painting my boat

[JET-O-VATOR]

If I decide to paint my boat would I have to sand the metal flake completly off? and is there a company out there that reproduces the rub rail ( i think thats whats its called the stainless/ rubber rail that runs around the boat)..........

[BrendellaJet]

Your hull looks like it is original colors? Is there any paint on it, or is the metal flake mixed with the gel? If any of it is flaking off, you definitely need to sand it off so you have a good bond. If its solid, Id rough it up with 80 grit and go to town.
Im doing my boat right now. Im spraying gel. Going very well. Lots of sanding, but I think it will be well worth it. Paint will chip easily.

[Wally_Gator]

Sanding Metalflake....
Definately make sure that you use a good mask. Older boats used actual metal in the gel. If this gets into your lungs it can cause a whole host of problems for you.

[JET-O-VATOR]

IT DOESNT SEEM TO BE COMING UP ANYWHERE. ITS NOT FLAKING OR ANYTHING ITS JUST BADLY FADED FROM THE SUN IM COLOR SANDING AND BUFFING IT AT THE MOMENT BUT ITS NOT SEAMING TO HELP AND SHE LOOKS GOOD WET BUT OTHER THAN THAT SHES UGLY AS SIN.....MY BOAT (http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1154my_boat-med.jpg)

[1HOTGMCJET]

If it looks good when it's wet, maybe you should consider just clearcoating the current gel - can't vouch for durability, but it'll probably look a LOT better for you - Good Luck!:)

[BrendellaJet]

Yep, I dont recall the name, but one of the guys(had a crusader hull I think) cleared over his and it looks awesome in photos. Id go that route if you are happy with the design...

[disco_charger]

You should really get ahold of Toddnjuzz on the boards. He's the guy when it comes to this. He might be able to save what you have. If you want to get rid of the colors you have, he's really amazing when it comes to that. I had him do some repairs and work to my gel, and the boat looks near new. His prices are waaaaaay under anyone else in the industry. I looked. :D

[JET-O-VATOR]

I DONT KNOW IF I POSTED THE PICTURE RIGHT BUT ITS THE MY BOAT (http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1154my_boat-med.jpg) BUT YEA WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS....

[BrendellaJet]

Definitely talk to todd. His work is very nice. Form the pics I've seen of your boat, its very straight. If you want to do it yourself, I can point you to a couple of websites that are very forthcoming with information regarding prep and application of the gel(if you wanted to redo...) the same sites could help you with the clear coat as well...

[JET-O-VATOR]

THAT WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BRENDELLA.... MY BOAT IS VERY STRAIGHT THERE IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF PATCH WORK ON THE WHOLE THING AND IT IS A LITTLE QUARTER SIZE NICK IN THE VERY BACK CORNER OF THE BOAT. THAT SOMEONE FILLED WITH BONDO HOW WOULD THAT BE FIXED RIGHT??

[JET-O-VATOR]

AND AS FOR THE RECLEAR IM NOT SURE IT WOULD COM OUT TO WELL BECASE THE BLUE HAS BURNED THROUGHT IN COUPLE OF SPOTS (OOOPS WITH A BUFFER) AND SILVER IS SHOWING THROUGH.

[BrendellaJet]

well, depending on how much bondo there is, it could be okay. Any idea how thick it is? Lots of the fillers are poly based, so they are compatible with gel. If you are concerned with it, grind it out and lay a little glass in there.
For websites, try barneys(havasubarney.com) I know Barney himself has created some issues around here, but he was very good to me as far as giving out information. Everything he told me was confirmed with info found on other sites, so I think the problems he has had were issues with repairs (specifically proper application and product compatibility.) Its a little slow over there, but you can sort through their old posts and find some useful stuff.
Without a doubt the best glass site I have found is at screamandfly.com. The guys over there know there stuff and are great when it comes to giving out information.
Im not sure if todd is willing to coach anyone through the process, but if you decide its too much work-go to him, hes good. I got good info from wally gator as well. Ive learned quite a bit and will try to answer any ?s as well. Its not brain surgery to spray gel. There is a lot of work involved. I have countless hours in body work before I even got to spray. Sanding after spraying is gonna be a lot of work as well...

[JET-O-VATOR]

THANX FOR ALL THE ADVISE THE BOAT IS STAYIN LIKE IT IS FOR THE SUMMER THATS A WINTER PROJECT FOR SURE

[mickeyfinn]

I have an older baja bowrider that the clear was totally shot. It was blue and silver metalflake. You could feel the roughness of the metalflake as you ran your hand over it. When I was putting the new flowcoat on the floor of my flat bottom I had a little left and put it over some of the faded metalflake. It looked great. So now I am wet sanding the metalflake and am going to wash it down with laquer thinner and spray some of that on it. Should be durable too. The stuff is a dupont product. I'll go look at the can if you like and give you the numbers.

[Sniper4x4]

Jet-o-vator, most of the boat supply shops sell the rub rail. I was able to buy mine for $250 installed at a local shop I have a 18 ft kona

[JET-O-VATOR]

GOD DAMN YOUR BOAT IS GORGEUS SNIPER JUST DECIDED SHES GETTIN PAINTED THIS WINTER IM THINKIN ALL BLACK WITH BLUE FLAMES ON THE BOW. I KNOW BLACK IS HOTT BUT THERES SOMETHING ABOUT A BLACK BOAT THAT IS JUST BADDAZZ

[BrendellaJet]

LOL! Mines gonna be all black!

[JET-O-VATOR]

lol we will be called "the black brendellas" lol

[Wally_Gator]

Jet-O-Vator,
My Boat had the old 70's lime green metalflake. It had faded into some ugly burnt orange, yellowish something or another. It looked horrible. Upon initial review of the boat, I said, there isn't alot to repair and I should be able to knock this out fast....LOL
Famous last words... The deck and upper half was great. Just a bit of sanding and I would be ready to spray gel. Then I flipped the boat over.. Nicks, gouges and the like. Patch, sand and re-patch the pinholes. Trying the keep the chines and strakes in good condition was not fun as well. But after several weeks of patching (only about an hour a day if I had that much time) I was able to spray gel. A couple of afternoons wet sanding the orange peel and a couple of gel patches where I sanded too much. I was ready to buff and polish. That afternoon with the boat in the sun. I was proud of my work. It looked good.
I have since put the boat right side up and sprayed the gel. This weekend I am going to sand an polish the thing and hopefully be ready to put it all back together.
I have several pics up here but will post before and after as soon as I am done.
If you put the time into it, you will love the result.
I can also vouch for Todd's work. I have seen it first hadn and he does some awesome work.
Walter

[fourspeednup]

Yo what's up...that flake is cool! Don't change it! Just be sure to splash a little water on it before you cruise over to the chicks:D :D LOL
How's she runnin for you? Have you gotten the rest of the milkshake out?

[JET-O-VATOR]

SHES RUNNING GOOD MILKSHAKE GONE