90 Bass Tracker 1600 TF project

[popo]

Hi all! I am new to this site as well as a new owner of a bass boat. I recently got my hands on a 90 Bass Tracker (fibergalss type) that needs a lil TLC, atleast in my opinion. Ive been checking various threads on restoring the shine to the gel coat which should not be a problem for me. One spot that really needs attention is in the picture below. How should I fix this? The spot is about the size of a golf ball.



Towards the back of the boat on both sides the previous, previous owner used what i believe to be rattle can paint to cover up spots. What should I use to remove this?



Here is another shot showing the spray paint



This pic just shows how the how the top layer, whether its spray on clear coat, or gel coat, is fading, peeling or flaking off.



Thanks for taking a look.

[JoeTPR]

Man thats sucks it was painted. Good thing gel coats are thick and can be sanded down quite a ways. Good luck with the project.

[thomasfouraker]

I would sand it all the way down, primer it, then roll and tip with interlux perfection. JMO. God luck!

[popo]

Thanks for the replies. Is interlux perfecion a Paint? I saw a video on rolling and tipping so I understand what I have to do there. How do I match or come close to matching the factory paint?

[thomasfouraker]

Yea Interlux Perfection is a paint not a gel coat. As far as color matching, you can look at all different 2 part poly paints to see if anything matches close. If you cant find a red that comes close, it looks like you have white stripes on the sides, I might would try to paint the top cap white to tie into the stripes. If you could get some full boat pictures that would give us a better idea of your options and be sure you mention all areas you are interested in painting. You could roll and tip the whole boat if need be. However, there is some controversy as to how above the waterline paint last on boats. Some say it blisters with time and I have heard others say no issues whatsoever.

[bassdad]

You could also check out Petit Easypoxy paints - I used their red single part poly on my resto. Make sure you thoroughly clean the area to be painted with acetone before you start sanding......check out "Ranger write-off: Sport R72" just down the page here - I rolled and tipped Easypoxy Bright Red over what was green/blue flake gel-coat. I dealt with Jamestown Distributors - good service and fast shipping at a low rate. Hope that helps......Dave

[BASSCAT7]

In the first pic the boat looks like it was sprayed with a cheap rattle can of Auto Clear Coat, that's what happens when it is used on gelcoat, you can see it flaking and lifting off the gel.
Once the sun starts to heat the auto clear up it wants to separate from the gelcoat.

The hole is thru the glass laminate layer and probably has absorbed water into the laminate. To fix it right it would need to be cut out, like you would do a drywall patch.
All the damaged/fractured glass would need to be cut out, leaving a hole fairly large to fix.
Ideally you would want to fix it from the inside if it can be reached. You'll need to layer glass mat to build up the laminate , then spray or brush gel or polyurethane paint for the outer shell.
The auto clear and rattle can paint can be sanded off, or can be chemically stripped off by a couple of brush on paint strippers that are made for use on fiberglass gelcoat.
They brush on and will separate the auto clear and paint from the gelcoat without damaging the gelcoat on the boat.
Make sure your transom and stringers are solid before you start doing any cosmetic work on the hull.
Those glass Tracker boats were an entry level price point boat and were not the best sealed glass hulls so check the transom structure well.

[popo]

Basscat, thanlx for the reply. I have to check and see if I can reach that spot from the inside which I think I can reach. The transom looks ok from what i can tell. Ill start with stripping off the clear coat and fixing that one spot and see how it comes out.