What pattern should you follow when spraying the gel coat?

When spraying gel coat, positioning the spray gun at a 90° angle to the surface and overlapping by 50% is the best practice for achieving an even and uniform finish. This technique allows the gel coat to be applied consistently, ensuring that each pass covers the previous one adequately. The overlap helps to prevent streaks or thin areas, which can lead to issues like inconsistent color or inadequate protection.

By maintaining the gun at a right angle to the surface, the spray pattern is directed straight onto the surface, promoting proper atomization and adherence of the gel coat. This angle also facilitates better control over the application, reducing the risk of runs or drips that may occur when spraying from other angles.

In contrast, spraying at an angle or in a random pattern can create uneven coverage and might lead to areas that are either over-coated or under-coated. These other methods are less reliable for ensuring that the gel coat applies uniformly, which is crucial for both aesthetic and functional quality in composite applications.