texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,580
TexDawg 119,524
Bigbob_FTW 94,902
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,264
Bob Davis 81,500
Mark Perry 72,293
Derek 🐝 68,312
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,850
Posts13,935,532
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Boat finish #11556614 04/21/16 02:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
W
WithoutRemorse Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
W
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
About a year ago, I bought a 1993 Champion 204 DCX Elite. The previous owner had done a ton of work to it. One of things done was he had it refinished and they sprayed it with automotive clear. The gel coat was sanded prior to spraying, and from what I can tell, they did a good job. Fast forward to the present, and it is beginning to get pretty milky on the top cap, and there are places that the clear coat is starting to flake off on the transom. Not having a ton of money to put into the boat right now, what would you do to re-finish it?

I can try wet sanding and reshooting a clear coat, or do I try to sand all of the clear off and refinish the gel coat? I have thought about just wrapping the boat, but with the clear already flaking off in spots, I think I would have to sand the clear coat off anyway before I can wrap it. If I have to go through that much work, why not just refinish the gel coat? The following are pictures from when I first bought the boat. I will add present pictures this afternoon when I get home.






Re: Boat finish [Re: WithoutRemorse] #11556718 04/21/16 03:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 25,659
T Bird Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 25,659
Clear coats of any type are not used on gel-coat. If finish is too damaged that wet sand/polish will not bring it back, then only option would be to have it re-shot with new gel-coat or vinyl wrap.

Last edited by T Bird; 04/21/16 03:26 PM.

Okie by birth, Texan by choice.
[Linked Image]
USAF "Thunderbirds" Alumni 1985-1989




Re: Boat finish [Re: T Bird] #11556751 04/21/16 03:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
W
WithoutRemorse Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
W
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
Originally Posted By: T Bird
Clear coats of any type are not used on gel-coat. If finish is too damaged that wet sand/polish will not bring it back, then only option would be to have it re-shot with new gel-coat or vinyl wrap.


Just for clarification, I know that they are not normally used, but this is the case for my boat. I don't see any other option right now but having to get all of the clear coat off. regardless if I refinish the gelcoat or wrap it.

Re: Boat finish [Re: WithoutRemorse] #11556806 04/21/16 03:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
No auto finish will last. Sorry to be giving crappy news.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Boat finish [Re: WithoutRemorse] #11557022 04/21/16 05:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733
M
militarybrat Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
M
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733
There are several manufacturers that produce clear coats not gel for use on boats. They are expensive about 280.00 a gallon some more. They all require an etching fluid be put on the gel first so that the paint bonds with the gel. Examples are Dupont Axalta Imron clear which is a 2 part Poly Urethane rated for submersion in salt water. Merritt Supply carries Dupont Axalta if you are interested.


Another manufacturer is Supermarine their sm 266 Ironside Urethane is rated for submersion in salt water. This is also a 2 part Urethane that will last a long time on a boat carries a 10 yr warranty when applied by their instructions. You will have to use sm 695 etching cleaner on the gel first after you sand or strip off the clear auto finish.They also have a product called sm 1000 Revolution which I am going to put to the test this weekend on my trolling motor which has aluminum end caps and steel center. They claim it can be brushed without leaving brush marks I will see and post pics of all products after application. Just to be clear metal takes 2 different primers 1st sm 664 D etching primer (sandable) 2nd sm 7390 epoxy primer (sealer) then the sm 1000 revolution paint in black. It is bare metal right now so etching will be done with sm 695 etching cleaner before any paint is applied.

Both manufactures Dupont and Super marine there are others these are the 2 I narrowed my choice to. When they say rated for submersion they mean put it under saltwater and leave it there. Both are rated bottom paints (not anti fouling that is different) that take a beating in salt water more so than any bassboat.


Who ever said nothing in life is impossible.
Never tried slamming a revolving door.
Re: Boat finish [Re: Pat Goff] #11557451 04/21/16 08:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,000
S
SC-001 Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
S
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,000
Originally Posted By: Pat Goff
No auto finish will last. Sorry to be giving crappy news.
X2, what was done to your boat should have never been done.

Re: Boat finish [Re: WithoutRemorse] #11557727 04/21/16 11:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733
M
militarybrat Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
M
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733
If you are like me you cannot stand the peeling mess someone else did. The only solution to that is sand off or strip that old chit off. Lookin at the carpet you should sand it off. A good dual action sander lots of hook and loop sanding disc I'd use 220 grit to get the clear down close then finish with a sponge by hand. When I got to the gel I would see if I could restore it if so that is what I would do. At a cost of about 500.00 for materials it makes sense to. This is going to be alot of work mostly by hand that said for me it is worth it. By the way nice classic Champion just needs some love. I restored the gel on mine. I have also painted a Skeeter ZX185c an amazing white PPG concept it still looks like it just came off the floor no cracks no chalking no peeling just looks wet. That PPG paint was 400.00 a gallon 8 yrs ago worth every penny.

This is what I would: I would enjoy that boat just like it is. The whole time saving up 1000.00 for materials then another 2000.00 for labor and let a shop do it. For me I am the shop so I would be in the 1000.00 range. Either way that Champ is a sweet boat enjoy it!


Who ever said nothing in life is impossible.
Never tried slamming a revolving door.
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3