STYPOL® 040-4954

• Low VOC / HAP content (42% or less)
• Excellent sprayability
• Excellent nonsagging properties
• High clarity
• Excellent chemical and water resistance
• Excellent thermal shock resistance (1)
• UV light stabilized
• Good color retention
• Suitable for low pressure spray equipment
• Meets gel coat test specifications according to ANSI Z124.3
• Meets BAAQMD, Regulation 8-50-1, Method 26 (Bay Area AQMD of Northern California)

STYPOL® 040-4950, 040-4954, 040-4956 and 040-4965 gel coats must be mixed prior to use. This includes prior to production spray application and when obtaining material for patching or any material that has been set aside for patching. Several suitable types of mixing equipment and styles of agitators are available for both pails and drums. Regardless of the specific type used, the equipment must have sufficient horsepower (relative to container size) to achieve thorough circulation from top to bottom and out to the sides of the container. The agitator must be properly sized for the container and must allow for uniform mixing regardless of the liquid level in the container.

Mixing once a day for 10 minutes is typically sufficient. Do not overmix STYPOL® 040-4950, 040-4954, 040-4956 and 040-4965 gel coats. Overmixing can break down the polymer coating viscosity increasing the tendency to sag. Overmixing can also result in styrene loss which could contribute to porosity. Air bubbling should not be used for mixing. It is not effective and only serves as a potential source of water or oil contamination.

Low VOC gel coats need to be at 75°F or higher for good sprayability. STYPOL® 040-4950, 040-4954, 040-4956 and 040-4965 are designed for use with airless system gel coat applications. Suggested parameters are an 1840 or 518 tip, 500 to 700 psi fluid pressure, 15 to 20 psi assist air pressure, and 5-7 mils per pass. A large diameter fluid hose as well as an inline heater improves the pumping and sprayability of the material. Because of the lower monomer content, the fan pattern is smaller than with standard gel coats. Tip sizes larger than 18 do not atomize the gel coat correctly.

STYPOL® 040-4950, 040-4954, 040-4956 and 040-4965 have also been sprayed through a FIT System using a 1727 tip, 350 to 500 psi of fluid pressure and catalyst air at 15 psi pressure. Use a 1/2-inch hose with a 3/8-inch whip. Higher pump pressures may be needed with smaller diameter hoses (do not go below 3/8 inch hose) or with lower gel coat temperatures. It is advisable to allow some time between passes for air release. Apply 16 to 20 mils on the deck and up to 22 mils on the bowl in three passes.

Determining castable time can be accomplished with a simple finger test. If a light drag of a finger over the gel coat film picks up gel coat, the gel coat is not yet ready. However, if the same light drag picks up NO gel coat, the matrix can be poured. Note that even when the gel coat is cured, it will be possible to pick up gel coat by applying direct pressure (as opposed to a light drag), and with such pressure, a slight finger print may appear on the cured gel coat film. It is recommended that gel time be checked in the customer's plant because age, temperature, humidity and catalyst will produce varied gel times.

The recommended catalyst range for proper cure is 1.5% to 2.5%, with 2.0% being ideal.

This product should not be used when temperature conditions are below 75°F, as curing may be adversely affected.