'97 Astro topcoat restoration...

[HammytheFisherman]

Well, after reading NUMEROUS threads and Basscat's thread over and over I have finally decided to try and renew the topcoat on my '97 Astro. Like I have told BC the topcoat is rather cloudy, rough and "dull" when looking at it (unlike the bottom of the boat which is beautiful). I am waiting on my Perfect It II to show up in the mail so that I can start working on the boat next week.

I am posting a couple BEFORE pics in this thread now to show how the boat looks now. I am hoping that I will be able to post some good AFTER photos once I am done with the entire process. I am hoping to wetsand, compound, polish, seal and wax the weekend after next when I have 3 days off. Leave comments to the gelcoat and NOT the dirtiness of the boat! It will be washed!

I will take any suggestions though prior to me diving into this head first.

Rear driver side:


Rear passenger side:


Starboard:


Trolling Motor Area

[BOMBER175]

Hammy, when you get done with this thing,yuou are gonna be sooooo imprerssed with what it looks like.
Follow Basscat7's thread to the letter and you will be fine.

[Neubs24]

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=513856

to give you an idea of what it can be

[HammytheFisherman]

Thanks guys! I can't wait to see how it turns out. Neubs, if it turns out ANYTHING like the way your boat did I will be in love all over again!

That boat looks beautiful my friend. I can only hope that I will be posting the same type of pictures in a week or 2.

[Neubs24]

thats not mine (wish it was), I just remembered it when I saw your pictures

[okiefisher8]

I just got started on my 1985 ranger today. It's gonna be a long process but I can't wait to see the end results

[Big Bass Man]

Post pics when your through, you want be dissappointed .

[HammytheFisherman]

Well, yesterday my girlfriend and I were able to wetsand with 800 and then 1500 grit. Nothing beats a girlfriend who wants to help wetsand and restore your boat with you. Like most of the things I have read the boat now looks a little dull because of the sanding marks, but the cloudiness appears to have gone away!

Pending the forecast today I plan to wetsand with 2000 and clean the boat really well. If I get the time then I hope to compound and polish her today as well!

If not, then Friday will be the day I finish everything up and take some final pictures. I took some pics last night after the wetsanding, but they are still on my girlfriends camera.

[HammytheFisherman]

Man oh man oh man! I must say that I have bugged the heck out of BassCat7 over the source of the last month in regards to working on my boat. After starting last weekend with the above pictures I was FINALLY able to wetsand with 2000 grit, compound, polish and seal the topcoat today! All I can say is WOW! Oh... and for my first time using a "high speed" polisher I didn't burn any gel!

I followed the instructions to about the "T" and everything came out better than I imagined. Some stubborn spots are still around, but they are barely noticeable. I am on my way home to resize the pictures that I took today so I will post those asap. My new seats are being delivered tomorrow so I will try to take a final pic when the seats and everything is finally back on the boat (trolling motor, cleats etc).

Thank you BassCat7 and everyone else on this forum for your great tips and insight. You guys have no idea how much you help people everyday!

[HammytheFisherman]

Okay... here go the pictures as promised! Thanks again for all the help guys! Again, I'll take a couple final pictures once I get my new seats and all of my hardware reinstalled (minus a windshield because ordering one next week).

After Wetsanding:


Another Wetsanding:


Rear Driver(2) AFTER:




Rear Passenger(2) AFTER:




Trolling Motor(2) AFTER:




Left Side AFTER:


Right Side AFTER:

[BASSCAT7]

Josh that truned out real nice. Just keep it prtoected now so the oxidation does not get a chance to reform.

[HammytheFisherman]

I will do. Thanks again for everything Stan!

I bought a bunch of BBS so I keep her wiped down constantly! I am also going to use the Protec sealer every couple of months during the year to keep it nice and protected.

[BOMBER175]

Hammy, I told you so! That thing is gorgeous again! Great job!
These are for you!