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View Full Version : Redo Gelcoat or apply Paint?



77_Tahiti
07-02-2001, 12:02 PM
My boat needs a makeover! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/confused.gif
The white gelcoat surfaces on my boat have been sprayed over with white paint, now its flaking off plus the metal flake areas are not looking so hot either. I read somewhere that Easy-Off oven cleaner will remove the paint without hurting the gelcoat, any experiences? Any testers out there? The main question I have is should I redo the gelcoat or cover with a urethane type of paint?

oldphart
07-02-2001, 06:54 PM
God made Chroma 1 from dupont just for us boaters. It's hard as hell goes on smooth and stays on the bottom like jelcoat. it is a bit pricey though. besides you don't want that 70'2 metal flake exposed unless you go to the lake wearing bellbottoms, long sideburns and a fro!

Bubbledeck
07-02-2001, 08:15 PM
oldphart I don't have any hair, much less a 'fro, I don't wear bell bottoms because they look funny with a beer belly, but I still take my metal flake boat to the lake. It's still in good shape, silver/charcoal/red accents and I turn alot of heads with it .. I know for sure it ain't me they're looking at heh

Havasu Hangin'
07-02-2001, 08:58 PM
I had my gel coat re-done last year. To do it properly, all stress cracks need to be fixed, and I'm not talkin' about Bondo. ALOT of prep time involved.
Everything needs to be pulled out of the boat, and it's a good time to sraighten the bottom. I cut a deal with the shop and pulled the motor & interior myself. If you want to take a look at boat, there's pics on my profile webpage. It doesn't look 20 years old anymore.
I still have the sideburns, though...
http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

77_Tahiti
07-03-2001, 07:25 AM
Havasu Hangin'
That is one sharp lookin boat, what year is it? Are the graphics part of the gelcoat? Can you provided a ball park figure of what a gelcoat job may run me on my 18 footer? It has quite a few spider webs on it! What's the name of the shop you used?
Oldphart,
I assume your boat is done up with this Chroma 1, how long ago was it done? Have any of the spider webs surfaced to date?

Havasu Hangin'
07-03-2001, 07:59 AM
Originally posted by 77_Tahiti:
what year is it? Are the graphics part of the gelcoat? Can you provided a ball park figure of what a gelcoat job may run me on my 18 footer? It has quite a few spider webs on it! What's the name of the shop you used?
The boat is a '81 built in '80. Actually, the old color was blue gel coat, with paint fades- very dated. The graphics are gel coat. If you run your hands over the graphics, it's smooth- no transition. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
After the prep, the graphics are taped off, and sprayed. The key with gel is to get the right thickness- too thick- no flex (cracking). Too thin, it will rub through. I've heard it's tougher to do gel coat on a boat than in a mold.
As far as pricing, it depends on how many spider cracks and chips you have to repair. I had a bunch- plus I had them fill in the air vents on the side, and plug a bunch of holes for the new windshield. You're probably looking at a grand or two, depending on how much stripping you want to do yourself. It's much easier (and cheaper) if you don't want the bottom or gunwales done.
The shop I used is in So Cal- Quality Boat Repair. I cut a deal and gave it to him for a winter project. He does repairs for Eliminator, as well as a few other manufacturers in the area. They do GREAT work.
Good luck! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hustler
07-03-2001, 08:29 AM
Havasu Hangin,
I also have a 23 footer that i want to have redone over the winter and planing on pulling every thing myself. i you dont mind can i ask how much you paid for yours and what city is Quality in. or if you have there number that would be great. Also did you have them do the whole boat or just from the water line?
Hustler

Havasu Hangin'
07-03-2001, 08:58 AM
Originally posted by Hustler:
i you dont mind can i ask how much you paid for yours and what city is Quality in. or if you have there number that would be great. Also did you have them do the whole boat or just from the water line?
Since I changed colors, he did the whole boat. Above the water line is cheaper, as you don't have to turn the boat over.
Quality Boat Repair is in Riverside, near Eliminator. Talk to Isreal (909)681-8247. E-mail me & I'll let you know what we worked out.

Hustler
07-03-2001, 09:29 AM
Havasu Hangin,
i just sent you an e-mail but i dont know what address i will show. please respond to Devildog_50@hotmail.com

77_Tahiti
07-03-2001, 07:30 PM
Thanks for all the good information! I recently bought the boat in Arizona and had a friend who lives there check it out for me, he sent me some digital pics thru e-mail.
Since then I found out that a picture is not always worth a thousand words. The boat was no were near the condition of what I was expecting. Any how the thing runs great (knock on wood) but looks like Shi... After getting the boat home here in New Mexico I noticed there had been a patch job done on the under side, you can only imagine the quality of the repair job considering I was able to see it! http://free.***boat.net/ubb/mad.gif Bottom line I need to have the patch job redone by someone qualified and get the entire boat painted or a new gelcoat. The hull seems to be water tight but Im a little nervous pushing the RPMs on rough water. My plans as of now are to have my cousin who lives in Laughlin repair the hull damage this winter, he does marine fiberglass repair for living out there. As for the finish I'm not sure what to do, he is saying to paint it. I would really like to redo the gelcoat but not sure if there is anyone qualified around here or there in Laughlin to do it. Does anyone know if gelcoat can be sprayed on using a cup gun?

ULTRA28
07-03-2001, 08:42 PM
First of all, easy off will hurt the gel coat, don't do it.
Second, if you don't have experience with gel, don't bother trying, it is an art that takes years to perfect.
The ONLY person I trust to do a job like the one you are talking about is Isreal from Quality Boat Repair. He is hands down the best. His prices are a little high, but like Havasu said, maybe you can get a winter deal when he needs the work.

EDROE
07-03-2001, 08:57 PM
Beer-bellies, side-burns and meta-flake are COOL man!!!!

jroos
07-04-2001, 08:18 AM
My `76 Southwind was a tan and brown combo w/ gold metal flake accents. Xtremely `70`s. I wanted to get a `90s look so I sanded gel coat fixed spider cracks with resin and sprayed the whole damn thing with Euro body filler primer. Topped it off with the brightest white Imron I could get. Only bad thing is that you need a welding shield because of the glare. I wish I would have clearcoated also. Took off the railing and bought a Harwood dragster scoop for a racier look. Boat looks awsome. Also wish I had faired the boat with Micro Bubble. These boats are very wavy.

oldphart
07-04-2001, 01:53 PM
The chroma 1 paint job was 2 years old when a skum sucker stole the boat and slammed it into a walnut tree. I removes the stress cracks with a grinder and Dyna glass. they didn't return. I really didn't have a choice, my tahiti sidewinder was metal flake green, silver and red. we are talking BIIIG metalflake. the cut yer hand big metal flake.
I loved the lines and ride of the boat but the graphics had to go

Leon
07-05-2001, 09:50 AM
Paint is easier than fooling with gelcoat. PAINT all the way.

jroos
07-08-2001, 07:15 AM
I would have gelcoated but I`ve never sprayed it and don`t know anyone who has. It`s a hell of a lot tougher than paint.