Hi,
I recently acquired a 1979 laser which has extensive blistering, so I have decided to refinish it as the gelcoat is not salvageable.
1. I have started grinding down the gelcoat, and have found the glass is very soft. I expected a loss of stiffness due to the glecoat removal, but not as much as I see. I'm not concerned as the hull should be stiffer once I apply fairing compound and a new finish. Or should I be concerned? If the glass has softened more than normal (how would I tell?) what can I do? Lay another layer of glass with a thin amount of resin to add strength before applying the fairing compound and finish?
2. Applying a new gelcoat seems like more trouble than it is worth. It's been recommended to me that an epoxy finish would be a better choice for refinishing this boat, as it is stronger, more flexible (less likely to have stress cracks) and easier to apply with much better results. I have scoured the web with no luck looking for resources abuot this. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?
3. What is the ILCA listed weight for the laser? I'd want to remain as true to that as possible.
Thanks! I appreciate any wisdom you all might have on this.
-- graham
I recently acquired a 1979 laser which has extensive blistering, so I have decided to refinish it as the gelcoat is not salvageable.
1. I have started grinding down the gelcoat, and have found the glass is very soft. I expected a loss of stiffness due to the glecoat removal, but not as much as I see. I'm not concerned as the hull should be stiffer once I apply fairing compound and a new finish. Or should I be concerned? If the glass has softened more than normal (how would I tell?) what can I do? Lay another layer of glass with a thin amount of resin to add strength before applying the fairing compound and finish?
2. Applying a new gelcoat seems like more trouble than it is worth. It's been recommended to me that an epoxy finish would be a better choice for refinishing this boat, as it is stronger, more flexible (less likely to have stress cracks) and easier to apply with much better results. I have scoured the web with no luck looking for resources abuot this. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?
3. What is the ILCA listed weight for the laser? I'd want to remain as true to that as possible.
Thanks! I appreciate any wisdom you all might have on this.
-- graham