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Hi Frank, My existing FRP tanks are made with polyester resin, and since I'm not planning on using them, except as plug molds, and later, wall decor, I'll just use the basic polyester boat resin on them. If some one wanted to purchase them for sub use, they would be in perfect condition to receive a good coat or two of marine grade gel coat, and then they would be good to go diving with. I don't know what type of PVA your using but the Partall Film No. 10 I've been using is really easy to wash off with water. I just take it out and hose it down. Wait a few minutes for it so soften up more and hose most of it off with out even touching it. Then I just lightly whipe or brush the rest off, as I spray it with the hose. I've used the PVA on molds without any mold release wax on them with no trouble. Ya I know I'm a brave soul. ;} Pirate remember I just brush most of my PVA on so I don't have to clean the gun out, unless I need a smooth coat. Then I just spray it on with the pneumatic automotive type paint gun. For the new FRP parts I'll be using vinyl ester resin and gel coat from the local plane float manufacturer, Aerocet. They use the same brand for a killer bond that keeps the gel coat from blistering while the floats sit in the marina for years. I may very well just infusion mold my new parts as they do. Since it's a great process I wish to learn, and this first sub project is a test bed for many things for me. Regards, Szybowski From: ShellyDalg@aol.com Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:05:49 -0400 Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Gel Coat Type for Depth To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org Hi Brent, I'm using "structural lay-up" resin for the first color coats with white pigment. The final color coat will be with "marine grade" resin because of it's anti water absorption properties. Regular gel coat is a common product for boats but the added resistance to water absorption in the marine grade is better when you consider the pressures these fairings are under while submerged.
I've not tried the baby powder trick yet, and the PVA is generally a big pain in the ass. I'm using it as a coating on the plug molds and recently on the "wing" molds but it doesn't just "wash off" like the literature suggests. Pretty much have to sand it to get it gone.
Frank D.
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