A gel coat for a surface of a composite article contains a curable urethane acrylate resin preferably based on aliphatic polyester polyols and aliphatic polyisocyanates. The gel coat provides a surface that has high gloss and color retention after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The gel coat composition contains resin and acrylic diluents, including optional difunctional and trifunctional diluents. The gel coat is optionally pigmented to produce an article that may be used without further surface treatment.
