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Marv, I am pretty sure the gel coated components in the LC2 (cowl, header
tank) are polyester or vinylester.  
The gel coat is typically sprayed into a mold designed to release the part
and waxed to allow easy removal.  To assure bonding, the layup is started
before the gel coat cures.  
Gel coat is heavy (I know this is not a factor in your application) and not
easily applied or finished after a part is removed from the mold, just ask
any early Glasair builder.  
Ok, this all leads up to "it's better to paint than gel coat".  Gel coat is
fine for the boat market where weight is not a problem and cost is.   Steve


[I'm pretty familiar with the gel-coat process, as I manufacture some
components for the RC boat market with it using polyester resin.  At any
rate, the part that I'm talking about is only about 2x3", and when
installed, is stuck underneath a latch.  While painting _might_ be
better than gel coat, it really isn't in this application.  My mold is
super glossy and should produce gel coat parts that look wet when removed
from it.  (I've got a couple samples that were done with just epoxy
and they look great but they aren't the right color.)  Anyway, I think
I'll try one tomorrow with a gel coat exterior and epoxy layups to see
how it works.  I figured doing the layups before the gel coat was
cured would probably work... it's worth a test.

Thanks for the comments.          <Marv>      ]
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