Need a Sources of "Styrene" for Gelcoat Repair
 

I am about to repair some areas of the gelcoat skin of my fiberglass
boat. I am supposed to use something called "styrene" to be brushed on
the old gelcoat in order re-activate the gelcoat for a better bonding
between the old and the new gelcoat. And I am also supposed to use it
as a thinner to thin the gelcoat before spraying it using a Preval
spray gun. But I cannot find it in Home Depot or local marine supply
stores (such as BoaterWorld). Does it go by a different name? Where
can I find it? Can I use acetone instead?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jay Chan

Need a Sources of "Styrene" for Gelcoat Repair
 

You can sand the old gelcoat as prep. Make sure it is free of any waxes
first. I'm not sure what to recomend as a thinner. I do know that acetone
is really dangerous and I would not use it for a thinner.

wrote in message
ups.com...
I am about to repair some areas of the gelcoat skin of my fiberglass
boat. I am supposed to use something called "styrene" to be brushed on
the old gelcoat in order re-activate the gelcoat for a better bonding
between the old and the new gelcoat. And I am also supposed to use it
as a thinner to thin the gelcoat before spraying it using a Preval
spray gun. But I cannot find it in Home Depot or local marine supply
stores (such as BoaterWorld). Does it go by a different name? Where
can I find it? Can I use acetone instead?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jay Chan

Need a Sources of "Styrene" for Gelcoat Repair
 

Thanks for suggesting using sanding as a way to provide a mechanical
bonding between the old and the new gelcoat. Actually, I know about
this. The fiberglass repair book suggested us to brush styrene on the
old gelcoat after sanding in order to provide not only a mechanical
bonding, but also a slight chemical bonding between the old and the new
getcoat. This only provides a very slight improve on bonding anyway.
Therefore, I can live without it.

Thanks for the warning of using acetone as a thinner. I have come
across another product that can thin the gelcoat and doesn't alter the
gelcoat color and is supposed to provide a better way to bend in the
color of the old and the new gelcoat. It is called Duratec Clear and
there are similar products from other companies. I guess this means I
really don't need to use styrene afterall. I will see how it works
when I need to apply the gelcoat using the Preval spray gun.

Jay Chan


James wrote:
You can sand the old gelcoat as prep. Make sure it is free of any waxes
first. I'm not sure what to recomend as a thinner. I do know that acetone
is really dangerous and I would not use it for a thinner.

wrote in message
ups.com...
I am about to repair some areas of the gelcoat skin of my fiberglass
boat. I am supposed to use something called "styrene" to be brushed on
the old gelcoat in order re-activate the gelcoat for a better bonding
between the old and the new gelcoat. And I am also supposed to use it
as a thinner to thin the gelcoat before spraying it using a Preval
spray gun. But I cannot find it in Home Depot or local marine supply
stores (such as BoaterWorld). Does it go by a different name? Where
can I find it? Can I use acetone instead?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jay Chan