Help! Gelcoat is worn off

[wojciecj]

I have a 1973 Glastron Carlson CV-16 with a 115HP Johnson. I just got this boat and there is no gel coat. When I run my hand across the metal flake it is rough like sandpaper. When I got the boat it came with just the side upolstery. When I took this off I could see what the origional gel coat looked like. It is a bright, vibrant orange, but over 90% of the boat has no gel coat and because of the metal flake it feels like sandpaper. Here are some pictures.

I want to make the boat look like new again and I have no idea where to start when it comes to resurfacing the boat. Where do I start? The least expensive way is best. There is also a bondo patch job on the starboard side of the bow. The patch has some cracks in it. How do I repair that and what do I need to do to get that spot preped for resurfacing?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Help! Gelcoat is worn off

Use the advanced search function for: Metal Flake gelcoat

There are a lot of threads detailing the desire to 'restore' metal flake gelcoat

It is NOT an easy proposition for a small repair area. Just your bow is significantly more then that. An entire boat will be a huge challenge.

The exposed metal flakes are no longer the same size or color as the rest still buried in the clear. Suspending the large metal flake often used on boats is even more difficult then smaller flake and must be carefully applied to remain evenly dispursed in the gelcoat as you spray it. Gelcoat spraying in & of it's self is more difficult then paint, and then you add having to be able to have the metal flake shoot thru your setup.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help! Gelcoat is worn off

Gelcoat spraying in & of it's self is more difficult then paint

Actually .. I would have to respectfully Disagree on this point. Gel is in and of itself way less difficult than spraying Paint.

Its basically spraying primer .. sandable/buffable Primer

Paint on the other hand . .. well .. is Paint. You have to have the clean room and good guns and prep and prep and prep.

Gel is like blowing on latex and sanding out the bugs/spiders/dust etc. .. oh and did i mention it easy to do ?

Paint is a dedicated step that requires you to follow Filtration and exactness.

Gelcoat you can touch up at a whim when you hit your surface with your suit or hose .. just spray more on that affected area..

Gelcoat= user friendly .. fast cure and get going NOW.
Paint= somewhat user friendly and put coats on slower .. but Dont Mess up.

I can put a small gelled boat back in the water in 2 days .. It would take me a week or more to prime/paint buff a paint job.

Just letting us Iboaters understand the reasons behind both systems ..

YD.