ski boat floor/removing carpet

[Kevin215]

I removed the carpet from my 19' boat because it was starting to tear and rot. Under the carpet is wood that has been fiberglassed over. The floor seems to be solid everywhere. I would like to coat the floor with a textured gelcoat instead of installing new carpet but have never gelcoated or fiberglassed anything. I am a painter by trade (house painter) so am confident with the right prep and materials that I could produce a quality job. Will acetone remove the remaining carpet glue? What other prep is needed? The floor is not particularly smooth, does this mean I need a coat of epoxy? (if so what kind or brand?) I also have an area that needs some buildup, it is where the floor meats the hull in one spot that is about 8 sq. inches and less than half an inch deep, is there an epoxy filler I can fill this with. Where do I buy gel coat? What brand is best for my application? What do I tint it with (off white) and what additive gives a OEM textured look. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[salty87]

Re: ski boat floor/removing carpet

good news/bad news on gelcoating

the good...you don't have to worry about the residual glue.
the bad.....you need to grind the floor smooth if it was left rough.

i've never gel coated, can't help you with that much. there are threads that discussed though if you search.

i love the smell of fiberglass dust in the morning (ok, you shouldn't really be able to smell it much with mask on)

someone on here used a softer grippy looking material, looked nice. search carpet alternatives maybe if you're interested in finding that one. would save you all the grinding, etc.

 

[oops!]

Re: ski boat floor/removing carpet

Will acetone remove the remaining carpet glue?

SOMETIMES, BUT GRINDING WORKS FOR SURE

What other prep is needed? The floor is not particularly smooth, does this mean I need a coat of epoxy?

NO......GELLCOAT WILL NOT STICK TO EPOXY......AND THE DECK WILL NEED TO BE SANDED SMOOTH....THE KEY TO ANY JOB IS THE PREP

(if so what kind or brand?)

REGULAR POLYESTER RESIN.........

I also have an area that needs some buildup, it is where the floor meats the hull in one spot that is about 8 sq. inches and less than half an inch deep, is there an epoxy filler I can fill this with.

SEARCH PEANUT BUTTER.....OR OOPS SUPER DOOPER PEANUT BUTTER


Where do I buy gel coat?

ANY PLASTIC SHOP OR FIBERGLASS SHOP


What brand is best for my application? ASK YOUR DEALER
What do I tint it with

ASK YOUR DEALER


(off white) and what additive gives a OEM textured look. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

gellcoat is very thick it will be very hard not to have a texture to it......either a brush or roller texture.......on a deck....the roller texture is really the look and surface you want,as it has a natural non skin surface.
there is also a non skid additive you can put in the mix.
gellcoat will also waterproof the deck and make it last quite a bit longer.

as far sa color....ask your sales rep about pigment....but bear in mind...it will be really hard to match the color.


for an example....see the hull ext thread........the index is on the first page

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: ski boat floor/removing carpet

Kevin, this is also the project I'm going to attempt, almost exactly. I want to gut my interior (Again, lol), remove the carpet (which is brand new from last season), and do the exact same thing. I also have plywood that's been glassed in, and I want to leave it with a nice gel-coated surface. But as oops said, prep is going to be everything.

I've accomplished step 1 so far--- securing the boat in a warm, protected shop for the off-season. I'm going to work on some engine/drive stuff first just to make sure the boat is viable before I start working on the cockpit (i.e., if my engine and/or drive are shot, it won't be worth spending $$ on the interior).

If you started this or will be starting, post pics and progress!!

 

[Kevin215]

Re: ski boat floor/removing carpet

Thank you everyone, I think I get it.
Is this correct Oops:
Step one: fill gap with peanut butter
Step two: sand floor smooth
Step three: one coat of poly resin
Step four: gelcoat

The roller texture definitely sounds like the texture I want, thanks for the idea. And Aerosmith20 keep checking this thread I'll post progress for you and let you know what products I use; I'm gonna start right after Christmas.

Merry Christmas,
Kevin215