I'm monitoring both the Europa site and the GlaStar site (not having made a
final decision as to which route to go). There's a considerable discussion
in the GlaStar archives concerning gelcoat and getting small quantities of
gelcoat to cover seams, etc. I thought I'd copy and paste one comment that
might be relevant. This concerns a GlaStar being built at the
Stoddard-Hamilton factory:
"I was listening to Ted Setzer talk to Jim Londo when Jim was building
his 'Star in the factory. Ted recommends using an air-powered vibrating
sanding block and taking the time to sand off most of the gel-coat.
The gel coat will shrink over time and show the glass weave. He said
to use overlapping 45 degree strokes in a criss-cross pattern till you
can almost see the weave. He said that this will get rid of a lot of
weight also. Then, spray on a filler, sand, prime & paint. I know it's
a lot of extra work, but you get a Glasair-like finish."
Other verbage suggests removal of virtually all of the gelcoat before
painting???? I have no idea how valid this is, but thought I'd share it.
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