Leaving it in red gelcote

[Packer fan]

How many people have left there mk4s in red gelcote?

I am contimplating leaving the car in the red gelcote for a year or so before geting it painted.

How difficult is it to get rid of the mold lines and make it look half way decent?

Thanks,
Jim

[CraigS]

That is a very common and good idea.

[skidd]

I'm only 2 weeks in.. but.. that's what I'm doing. I left the parting lines alone too. I just set my panel gaps.. left them pretty tight actually.. and am driving it around as we speak. I plan to drive it this way until about July/Aug... when it's a bit toooo hot down here.. then I'll send her for Paint.

[MPTech]

I ran mine in gel-coat the first driving season and highly recommend it, you get to enjoy it sooner and you can schedule to have the paint & body-work done over the off-season, while you're working on the interior & carpet (also gives you an opportunity to flush out any issues the first driving season and address them when the body comes off for paint).

Mine made our club calendar in gel-coat.
20131231 Photshoot04.jpg

[MPTech]

double post

[GoDadGo]

I will likely go RED-GEL before going RED-PAINT too.
I cut the body mold lines down, not all the way yet, by blue taping both sides of each line and then going at it with of all things, Cheepo Emory Boards.
The doors have been clearanced with my trusty belt sander and open just fine, however, I have yet to do the hood and trunk.
It looks petty good from a distance of 20 feet or so.

https://youtu.be/IGYtX-3p7xk

[Yama-Bro]

I have a long way to go until I get to that point, but that's what I'm going to do. Depending how the funds are looking at that point, it may be longer than one driving season. I've been thinking it would be fun do the dip-your-car coating and try a bunch of different colors for a few years. My family really wants me to do lime green, doing dip-your-car would make them happy.

[duncalope]

I ran mine in gel-coat the first driving season and highly recommend it, you get to enjoy it sooner and you can schedule to have the paint & body-work done over the off-season, while you're working on the interior & carpet (also gives you an opportunity to flush out any issues the first driving season and address them when the body comes off for paint).

Mine made our club calendar in gel-coat.
20131231 Photshoot04.jpg

Maybe it's just the angle but i can't see the lines. Did you paint them similar?

[Papa]

I ran mine in gel-coat the first driving season and highly recommend it, you get to enjoy it sooner and you can schedule to have the paint & body-work done over the off-season, while you're working on the interior & carpet (also gives you an opportunity to flush out any issues the first driving season and address them when the body comes off for paint).

Mine made our club calendar in gel-coat.
20131231 Photshoot04.jpg

Dang! It looks like a shiny red paintjob in that picture. Did you wax it? How did you hide the ugly mold parting lines?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Y'all ever hear of Photoshop?

Jeff

[David Hodgkins]

I ran mine in gelcoat for well over 2 years! Smile never faded. It was hardcore looking back then, and still got tons of thumbs-ups!

[CDXXVII]

Nothing wrong with driving in gel coat.

One huge note though. Do not put anything on the gelcoat. No wax, no armor all, no nothing. Your painter will hate you.

[Dave Howard]

I ran mine in gel coat for a month. Worked out a few bugs then couldn't wait to get the body off and start the body work. These things are far to attractive to be seen without paint.

[MPTech]

Y'all ever hear of Photoshop?

Jeff

Jeff knows!
The photographer cleaned it up, but actually the raw picture looked pretty good from this distance/angle. I did work on it a couple days with McGuires Cut & Polish too.

[Packer fan]

Thanks for all of the responses.
I'm about 45 days away from delivery.

The verdict is in... maybe knock the seams down a bit and drive for a year.

Jim

[walt mckenna]

Mine has been in gel coat for almost 5 years. I take it to the track whenever possible and I would have a tendency to tip- toe around the course if a $6,000 paint job was at stake. Besides, most people think it's painted until they get up close and I have to explain the mold marks.

[Gumball]

Jim,

Reach out to Jay (ThickCobra) and get on over to his place to check out his car. It's done and on the road, but in gelcoat still.

Hope to see you in the spring!

[scottiec]

Driving mine in gelcoat

[Avalanche325]

I drove mine in gelcoat for about 4 months. DO NOT put anything on it. Also do not put any shiny stuff, Armorall, etc on your tires when in gelcoat.

[ThickCobra]

Jim,

Reach out to Jay (ThickCobra) and get on over to his place to check out his car. It's done and on the road, but in gelcoat still.

Hope to see you in the spring!

Chris, you do know the car is on a lift, semi hibernating. Lol. As for your wagon, outstanding. I remember riding in the back, kind of a rumble seat with no seatbelts. And, a rear door that hinged both ways. I am exploring restoring a F2 series 1948 - 1951 Ford pick up. Trying to source one. I can tow your wagon when it breaks down.

Packet Fan, PM me and more than welcome to visit.

[AC Bill]

I sanded the seams, and rattle canned them to blend, and drove it like that for 4-5 years. I had several people tell me they liked the vintage looking patina.

[Jim1855]

OK Guys,

What happens if something - wax, armor-all etc., - is applied to the gelcoat?

I appreciate the warnings to not do something but a why would enhance understanding.

Jim

[Papa]

OK Guys,

What happens if something - wax, armor-all etc., - is applied to the gelcoat?

I appreciate the warnings to not do something but a why would enhance understanding.

Jim

Jim,

Before it can be painted, all of that stuff has to be removed or the paint won't stick properly. It adds a lot of labor to the paint prep.

Dave

[Jeff Kleiner]

OK Guys,

What happens if something - wax, armor-all etc., - is applied to the gelcoat?

I appreciate the warnings to not do something but a why would enhance understanding.

Jim

You know how they say a picture is worth 1,000 words----



Jeff

[GoDadGo]

You know how they say a picture is worth 1,000 words----



Jeff

Looks Like A Race Car Paint To Me!

[CDXXVII]

A lot of those products contain silicone and other chemicals that can cause a lot of problems with paint prep. The gel coat on the bodies is pretty rough. Lots of pin holes and seams that allow chemicals to penetrate into the fiberglass. Very difficult to get everything thing clean later. I have seen a couple FFR bodies with bubbles where the paint separated. One of these cars was painted by a very reputable painter. I can only assume it was an issue with a foreign substance.

OK Guys,

What happens if something - wax, armor-all etc., - is applied to the gelcoat?

I appreciate the warnings to not do something but a why would enhance understanding.

Jim

[jcjorgensen]

Going on three years and 1500 miles in gel coat. Enjoyed not having to worry about rock chips and messing up a show quality paint job while I have learned to drive it. One of these days I'll have to get it shipped to one of the Jeff's but for now I want to drive the heck out of it. Enjoy it in gel coat!

[Joee]

I sanded the seams, and rattle canned them to blend, and drove it like that for 4-5 years. I had several people tell me they liked the vintage looking patina.

My plan permanently and same compliments


I still dont know how he made it look so good.

[Jim1855]

Thanks Guys.
Explanation appreciated, will save problems as things progress.
I have been thinking about cleaning up the seams and going to primer.
Jim

[grluisi150]

I just finished my first season in gelcoat. I will get it painted next winter after I take some autocross training.
Gary
IMG-0407a.jpg