Can I clearcoat over gel coat without painting?

[stonegully]

I have a 2000 Intrigue that was never painted at the factory, only clear coated. The clear coat is about 70% off. Now what?

I looked at the easy way out, Zep and Polyglow and decided it was not the way to go in AZ after reading this forum.

I am nocking out...

option 1: painting in AZ. To expensive for a 19 year old coach. $13K-$20k

Option 2: painting in Rocky Point Mexico. $3,000. Full paint and clear coat. I have heard of great results in Mexico from 4 people including a local coach painter. My neighbor who was down there and took pictures of my coach to got the quote for me. Problem, my wife won't cross the border though I might consider going alone.

Option 3: a local guy says he has clear coated over the gel coat after proper prep, including several CCs, without problems. 3 local painting companies in Mesa said it won't work. He will guarantee it for as long as I own the coach though in AZ guarantees are not worth much.

Has anyone clear coated directly over gel coat. Since CC did this and it lasted for 14 years before it started flaking, I am inclined to think it will work.


Thanks for your input. This forum has been a great source since I found it 4 months ago.

[stonegully]

I should have said, I am talking about the sides, front and back, not the roof.

[Winemaker2]

I have done some touch up ares painting on boats and paint mfg recommends primer first then top coat to get good jobs w gelcoat.
Awlgrip sells a clear primer that should be usable w just clear coat but I haven't done it that way so would recommend research before.
Also I used Awlcraft 2000 made by Awlgrip but they have & sell 2 different systems. There are differences - both will work but application, care and future ability to go touch up are different so best to really do your homework. I can point you to more info if you get serious.
A good boat yard might be more helpful than auto body if o fly looking to clear coat gelcoat w/o a colored top coat first.

[Burfman]

Mine is basically the same as yours. I have friends in the paint business and my SIL is in the manufacturing of RV's and all have said NO, DON'T DO IT!. This process, clear coat over paint or gel coat must be done in specified time frame after the paint or gel is applied otherwise the clear will not adhere and just flake off.

I give mine a good buffing each year with machine glaze 1200 grit and follow with a good paste wax and the old gal looks great, in my eyes. I do follow up while traveling with WWA (wash wax all). It was designed for aircraft but works great while on the road.

I have also head good things about Rocky Point and the brothers over by Yuma.

Hope this helps, good luck and lets us know what you finally decide....

[deandec]

Well, your and my success at 12+ years of clear coat over gel coat is a pretty good testament.

But.....

I have applied Clear Coat over the same gel coat with only 3 years of adhesion. Of course I am a beginner amateur.

Boaters have done the same but I do not know of their success result.

I have currently applied Zep Wet Look to my gel coated only areas. If one does not routinely apply a fresh coat of Zep annually, you will probably have to remove the Zep and start over. Materials Cost of application on my rig was about $15. Cost of removal will be about $10 plus my several days labor. (About the same amount of time as waxing and machine buffing if you have to remove the Zep IMHO.)

At 24 years of age, the Clear Coat on my base coat painted surfaces is still 99% good.

Whatever Country Coach did with their paint process seems to provide great results and is probably hard to duplicate in the after market paint shop at today's prices of labor.

I do not know what the best solution is for a long term result unfortunately. But I will stick with the Zep solution due to its cost effectiveness.