UV from the sun is the enemy of gelcoat and if left unprotected long enough, it would eventually turn to powder. I used to work at a fiberglass manufacturer and some molds that were left outside for a couple of years all the gelcoat and resin disintergrated from the sun's UV and all that was left was fiberglass fabric. The dark colors absorb more UV than lighter color gelcoat and also show fading quicker. The dark blue colors look great when new, but over time the white will always look better. Can't go wrong with classic white.
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Gel Coat on dark colored Boats...
- Thread starter JAYROCK
- Start date
It is the crosslinked resin which fades and oxidizes not the pigment(usually metal oxides). The UV absorption of the resin in the gel coat is identical whether dark or light pigmented.. However since a dark pigmented gelcoat will be hotter than a light/white pigmented gelcoat, the oxidation process is slightly enhanced in a dark pigmented gelcoat. The reason that urethane paints hold up better than gel coat is due to the stronger more UV resistant bond of the urethane polymer.
I have owned two dark hulled gelcoated boats, one flag blue and one claret red. The blue boat was sold about three seasons after it was built, with no large amount of fade or chalking. The red boats gelcoat was finished four years after it was launched. The last season before we painted the red boat, I tried to wax two or three times during the season. The gelcoat would actually shine and then fade within hours of being in direct sunlight.
I ended up having the red boat painted with Awlgrip next year. Afetr seeing the difference, i really don't kow why any high end builder would use pigmented gelcoat instead of paint. The paint, if cared for, should provide 8-10 years of color retention and shine.
One other thing about dark gelcoat and heat. I have read elsewhere that dark color gelocat continues to cure for several years after removal from the mold.
Dan
I ended up having the red boat painted with Awlgrip next year. Afetr seeing the difference, i really don't kow why any high end builder would use pigmented gelcoat instead of paint. The paint, if cared for, should provide 8-10 years of color retention and shine.
One other thing about dark gelcoat and heat. I have read elsewhere that dark color gelocat continues to cure for several years after removal from the mold.
Dan