How often should gel coat on the shop floor be mixed?

Mixing gel coat on the shop floor is essential to ensure uniformity and consistency in the material’s performance. Over time, components within the gel coat, such as pigments and resins, can settle or separate, leading to variations in color and viscosity. Mixing every 24 hours for a period of 10 minutes helps to maintain this uniformity, allowing for an even application and preventing issues such as mottling or uneven curing.

This frequency strikes a balance between keeping the gel coat properly mixed and not consuming excessive time or resources in the production process. Mixing for 10 minutes is generally sufficient to achieve a homogeneous blend without causing unnecessary delays in workflows.

In contrast, other options suggest different intervals or durations that either might be too frequent or not frequent enough, risking either waste of time or inadequate mixing, which could lead to subpar results in the final product. Regular mixing at the specified interval ensures that the gel coat remains effective for its intended use, maintaining quality control in composite manufacturing processes.