Gelcoat; Marine Wood Products - Columbia Coronado 25 Owenrs Manual

2.2 (continued)
Before the resin can be applied to fiber glass for a "bond" or lay-up", it
has to be catalyzed. The catalyst is an "agent" which works chemically to
cure the resin into a solid state.
Once a batch of resin has been "catalyzed", the "pot life", or time remaining
in which the resin can be worked effectively before it turns into a solid
mass, is very limited: Catalyzation of resin should be at the rate of 1/2 to
4% per volume - increasing with decreasing temperature. For example, on a hot
day (75-800) you will want to catalyze your resin with only about 1/2o per
volume. On colder days (50-600), you will want to add more catalyst.
NOTE: It is best to read the section on Resins
in Section 6 before experimenting with resins.
2.3 Gel Coat
The glossy, finished exterior color you see on a fiber glass hull or deck
is the gel coat. Gel coat is pure resin, catalyzed, and with the
appropriate color pigment added. The gel coat finish on your Sailcrafter
Yacht is very hard and needs no maintenance except for light waxing now and
then to retain the luster of the color.
Unlike the construction resins mentioned earlier, gel coat does not harden
in the presence of air. It is necessary to cover the gel coat with a
soluble "mold release coat" or a thin layer of flexible plastic such as
Saran Wrap.,-, once covered, curing takes place in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Gel coat colors, like other pigmented materials, are difficult to match. It is
recommended that Ram gel coats be used whenever possible. A quart of gel coat
for the hull and deck have been included in your component kit.
2.4

Marine Wood Products

The lumber used for the interior should be marine plywood, exterior
plywood, or teak. A/D grade may be used for most construction. Hardwood
finished plywood may be used if a natural finish is desired. The edges of
plywood panels and bulkheads will generally be finished with a strip of
solid
SECTION 2
Page 2