Just need a new Gel Coat?

[Josh256v]

my 88 Stratos has the typical finish of a 17 year old boat. I've had people tell me i just need a new gel coat. I dunno what I should do. I'm gonna do alot to it this fall, electronics, carpet, windshield, painting cowl, new stickers. does anyone have any idea on what i should do about the finish? I've used oxdation remover, and i wax it with boat wax. it looks ok. some other guys have said i just need to take an orbital to it buff and polish it. I have no idea about any of this stuff, i want it to look as new as possible, i'd love to have the sharpest 15'6" Stratos around!

[madawaskabass]

Hey Josh

Welcome to the board. I'm new here myself and have an 88 procraft so I think I know what you may be dealing with. My boats cap wasn't too bad but I decided to wet sand it anyways and when I was done it was mint. I wet sanded first with I think 1500 and then used rubbing compound after. Then I used a buffer and applied a good quality wax made for boats and the finish of the boat came out like new. I found that the sheep skin buffing wheel worked the best and really left a super shiny surface. Good luck

Joe

[Josh256v]

awesome, i will have to try that. i have no idea how to wet sand, maybe i can find someone who is good at it. Anyone in central AL got a clue how to do this?

[Tripp T.]

I would like to know how to do that myself. I am in the same boat with oxidation.

[madawaskabass]

Its not a difficult thing to do but it does take alot of time. The most important thing is to use lots of water and go slowly little by little. You don't want to take off to much gell coat because once its gone your out of luck. You just want to take enough to leave the surface smooth instead of that rough feeling that it probably has now. If the boat is metal flake be extra carefull and watch for the flake. If it starts to change colour your going to deep. Start in an area thats not to noticable to practice so if you make a mistake no one will notice. Just take your time and you will do fine. I used the turtle wax red rubbing compound on mine after the wetsanding and it worked well to put some moisture back in the gell. Do all of the wet sanding and compound work by hand and then use a buffer to apply a good quality wax and you'll be amazed at the results. I prefer the sheep skin buffing pad as it will leave a wet look. Good luck

[Josh256v]

anyone near B'ham wanna help out? about how much does something like this cost? materials? could a body shop do this, i know a guy who has a business and he can hook me up i'm sure

[ProcraftMike]

The wet sanding you need to do on your boat is no different than what the body shops do on cars. All you need is the wet sanding paper (normally black in color), in the appropriate grit size, which is readily available just about anywhere that carries autobody stuff. The expense to do it yourself is very minimal. Most of it is labor. Some body shops would probably tackle this project for you, if you didn't want too.

[lkhartwl]

check with sherman williams for a product called sher-clear it is a clear coat for your boat. I am headed over to get a gallon( 48 bucks) and it can be put on with out a sprayer. tho if you have one it can be used also. I will let you all know how it works as I went on line and checked it out. you just cannot use it on submerged parts of the boat. The top cap is fine.

[Tripp T.]

Will the wet sanding get the oxidation out and bring the colr bak? Don't want to do all that work and drink all the beer required for that kind of labor if I will still need to have the cap redone.

[madawaskabass]

The wetsanding will get rid of the oxidation. In other words the white haze will be gone. If done right the cap will feel smooth and shiney.

[Tripp T.]

Guess I need to get sandpaper and beer.

[madawaskabass]

You'll do just fine as long as you take your time. Good luck

[Rollo331]

Use a foam sanding block with your paper.finish off with a BUFFER and 2000 grit compound and it will go pretty fast....get it nice and pretty and then wax it....