1984 Ranger 375v time to restore it.

[Lucilleln]

Well here is the back story. I have been watching these forums for probably 2 years reading everything I can. So I went out and got a 1983 MonArk Mcfast that was nasty bad. I had to redo all the seats myself and did an auto clear ontop to make it shine again.(I'll try and find some before and after pics) Hit some hard time didn't like fishing out of it beeing that it felt like I was up 20 feet haha, so I sold it .

So here I am now, Just went out and got this 1984 Ranger 375v with a very Nice running 150hp Merc. ( Guy I got it from just went threw it pretty much)









The Gel is gone ontop you rub it and you get flake. So my plan is to actually Gelcoat this one because well its a Ranger and pretty much my dream boat. Last 2 days I have been stripping everything off of it.

My gues is I am going to have to do the transom. It looks solid there isn't any soft spots but I havn't Taken the motor off yet to get a good look at it.


I have been reading everything I can find on these forums on re gelcoating. So I understand the steps for the most part. My plan is to do it solid white with masking off all the little Ranger lines and tring to reclear those back so they shine. Then add some pin stripping.

So I just have a few questions if you guys could help me with I would be very thankfull.


1. So before I spray. The prep is to sand the old gel down a little not off then spray the new directly on it correct?

2. My main question. How much Gelcoat am I going to need? I have no clue me and my Dad have painted cars before but that isn't the same from what I have read.

3. Do I clear the entire boat?

4. Can I use a standard HVLP gun?


Thanks in advance for your help I know this is the place to go with questions everyone seams nice and very helpfull. I'll keep everyone posted on the prog. (wish me luck haha)


Modified by Lucilleln at 10:22 AM 8/3/2010

[Big Bass Man]

Good Luck with your restore Welcome to BBC

[Firefighter615]

Shooting Gel isn’t hard it is just tricky, because it will kick (start to harden) in the gun if you are not real fast about it. I sanded mine down with a DA and 220 grit paper then shot gel coat primer on it. Lightly sanded it, wiped it down with lacquer thinner then shot the color. Let it set over night and if I found any runs then I sanded them down with a block and wiped everything down and mixed clear and flake and shot it again, I did this until I built it up the thickness that I wanted. After that I wet sanded, buffed, waxed then enjoyed.

As far as how much material will you need I worked with the folks at Fibre Glast (http://www.fibreglast.com) they were very helpful with helping me determine how much gel I needed to do mine.

One thing that I would suggest, is that you get a can like an old lacquer thinner can and cut the top off and mix all your materials in the can EXCEPT DO NOT put MEKP in the mixing container or you will have a fire for one and a block of gel that will not come out of the can.

One thing that I would do differently is have another person there to measure and mix the MEKP just before I ran out of gel in the cup. I would also suggest getting a second cup for the gun so you can just swap out the cups when you are ready for a new load and the person mixing can clean the now empty cup and get it ready for another batch.

I hope this helps you, if you have any questions please ask and I will try to help you the best that I can.

Also if you would like to look at the pictures of my boat that I shot gel on click on the link provided. http://home.comcast.net/~boats615/ranger.htm

[Lucilleln]

Thanks for the help Firefighter. I have looked at your restore a many times it came out very nice (I can only hope mine comes out as nice). So I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thankfully I found this forum just reading it has helped a ton. I also have a good group of helpers with my dad and people in the neighborhood.

Update on the boat. All the carpet is off. All the seats, lids, side rails, and little things are off. I'll post some pics tonight. with somthing a little better than my phone.

[Firefighter615]

Good deal, but like the old saying goes to many cook in the kitchen spoils the soup. I hope that is not the case for you. I would love to see better pictures of the boat, keep up the work and it will turn out great. On mine from start to finnish it took me two years but a lot of that time was lack of funds to do more to it, but keep at it and see it through and it will be very nice when you get it done and back in the water.

Talk with you soon

Tony (AKA Firefighter 615)

[Lucilleln]

There won't be to many cooks in the kitchen when I say I have a team of helpers it's more like they have volunteered to help with things I don't have. Like an engine hoist CnC router and what not. I'll be doing everything myself... Well I can't say that I actually got my wife to help remove the rub rail last night haha.

I'm going to start the framework to make the casting deck longer tonight. I think it was Aaron that did it with his 1981 I love the way that came out.

update: I really need to get some batteries for my camera. The boat is naked with a motor.

[KY 374V]

Cool! Cant wait to see the progress as you restore your 375v.

[5-limit]

I love them hulls on them I had a 350 v great boat good luck

[Lucilleln]

Update. I'm in Michigan until Sunday. BUT The boat is sanded, the Gelcoat is on its way, and..... I wish I was home to work on it.

I'll actually post pics when I get home I have my cam working now

[ZReel]

Welcome...I love my 375V

[Lucilleln]

I just did the BassCat gelcoat repair steps. When I got it I could rub it and get flake. Now Its smooth and shinny. I am amazzed So I don't have to paint it. Happy day for me I get to sit watch the race and wait for my carpet to get in.

[Lucilleln]

Here are some new pics








I coated the deck and frame with fiberglass resin then rhino line stuff to prevent water damage. I forgot to get step by step picks. I also had to wood and glass in the very front deck it was soft. The boat has been wet sanded buffed polished and waxed. It's still faded some but looks 100 times better. I will try and get a few more pics when it is all the way done.

[B.R.ONE]

Good luck on the rebuild.

[761lofton]

Looking good. Still love the look of the older Rangers. Defiantly a classic.