Guide Coat?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 293
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From: Woodland Hills CA
Guide Coat?
I am doing a lot of bodywork on my 1965 convertible. A lot of fiberglassing, VPA'ing, replacing panels, etc. What does everyone recommend I use to help when I am block sanding to identify highs, lows, etc. When I have worked in the past on metal bodies I would use dark primer rattle cans. What is recommended on raw fiberglass?
What about Fibreglass Evercoat (FIB721) Guide Coat, Black, Aerosol?
What about Fibreglass Evercoat (FIB721) Guide Coat, Black, Aerosol?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I do not use anything when blocking my body work out. I go entirely by feel. And being able to 'read' how the sandpaper is sanding the surface. I can find low spots of significant value without even having to feel it. The body does not have to be perfect. I do not worry about it due to all of the gelcoat or polyester primer I apply...any minor areas will get filled in. It has everything to know what to do on that first coat of gelcoat or polyester primer. But...when I am blocking any sprayed product ...such as primer. I use the 3M Dry Guide coat. I stopped using any spray guide coats a long time ago.
Spraying anything on your bodywork..regardless of what it is (VPA or raw fiberglass)...that you plan of sanding off...you would have to make sure that you grind or sand it all off before you go in and add more material....which is why I go by feel. I save that step and costs of spray-able product..or even the Dry Guide Coat material.
This is just my opinion on this.
DUB
Spraying anything on your bodywork..regardless of what it is (VPA or raw fiberglass)...that you plan of sanding off...you would have to make sure that you grind or sand it all off before you go in and add more material....which is why I go by feel. I save that step and costs of spray-able product..or even the Dry Guide Coat material.
This is just my opinion on this.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Woodland Hills CA
I do not use anything when blocking my body work out. I go entirely by feel. And being able to 'read' how the sandpaper is sanding the surface. I can find low spots of significant value without even having to feel it. The body does not have to be perfect. I do not worry about it due to all of the gelcoat or polyester primer I apply...any minor areas will get filled in. It has everything to know what to do on that first coat of gelcoat or polyester primer. But...when I am blocking any sprayed product ...such as primer. I use the 3M Dry Guide coat. I stopped using any spray guide coats a long time ago.
Spraying anything on your bodywork..regardless of what it is (VPA or raw fiberglass)...that you plan of sanding off...you would have to make sure that you grind or sand it all off before you go in and add more material....which is why I go by feel. I save that step and costs of spray-able product..or even the Dry Guide Coat material.
This is just my opinion on this.
DUB
Spraying anything on your bodywork..regardless of what it is (VPA or raw fiberglass)...that you plan of sanding off...you would have to make sure that you grind or sand it all off before you go in and add more material....which is why I go by feel. I save that step and costs of spray-able product..or even the Dry Guide Coat material.
This is just my opinion on this.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Now the dry guide coat can be sued on top of the cured gelcoat...especially if it a light color. I use black gelcoat and do not need anything because I can immediately tell how the sanding is going due to the change in the color when the black gelcoat is sanded....versus un-sanded black gelcoat.
DUB
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Dub,
After guide coating and blocking the gelcoat you still need to primer with something like slickand or Evercoat primer before painting correct?
Gary
After guide coating and blocking the gelcoat you still need to primer with something like slickand or Evercoat primer before painting correct?
Gary
YES. You can use the Dry Guide Coat on the polyester primer to get it correct.
Now the dry guide coat can be sued on top of the cured gelcoat...especially if it a light color. I use black gelcoat and do not need anything because I can immediately tell how the sanding is going due to the change in the color when the black gelcoat is sanded....versus un-sanded black gelcoat.
DUB
Now the dry guide coat can be sued on top of the cured gelcoat...especially if it a light color. I use black gelcoat and do not need anything because I can immediately tell how the sanding is going due to the change in the color when the black gelcoat is sanded....versus un-sanded black gelcoat.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
YES...I do. I apply a polyester primer to make sure I get it REALLY RIGHT after I have already blocked the gelcoat. I do NOT put paint on top of gelcoat directly...and in VERY RARE cases... due to carbon fiber or a gelcoated fiberglass part used for a drag race car...I will apply sealer to the part and then paint on it to save on weight.
DUB
