boat finish gel coat

[kenthrussell]

Hi everyone kinda off the track for engines but just wondering if anyone has used gel coat to refinish or bring the paint back up from being dull, have tried waxws and compounds and looks better but would like to bring the finish back up , could i lightly sand the area and then apply light coats of gelcoat? Where the finish is dull is on the bow and it is black any help would be great as the nice weather is on the way.......thanks alot ....anxious in a cold still ontario!!

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: boat finish gel coat

I have similar problems on my hull. It is dull and dingy looking also. I wax the %#*& out of it and it looks a little better but not really. Can you put a coat of gel coat on it? I would love to lightly sand it, and spray a coat of clear gloss gel coat. Opinions?

 

[Terry H]

Re: boat finish gel coat

I don't think it is reasonable to refinish in gel coat. I would wet sand and buff...if you need paint you can find a good clear coat that will work better than gel coat. It could take as little as 20 hrs to sand an buff gel coat put on that way...just a Thought

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: boat finish gel coat

I have heard of 'wet sanding', but what exactly does it entail? I dont even want to open up that can of worms - painting my hull. I am looking for a uniform, slightly glossy clean hull. I have all the tools necessary to sand and wax. I also have a good friend that is a 3M sales rep and makes a living showing auto body shops how to wax, sand ect. I wonder if he would know how to 'wet sand'?

 

[mrm]

Re: boat finish gel coat

Check out this-----http://www.spectrumcolor.com/technicalinfo.htm They seem to know what they are talking about.

 

[mrm]

Re: boat finish gel coat

http://www.spectrumcolor.com/technicalinfo.htm

 

[Terry H]

Re: boat finish gel coat

Purse Snatcher...wet sanding is a fine sanding process to remove imperfections in finish that would be done prior to buffing. Your 3M rep would know all about the process. Using "wet or dry" sandpaper anywhere from 180 grit to say 1500 grit...start with the finest grit paper that will take out the scratches...if you only need to remove the surface discoloration then you might start with 400-600 grit paper and plenty of water to lubricate and remove sanded particles and sand sand sand...finish with 1200-1500 grit always with water. when the surface is sanded and the discoloration and scratches are gone it is time to buff with a gelcoat type polish. if you are going to repaint with clear or color you can eliminate the polish step and paint...if the sanding was thorough, you will have a new or better than new looking finish...just a Thought

 

[crab bait]

Re: boat finish gel coat

THOUGHT101 describes wet sandin' very well... the sand paper is made to be wet . usually black in color with a dark waterproof back paper.. can find it anywhere sandpaper is sold.. best to fill up a bucket with water an have at it .. alittle trick:: put alittle dish soap in the bucket .. soapy water does magic...

 

[Hooty]

Re: boat finish gel coat

The whole idea of wet sanding is to keep the sanding paper from filling up with what ever you're sanding and yep a little dish washing soap does beaucoup good. <br />Another trick is when that buffing pad gets all full of whatever, sling it in the washing machine with some dirty jeans and then dry it in the drier. Comes out looking like new.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: boat finish gel coat

as i've said b4, and i'll say again, i'm no boating expert.<br />i just took mine to the local garage and they sanded it with less grit(i saw it), then clearcoated it, and its still a little opaque looking....

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: boat finish gel coat

since its not real busy here, no one has posted, i should bring up the background info: DO NOT gelcoat - it is horribly unreasonable in terms of labor & cost. and only specific techniques & chemicals will give you the satisfaction you're thinking of. do not think of your boat as a corvette body in waterproof form - lol

 

[G DANE]

Re: boat finish gel coat

I guess you have other products that we have over here, but there must be something similar to ours.<br /><br />Here you can get polyureathane paint. It is harder and more resistant to sun, scratches and water than the original gelcoat. It requires the boat to be sanded and pre-treated before sprayapplying, but you will get a finish exactly like a new boat, with a more resistant surface. I once build a bathing platform for my 22" cabin cruiser and had it for 8 yrs. Thoug we used the platform as acces to boat when it was ashore in winter it kept looking new and shiny.

 

[kenthrussell]

Re: boat finish gel coat

Hi everyone and thanks a million for all the great replys..........poly paint may be an answer ...will keep everyone posted as i will be tackling it very soon........Ken and it's getting warmer in ontario now yeeeeehawwwww !!!

 

[tbjtib]

Re: boat finish gel coat

Hi, had the same problem with my old ranger bass boat, Starbrite makes a product called instant Glass Cote . I wet sanded lightly and cleaned it well, then just wiped on several coats and it came out nice. It lasted about 2 years. You can also try spraying armourall on, it will make it look good if you do it once a month. Timb