79 ski supreme

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Hi, im a real newbie when it comes to fiberglass. I bought a ski boat that is oxidized over the last 32 years. What are some products people have used to polish them back to life?
Or what are some searches I can run on this site?
It has the 351 and needs a starter too
The interior is in great condition, and it looks to be taken care of pretty well.
 

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 79 ski supreme

Welcome to iBoats! Pretty much right off the bat get ready to post some pics. We like to know what you're dealing with in order to give the proper info. BUT, generally speaking a good buffing compound with a wool bonnet will remove a lot of sins. My preference is for two products; oxidation remover by Meguiars (I think it's #51) or a line called aqua-buff (they have a 1000 which is meant for heavily oxidized gel, and a 2000 which is more of a finishing polish; best results start with the 2000. If that doesn't cut it, then go to the 1000 followed by the 2000.) REMEMBER, there are no quick fixes or miracle products out there; elbow grease and determination is the best combination :)
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

had to wait to get home to post pics

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hopefully i get *** togather yet this summer!
 
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Friscoboater

Captain
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
3,095
Re: 79 ski supreme

Welcome to iboats. 3M 5200 is a good sealer, but you make sure it runs and is sea worthy? A boat that old and that has been sitting out may have some other issues that you need to worry about. Please take some time and read my thread and oops thread about boat rot.

Cool boat.
 

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 79 ski supreme

What's a good sealer for the swim deck as well?

Are you referring to a wood sealer or bedding compound where the deck mounts to the transom? For a wood sealer on a ski boat I would just give it a good sanding and use teak oil. Anything else is going to get scuffed up and look like hell after a few trips. Re-apply the oil few times a Summer and it will look great. If you're asking about a bedding compound my preference is 3M 4200. I would have loved to have one of these as a kid;I grew up skiing and footin' :)
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

i havent physically seen it yet, my friend picked it up and dropped it off in minnesota while im here at work in montana. the starter was determined bad by a repair shop supposedly. the floor is solid and looks perfect according to my friend. it was also under a cover under a car port.
i wont truely know until i get there though
 

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 79 ski supreme

Looks good; did you get just the compound or their 3-part kit that has a polish and wax?
 

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 79 ski supreme

For what it's worth, I would also recommend using their polish after you're done buffing, just before you apply the wax. It will help preserve the color and give it a little more luster; not a night and day difference, but it USUALLY makes a difference on colored hulls (not so much on whites though)..
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

swim deck on
2011-08-21_18-01-25_770.jpg

2011-08-22_19-53-39_973.jpg

for my own dicouragement i found two bad valves today when i finally got it turning over, dang
 
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Friscoboater

Captain
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
3,095
Re: 79 ski supreme

Sorry about the valves. I would check everything out 100 % before going any further. I would hate to see you (like I was) with blinders on and it need a deck job. If the engine is gone too, it might not be worth it.
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

deck job? for the heads or the floor?

im going to get the motor running then fix the stringers and transum, they are both bad. but not bad enough to test with. i think if i tried pulling with the pole it would come out of the floor. i paid a grand for this so im not too worried about going backwards.
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: 79 ski supreme

If I may say:

Boat salvage yards are full of inboard outboard hulls with engines that were not properly drained before the Winter and that had outdrive/bellows problems.

Inboard boats seem to just last forever--if properly maintained. A guy down the lake from us bought a new 1953 Chris Craft runabout with a Gray Marine (Chrysler flat head) engine-- and it's still like new.

When you get your problems behind you, keep the boat out of the weather and you'll be passing it down to your grand kids. These boats are actually good long term values after they're put back into good shape. And, auto mechanics and auto machine shops can do the engine rebuilding on these relatively common engines (in auto trim).
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

thanks, thats the plan. just can see the future of rebuilding to be very ongoing and going and going...
 

joshkoltes

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2011
Messages
64
Re: 79 ski supreme

yay just spent 481$ on gaskets and such! now going to buy that five gallons of sea cast. useing their measurement calculator with measurements i guessed i came up with 3.8 gallons. need enough for my transum, and stringers. im 700 miles away from it so cant run a tape to see how much i really need. guess itll be better to have too much rather than too little?
 
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