clear gel coat over metal flaking

[gholems]

Hello All,

I know my question has been covered in part in the forum but need some clarification. I just bought a 1977 Glastron Carlson cvx-20 sprint that has been pretty beaten by the elements. The metal flaking on the bow is getting rough so can I just wet sand it down with 600 grit and spray clear gel coat over that to bring back the luster? The paint and flakes still show they are silver but the oxidation is really bad and the clear gel coat is very thin. The bottom of the boat is white so can I just start at one end and clear gel coat the whole thing? Any help on this would be great.

Glen

 

[Rev.]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

glen,
i have the same problem with my 86 hydra, will be interesting to see what your told, my problem is just on the top side all the way around.

 

[gcboat]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Absolutely can be done. However I'd stay away from that 600#, start with 1200# and work your way down if necessary. Here's a good link for ya' :http://www.fibreglast.com/showproducts-category-category-10.html

 

[championandy]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

My '84 Champion was really rough around the top. What i did was wet sand starting with 600 grit and went all the way up to 2000 grit. 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000. Then I used the meguires oxidation remover, high gloss polish, and high quality wax. It was a lot of work. The way I understand gel coat is that the metal flake is part of the gel coat. Oxidation pits the top layer. When you sand, it removes the rough down to a smooth surface. I just make sure to keep it covered or inside when I am not using the boat and wax frequently. This is what worked for me. I did not feel the need to spray clear coat. Some will tell you that you need to. I personally didnt want to spend the money on it. Here are my before and after pics.

 

[gholems]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

That is good. Thanks for the replies and hopefully Rev got his answered as well. One more thing reclear gle coating the boat will there be a issue with the bottom side becasue I can not flip it over?

Glen

 

[wire2]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

A power buffer takes a lot of time & effort out of the process.

After hand sanding with 600, 1200 paper, buff with 3M "Finesse-it" polishing compound and it will come up like glass.
Then a coat of wax will keep for several weeks.

BUT; it will go dull again with sunlight.

I've spent many hours over the years sanding/polishing my '84 Glastron SX190 with blue/gray metalflake.

I'm seriously considering removing all the trim, sand with 220 paper and apply a couple coats of 2 part automotive clearcoat. (not gelcoat)

As mentioned, use a full cover when not using it to keep the sun off it.

 

[gholems]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Hey wire2,

Just asking but why clear coat and not gel coat? Doesnt gel coat have a tougher shell then clear coat?

Glen

 

[gholems]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

One more thing. What would it hurt to spray on a clear gel coat with silver flakes in before over the orignal silver flakes before clear gel coating.

Glen

 

[gholems]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

I guess there is no more ideas on this? It would be great to add on to this.

Glen

 

[wire2]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Just back from a weekend at the cottage and now checking the mail;

Gelcoat is manufactured and formulated to spray into a mold, then have metalflake and/or color sprayed on top, then polyester resin along with glass bits from a chopper gun.
The various layers tend to heat and cure all together.

Automotive clearcoat is better suited to spraying on a sanded surface, with better results.

Spraying metalflake on top of existing gelcoat *can* be done, but the aluminum bits will protrude up from the surface like flecks of dirt. It takes many coats of clear and lots of sanding to get an even surface. You also need a spray gun with a very large tip to allow the flakes through.

 

[gholems]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

I checked out the web site gcboat gave me and it is great. The question I have is when I went to a marina store all they had resins and polyurethanes nothing to what is on this site. I know different store different stuff. I have been trying to comprehend all the different ways to gel coat your but this is madness. Any ideas to help under stand all this better? Why some say to polyurethane and people other ways


Glen

 

[ondarvr]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

It's difficult to give an answer without actually seeing the boat. If the current clear gel coat is just dull and oxidized, then sanding and buffing can fix the problem, easy.

If you need more protection, then a clear coat (paint) can make it look very good again, a little bit more difficult.

Or if it's in really bad condition you can re-gel coat it (new flake), much harder.

The fourth option.. If the clear is very bad and you don't want to try and re-flake it (difficult), then you can just pick a solid color, sand it, prime it and paint it.

If you sand into the flake layer then sometimes it can be very difficult to make that area match again, so if you sand and buff be careful not to go through the top layer of clear.

It will more difficult to find clear gel coat and flake, but you can get it online, $$$.

 

[saltfisher]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Think using a buffer with oxidation remover would be enough to remove moderate oxidation. Its gray flake and it has a white haze look. I want the new glossy look, and thinking of sanding 1st, then using a polish AFTER the oxidation remover, then wax. What do you think?

 

[Bert]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

I'm in the same situation, I have a Hydra Sport with the silver metal flake lightning bolt on the side. The gel coat is gone from the flake. The hull cleaned up nicely with wet sanding, but I need something to put over the metal flake. Can I clearcoat over this or is there a better solution.

 

[Thames_Outdoors]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

OK, I have to get in on this too. I am in the same BOAT... LOL... I have a 1988 Bayliner Bass boat that is Blue with silver metal fakes. I just bought the boat and again this comes down to last owner didnt take care of it and left it out in the weather. MOST of the top paint looks good but some is DULL and there are many spots that are peeling/flaking... I just taked to a body shop over the phone and a MIN. cost on reclear coat is 1k and most likley cost more. Is there something I can do ?? Just sand,buff and polish ? and keep doing it til it comes back??

 

[D_Dose]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

I have a '95 Skeeter the clear gel coat over flake is in good shape, but it has a few chips and a hairline crack. I've parched chips in hull with Evercoat product with no problem.

What do you patch the clear stuff.

 

[CougarBait]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Think using a buffer with oxidation remover would be enough to remove moderate oxidation. Its gray flake and it has a white haze look. I want the new glossy look, and thinking of sanding 1st, then using a polish AFTER the oxidation remover, then wax. What do you think?

Did you ever have any luck just buffing with the oxidation remover and then waxing ? I had luck with restoring the gelcoat with that method, albeit not a metal flake gelcoat. I am about to tackle a 1978 glastron with the grey metal flake and was wondering if i would achieve similar results.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Im sure this would be considered " archives " thread ..

Weird how it came back a few times ..

YD.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: clear gel coat over metal flaking

Lots of interest in this topic.