So my first catamaran project with a 1993 Mystere 6.0 is quickly coming to a close. I'm so excited! First off thank you to everyone for all your insight and help getting me this far. I have reinforced the bulkheads, removed and resealed the hull lids, Patched multiple small cracks and holes, and reinforced some areas with extra layers of fiberglass. I believe now is the time to begin repainting and finishing the hulls. Is that correct? Is it time to start thinking paint? I still need a rigger to do new shrouds and evaluate the mast but I am trying to control and accomplish what I can before sending the boat elsewhere.
I have read mixed ideas about whether you can layer gel coat on top of other gel coat. Where I am currently is this; there are three surfaces at the moment in the hulls
1) Factory Surface (old original gell coat
2) Repaired areas m. Theses are a combination of new epoxy/ fiberglass, small hole patch like Bondo-Fiber, or squeezed out epoxy from the hull lids.
3) gelcoat covered Fiberglass where the original owner did a repair and gel coats over it. The catch here is when I unpacked Rubbermaid tubs of spare parts there was a spray can of white primer. The surface is smooth and"thick" like gel coat but I'm not sure if there is primer underneath or if he just used it where else.
My game plan was to
1) take 80grit sandpaper to the twosome or patched areas to smooth the transitions between new fiberglass and old gel coat as well as knockdown high spots from the PO's or Jon trendiest the bottom of the hulls
2) move to 120GRIT Ion an orbital sander to flatten and smooth the other repairs and scuff the factory surface
3) Wipe down the entire surface with acetone or mineral spirits and then brush on the new gel coat, Sand with 300+ to remove the brush marks and then while down and apply a wax
I'm sure I have made some nasty assumptions ( like in not sure how this will work on the kids that have some texture. Someone also suggested a thin bead of silicone where the lid meets the hull just to full small gaps and ensure there aren't any gaps - bad idea? ) but I am really excited that the structural repairs are done and this and the rigging are the final steps before getting out on the water.
Edited by jgregs on Feb 26, 2022 - 08:46 AM.