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Tribute Automotive Builds Discuss your Tribute kit build |
8th November 2018, 04:39
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 309
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Flowcoat whilst panel installed/alternatives?
Hi guys,
Looking to fit the front clam on my 275 project on the weekend and thinking of the potential of minimising the time (and the fact the weather is variable and I am limited with indoor/outdoor space to coat it and store it) by fitting it and preparing/coating the underneath surfaces with flowcoat whilst installed on the car.
I am thinking as long as the temperature and the hardener mix is suitable there shouldn’t be an issue with coating horizontal or vertical surfaces but without experience I am canvassing for thoughts. Trip ups or issues that you can think of? Alternatives if not using flowcoat in this setup? Appreciate any thoughts.....cheers!
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8th November 2018, 06:46
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Oxon
Posts: 1,123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Welshkiwi
Alternatives if not using flowcoat in this setup? Appreciate any thoughts.....cheers!
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When my Z300S was painted recently, the underside of the bonnet moulding was given a coat of the white two-pack finish to seal it. Obviously it did not smooth the surface in the way that a flowcoat would.
However, this solution would work with the bonnet in any position.
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8th November 2018, 07:28
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 326
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I have just painted the inner faces of bonnet and rear clam on my RS200 replica (MRS200 kit) with them fitted to the car (bonnet raised and propped up). I just went for satin black exterior oil based paint as I wasn’t bothered about too thick a finish as I will be fitting wheel arch liners, nor too smooth a finish.
Worked well and the paint was quite thick so didn’t really run. Needed a few acrobat moves to get inside the clam and under the arch areas, but the paint takes about 18 hours to really dry and set so I didn’t have enough space to take my rear clam off and store overnight along with the car itself.
Last edited by SwiftyDS; 8th November 2018 at 07:37..
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8th November 2018, 08:32
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 238
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I've used gelcoat on the inside of the roof and the inside of the vertical bulkhead behind the seats of my Dino. I just smoothed it on with the same spreader I used for filler, if you put enough on to just cover the surface it won't sag.
When it got to the stage of still being tacky I covered it with clingfilm to exclude the air and speed up the drying time as gelcoat drying is air inhibited (which is why they put wax in gelcoat to make flowcoat, the wax floats to the surface and forms a barrier to air)
I tried using flowcoat but was not happy with the finish, it has a dull sheen unlike the shine you get with gelcoat. I suppose I could remove the wax with solvent but it seems like unnecessary extra work to me.
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8th November 2018, 14:17
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,401
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Truck bed liner in a spray can works a treat!
I used flex-seal.
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8th November 2018, 17:26
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: norfolk
Posts: 693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilF355
When it got to the stage of still being tacky I covered it with clingfilm to exclude the air and speed up the drying time as gelcoat drying is air inhibited (which is why they put wax in gelcoat to make flowcoat, the wax floats to the surface and forms a barrier to air)
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That's the seed of doubt that made me use matt black cellulose under the bonnet of my Quantum..... If the wax floats to the surface, will it work if the panel's upside-down? ie will it float 'down' or does it work by being less dense - like oil on water? I'll have to satisfy my curiosity one day.
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8th November 2018, 19:21
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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It floats to the surface of the gelcoat no matter the orientation of the part.
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8th November 2018, 19:26
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: norfolk
Posts: 693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by molleur
It floats to the surface of the gelcoat no matter the orientation of the part.
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Ooer - I wonder how that happens?
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8th November 2018, 19:29
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,401
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It's called the exothermic effect. The heat generated by the catalyzed gelcoat drives the wax to the surface.
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9th November 2018, 04:19
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 309
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Loving your work guys!
Cheers for the inputs fellas, certainly looks as if I have some options based on your feedback.
Still interested in flowcoat for a substantial “bond” to the fibreglass and from what you all suggest etc painting in the installed position.
Looks like I will fit it so I can work out harness routing, studs, clips etc as well as heat blanket fixing and then once all that is sorted quickly remove it, prepare and coat the bracket locations and then re-install it and finish on the car.....cheers
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9th November 2018, 07:24
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Oxon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Welshkiwi
...once all that is sorted quickly remove it, prepare and coat the bracket locations and then re-install it and finish on the car...
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I fixed the cable clips using Tiger Seal onto the bare grp first and then the underbonnet paint was sprayed over all.
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9th November 2018, 08:14
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Egham, Surrey
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I found that the flow coat gave a really nice finish for very little effort. I changed the colour halfway through the build so just gave the flow coat a good clean with acetone to get rid of the wax and recoated in another colour without any problem.
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9th November 2018, 08:23
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Oxon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaguartvr
I found that the flow coat gave a really nice finish ...
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I was disappointed that the paint shop I chose "did not use flowcoat" but the final effect of the paint over the underneath of the bonnet is acceptable.
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