Decision on Pulsar dome treatment - advice please

[JeremyS]

There has been much discussion on here about how to deal with a deteriorating fibreglass dome with the aim of making it look shiny new again.

I have tried various waxes (including v expensive Brazilian boat wax). I even had my car valet wax and polish it once. Looks great for a few weeks , then back to matte. I also did a few treatments with polytrol. This lasts a few months and is much less effort.

So today I visited a bespoke fibreglass manufacturer who does a lot of work for the likes of English Heritage, cathedrals plus less esoteric jobs. He said the problem is the gel coat is completely shot. The surface is now microporous and soaks up wax etc. Gel coars can last up to 20 years, which is the age of my Pulsar obsy. Tbh parts of the original gel coat weren’t brilliant anyway. The gloss gel coat only comes from the original mould, so I will never get that back again.

So he said I have the following options.

1. Purchase new obsy

2. keep on with the ultimately fruitless wax or polytrol in perpetuity 

3. use a 2 pack automotive paint. But this will never look like new, requires skill to apply and nasty stuff that should be done indoors. Not something I would entertain doing myself 

4. Paint on by hand a gel coat. It will never be gloss and looks a bit crude. Often used on fibreglass roofs, but these can’t be seen so their appearance doesn’t matter. He could produce a same and quote for the job.

I am thinking about 4. Any thoughts?

[Alan White]

How about another option, paint it with an epoxy finish as used on boats?
 

[Steve Ward]

I'd have said option four , but if you've been applying regular coats of various waxes to the porous surface then I fear that nothing will adhere satisfactorily.

[Oddsocks]

Hi Jeremy.

Contact a boat yard that does restoration work on GRP yachts.

They routinely sand down and resurface GRP yacht hulls using a two-part epoxy applied by spray and then sometimes an additional transparent overcoat on top for a very deep gloss finish.

The current Pulsar dome can be separated into the four quadrants and fairly easily dismantled and transported, I assume that the older Pulsar domes were also built in four quadrants.

William.

[Cleetus]

I had the same problem a few years back when my fibreglass dome was about 25 years old. Having looked into the possibilities re boat builders and fibre glass coatings, in the end I decided to apply two coats of Bedec Multi Surface Paint. After a light sanding I applied this using a small paint roller and I have to say I was very impressed with the results.

So Impressed that I am about to do it all again but only because my dome suffered a lot of rough handling during last year's house move and I fancy a change anyway. I will see if I can dig up a photo.

https://bedec.co.uk/multi-surface-paint/

And you might find this company useful. Great advice and have paint for many situations.

https://www.promain.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19I9qtyjKhPT7SjedkEBEN07ThwkDqv4cRyo_3hjT8xV6lq3m_fptEaAvPlEALw_wcB

 

Edited May 21 by Cleetus

[Yawning Angel]

Have a look at the Sika liquid roofing options : Sika UK. It's not gloss, but has a range of colours etc and is designed for awkward shapes. I have it on my flat roofed roll-off

Call them for proper technical advice 

[Cleetus]

Found a picture but unfortunately it has me in it!

 

Anyway, I bought two tins of the MSP for about £70. Slightly lighter green than existing and chose the matt finish.

[JeremyS]

6 hours ago, Oddsocks said:

Hi Jeremy.

Contact a boat yard that does restoration work on GRP yachts.

They routinely sand down and resurface GRP yacht hulls using a two-part epoxy applied by spray and then sometimes an additional transparent overcoat on top for a very deep gloss finish.

The current Pulsar dome can be separated into the four quadrants and fairly easily dismantled and transported, I assume that the older Pulsar domes were also built in four quadrants.

William.

Thanks William. Mine is the older Pulsar. The dome and the walls are each single pieces, not quadrants.

[JeremyS]

6 hours ago, Cleetus said:

Found a picture but unfortunately it has me in it!

 

Anyway, I bought two tins of the MSP for about £70. Slightly lighter green than existing and chose the matt finish.

Looks a very nice job. Congratulations!

Do you know which colour it is? Looking at their colour chart, Holly would be closest to my current colour. I would like a gloss finish.

I dread doing the whole thing and not liking it. I wonder if I could try a small area at the back to test. 

[TiffsAndAstro]

Some "classic" cars had fibre glass bodies, like some lotuses. In spite of their tremendous build quality and  reliability some of them need body work redoing

Might be something the restorers know that works?

[Cleetus]

19 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Looks a very nice job. Congratulations!

Do you know which colour it is? Looking at their colour chart, Holly would be closest to my current colour. I would like a gloss finish.

I dread doing the whole thing and not liking it. I wonder if I could try a small area at the back to test. 

Yes, it was Holly. I had the same idea and chose a colour which I thought was closest to the Pulsar green. When I finished painting it looked lighter in colour but I liked it. Perhaps you could ask if they would supply a sample?

[Swoop1]

Is this a scenario where a bit of assistance from someone adept at vinyl wrapping could have an impact?

[JeremyS]

43 minutes ago, Swoop1 said:

Is this a scenario where a bit of assistance from someone adept at vinyl wrapping could have an impact?

I had to look it up. I never knew that was a thing 🤔. Might it work?

I initially thought you meant those French wrappers:

or the other kind of wrap artist

[Carbon Brush]

Have you contacted Pulsar for their comments on re-finishing the dome?
If they come up with a recommended material that is beyond DIY application, you can still use a local specialist to do the work.
Cheshire to Norfolk is going to be quite expensive shipping.
While Pulsar want to sell new domes and accessories, they will only be able to do this if existing customers can maintain their purchases.
Just a thought.

[JeremyS]

On 24/05/2024 at 13:01, Carbon Brush said:

Have you contacted Pulsar for their comments on re-finishing the dome?
If they come up with a recommended material that is beyond DIY application, you can still use a local specialist to do the work.
Cheshire to Norfolk is going to be quite expensive shipping.
While Pulsar want to sell new domes and accessories, they will only be able to do this if existing customers can maintain their purchases.
Just a thought.

They suggested Polytrol. But as noted above, I’ve tried it. It’s fine for a few months and then needs re-treatment.