'57 Gel Coat

[Chuck Kroetsch]

I have done a body off restoration and am starting the gel-coat. It has been a long time since I stripped the paint and I have forgotten if the ends of the door were gel coated as well as other areas.

Were the following areas gel coated:
1.) Ends of the doors where the hinges are attached and the door striker

is as well as the bottom of the door.
2.) Underside of the hood.
3.) Underside of the trunk lid.
4.) the body were the door hinges attach, were the door striker is and the

step plate.
5.) The underside of the convertible top compartment lid.
6.) The inside of the trunk.
7.) The inside of the convertible top compartment area.
8.) The wheel wells.
9.) The inside of the gas filler area.

[Dennis C.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

Chuck, I believe no '57 bodies were "gel coated". Others, with superior knowledge, may have more informed opinions. Dennis

[Stephen W.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

press molded fiberglass with no gelcoat.

[Tracy C.]

Agree with Dennis...Gel-Coat is a boat deal

Primer Surfacer is all that was ever used and not too much at that. If you want factory finish go this route.

If you want to "over restore" I'd recommend a high quality 2 part urethane surfacer and stay away from spray-on Polyester based gel coat products. They are hard to sand and can screw-up good spray equipment because of limited pot life in the gun.

tc

[Joe L.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

Chuck-----

I don't think that Gel Coat was ever originally used on ANY Corvette, let alone as early as 1957. The use of Gel Coat is, I believe, more of an "aftermarket", body shop type type of thing. It may serve a very useful purpose in REFINISHING Corvettes, but I don't think that it was ever used at St. Louis or, even, Bowling Green.

[Stephen W.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

correct... early 'Glass was press molded and that evolved to SCM ( sheet molded compound). SCM does have a surface that kinda looks like a "gelcoat" but its not. Gelcoat is the shiny white stuff on the outside of a boat. Boats are generally not painted. The gelcoat is the colored layer that is sprayed in the boat mold first. The gelcoat provides the exterior surface and protection for the fiberglass. On a Corvette the paint process provides the exterior surface and protection. I also agree with the earlier post about the refinish product that gets very hard. Not only is it hard to sand it also is very difficult for adhesion. I looked at lot of these cars with paint delamination problems. I recomend you visit your local ppg jobber and get your local reps phone number. He can set you up with a complete system to refinish your car.

[Dennis C.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

Chuck - This "Gel Coat" terminology tends to become used and abused, with little attention to reality. For years, I have applied Morton's "Eliminator 100" to bare fiberglass. It is a super, duper catilized product that tends to duplicate what a "gel coat" would do. I love the stuff, but ask 5 other painters, and get 5 more opinions on what religion, paint or political party they subscribe to. Best, Dennis

[Mike M.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

agree no 57's were gel-coated BUT 53 and early 54 panels had a white gel-coat like material applied on the exposed surfaces of some of the panels. mike

[Terry F.]

Re: '57 Gel Coat

I believe Ecklers sold a gellcoat that was was difficult to sand and work with. There are other products out there that are probably better and easier to work with. Ask around and you will find something. I would talk to the panel manufactures and they should have a good opinion. Terry