Question about Gelcoat

[99civic03]

I just ordered a Street Fyghter 2 style kit, and I decided Im gonna borrow my friends spray gun and my dad and I are gonna paint the kit. The kit comes gel coated, so do I need to prime it before I can paint it? Or is the gel coat a suitable surface for the basecoat of paint?

[zippeay]

First you need to take really hot water and scrub the fiberglass because you have to get off the release agent they use to make the mold of the bumper with. Then lightly scuff "don't scuff it before you wash it or you'll sand the release agent into the gel coat" the gel coat with a scrubby or some 400 grit sand paper and prime it with high build primer. Then wet sand it 600 grit and paint, its really not hard but I almost bet you'll have to make some mods to your kit they never fit right.

[frozen_Joth]

Yeah do what he said! I've never heard of people having problems with their kits they bought from Veilside and Ground Designs (Black Widow). Those kits always seem to fit PERFECT! I had a veilside kit on my Civic, Fit perfectly!

[99civic03]

This kit is made by VIS racing, which Ive heard generally has really good fitment, about 95% of their kits fit without modification, so hopefully it won't have to be modified, but if it does, no biggy, cus fiberglass isnt that hard to work with, and Ive got a fair bit of experience with it too (subwoofer enclosures.)

[zippeay]

sounds like your all set, I mean most kits fit fairly well I think mine was kinda of a bitch because the guy I bought my car from lied to me about it not being hit so mine fit like crap but I don't think it was the manufactures fault