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Gelcoat: What It Is, How It’s Used, and How to Repair It Gelcoat is the outermost protective and cosmetic layer used on fiberglass parts. Understanding how gelcoat works — and how to apply or repair it correctly — is critical to achieving long-lasting performance and professional results. What Is Gelcoat? Gelcoat is a pigmented polyester or vinyl ester resin applied to the surface of fiberglass parts. It creates a smooth, high-gloss finish while protecting the underlying laminate from wat...

Professional Awlgrip Guidance — Explained Clearly Awlgrip coatings are professional-grade marine finishes. When applied correctly, they deliver unmatched durability and appearance — but they are also process-sensitive. Our technical guidance follows the same application principles outlined in Awlgrip’s official application documentation, translated into clear, real-world advice for boat owners, repair shops, and first-time painters. Common Awlgrip Application Issues We Hel...

Polyester vs Vinyl Ester Resin: Understanding the Differences Choosing the correct resin is one of the most important decisions in fiberglass lamination. Polyester and vinyl ester resins are both widely used in open molding, hand lay-up, and spray-up applications, but they offer different performance, durability, and cost characteristics. Understanding how these resin systems differ will help you select the right material for your project, environment, and performance requirements. ...

Boat Restoration Technical Support Guide Last updated: February 2026 Boat restoration is the process of repairing, rebuilding, and refinishing fiberglass boats to restore structural integrity, appearance, and long-term performance. This technical support guide serves as a master reference for understanding materials, repair methods, and best practices used in modern fiberglass boat restoration. This page is designed as a living knowledge base. Each section below will continue ...

Awlgrip Yacht Paint Application Guide Complete professional guide to surface preparation, priming, fairing, and applying Awlgrip marine coatings. Built for boat builders, professional painters, and first-time users who want a flawless finish. Guide Contents Overview of Awlgrip Coating Systems Surface Preparation Fundamentals Preparing Fiberglass & Gelcoat Preparing Aluminum Preparing Steel Preparing Wood Fairing Compounds & Surface Correction...

Fiberglass Surface Preparation for Awlgrip Paint Before applying Awlgrip mer or topcoat systems, fiberglass surfaces must be properly cleaned, sanded, and prepared. Contamination such as wax, mold release agents, oil, or oxidation will prevent pricoatings from bonding correctly. Need help with a project? Call our coatings team: 321-639-3046 Quick Answer: How Do You Prep Fiberglass for Awlgrip? Clean the surface to remove wax, oil, grease, and contamination Use t...

Hullgard Extra Epoxy Primer Application Guide How and Why to Use Hullgard Extra Hullgard Extra Epoxy Primer is a high-build, anticorrosive substrate primer designed to create a stable foundation for fairing compounds and finishing systems. It is commonly used after corrosion primers like Max Cor CF to build film thickness, improve adhesion, and prepare surfaces for Awlfair and topcoat systems. This primer is ideal for aluminum, steel, and fiberglass substrates where long-term durab...

Fiberglass Fillers Guide: Aerosil, Q Cell, Fairing & Structural Fillers Explained What Are Fiberglass Fillers? Fiberglass fillers are powders, fibers, or pre-mixed compounds used with polyester resin or epoxy resin to create custom mixtures for marine, repair, and composite applications. They are commonly used in: Fiberglass boat repair Marine fairing and surface preparation Composite construction Surfboard building --- Types of Fiberglass Fillers (What to Use and W...

MEKP Catalyst Calculator & Mixing Guide (oz, mL, cc) MEKP Catalyst (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) is used to cure polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, and gelcoat. The correct mix ratio is critical to ensure proper curing, strength, and finish quality. Standard mix: 1.5% MEKP (about 2 oz per gallon of resin). Important Mixing Notes This information is based on MEKP 925 and tested at 77°F (25°C) . These are estimates and may vary depending on the resin system, shop conditions, and ap...