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When bonding over gelcoat (like header tanks or cowlings) does every speck of the gray gelcoat have to be removed, or is it sufficient to merely take the shine off?

That coating is TOUGH!

I've been removing all of it, and am almost done on the header tank, but the cowling comes later.  Prorbably not so bad on the cowling where sanding machines can be used, but the little nooks and crannies on the header tank are a pain and require a lot of hand sanding.  I know the epoxy won't stick to the shiny gelcoat -- I've been able to peel off cured epoxy with my fingernail -- but what about roughed up gelcoat?  I've never tried that.

For that matter, will paint stick to the shiny gelcoat?

- Rob Wolf

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.