What Are the Precautions for Using Gel Coat in Winter?

In cold conditions, slower gel and cure times for gel coats necessitate post-curing, which can cause visible marks and/or distortions. Here are some effective tips for using gel coat in cold weather:

1. Calibrate Spray Equipment: Increased viscosity of gel coat and curing agents in cold weather makes spray equipment calibration (always important) especially crucial.
2. Allow Adequate Warm-Up Time: Before use, ensure materials have enough time to warm up. Take the containers out two to three days prior, and store them in a warm workshop. Extremely cold weather may require even longer warm-up periods. Cold floors will extend warm-up times.
3. Use Insulation for Material Containers: If the workshop has cement floors, place insulation (e.g., wooden pallets) under the material containers. This method helps keep materials warm and prevents heat absorption by the cement.