Gel coating is a good UV protective coating, but there are other good UV coatings that can be used. For a number of years I just used a good quality marine varnish coating made for UV protection on my strip built boats. These coatings worked fairly well, but varnish is not very tough and abrasion resistant. Presently I use the system three WR-LPU top coat with a cross link hardener, which is far superior to varnish in durability. It is water based and much more environmentally friendly. This topcoat can be a clear coat or pigmented to a desired color. Other manufacturers have introduced similar top coatings. This top coating will just add a few ounces to your boat's weight.
UV protection coatings
(5 posts) (3 voices)-
stripbuilder
MemberThe WR-LPU is a polyurethane. The first kayak I tried it on was an eight year old strip built one that had probably had around 10 coats of varnish over the years. I just sanded it well and applied it. You have to put it on fast because it dries quickly. You want to get rid of all the wax and have the surface clean and sanded with 220 or higher paper on your R/O sander.
Posted 8 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
Memberthanks SB,
Perfect timing. The weather & my schedule has prevented me from sprucing up my boat since the EC, though it looks like both might be clearing up by next weekend. I'll probably give it a try if I can find it here in the Philly area. A quick catalogue search on the West Marine site came up nil. Can you name the other mfr's with similar top coats?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Good morning, Im looking at about 3 layers of kevlar , then sume ribs& stringers of carbon /foam sandwich ,no gelcoat ,coated with aUV protectrant , Im going to flop mold this of one of my favorit skin on frame kayaks . I think the cros linked coting mentiond may be the anser to no gel coat !
Posted 8 years ago #
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