop out. Hold the cup no more than a couple of inches above the board, to prevent splashes during the transfer.

5

Use a flexible plastic spreader to work the resin together on the cutting board. Repeatedly spread the mix flat on the board, then scrape it back up into a pile. After you've done this a few times, the gelcoat is ready for application.