Is it ever too cold to gelcoat?

[BenL]

Hello all,

I have gelcoat kit that Dusky sent me to patch some cracks where they put the first set of scuppers that were too far from the corners of the boat and they moved them, and where the scuppers used to be have cracks, nothing big, just some circular cracks. My question is, as here in Massachusetts where the daytime temps are now only in the 60's and will only be in the 50's soon, is it ever too cold to apply the gelcoat that they sent me?

[offshore]

I beleive that the gelcoats I have used say60degrees is the lowest temp. It doesent take long for it to set but the cooler it is the longer it takes. I have never done any gelcoat work below 70degrees and it took much longer to cure than at 80+....Mark

[BenL]

Thanks. If it will just take longer, I'll do it sometime this week as it does get cold at night nowadays, there are freeze warnings even. I have the time to wait though.

[offshore]

I would wait for a warm day to do it.It will set in about 1 hour and a little longer till you can sand and buff.I like to wait atleast aday to wetsand and buff, If you dont the new gelcoat will be softer and when you polish you might get a small depression where the new gelcoat is..Mark

[Kern O]

Do it and set a light up under it to keep it warm. Not too hot and not too close, but it is surprisingly easy to keep it warm.

[offshore]

Originally Posted by Kern O

Do it and set a light up under it to keep it warm. Not too hot and not too close, but it is surprisingly easy to keep it warm.

Great Idea I never tried this.. Mark