Automotive clearcoat...

[Josh256v]

I know that the auto clear coat isn't the same and doesn't hold up as well. I'm not looking for a permanent fix, but something to last a few years until i get ready to sell this boat and get another one. I am about to begin the wet sanding and polishing and i'm thinkin about clearing it if it doesn't come back to a nice shine. I'm just looking for some suggestions of what I could use that would last maybe 5 years for me. I only gave 1200 bucks for my boat and it's just not practicial to re-gel it.

Thanks

[Rollo331]

Your on track wet sand and buff first if it has any clear left on it it should shine right up...

you might want to pic a small area and do it before doing the entire boat...

[jglenn]

check out awlgrip.


http://www.awlgrip.com

[merklerob]

after you wet sand and wax it if that doesnt solve the problem. try vertglas its like a clear coating you apply to above the water line areas. i find you need to coat it every year or two

https://www.ideas2web.com/lovettmarine/default.asp

[AnglerInsiderDOTcom]

I've been researching this myself and I'd personally stay away from vertglas and similar products. I've heard a number of people have this start to yellow and getting it off is a MAJOR project.

You will be much better off from everything I've read to paint using awl or interloc if it needs it... Interloc is a brush-on 1 part application. That is what I'm planning anyway...

[curiousangler]

Hey Josh, I just came back from the marina where I get my boat worked on , he has got an older boat and just did it with automotive clear I dont think he wet sanded it he said he got it smooth with steel wool , then shot it with the clear he said it will last atleast a good two years cant beat that for 120 bucks and time .

[Josh256v]

that doesn't sound too bad, if I kept it longer than 2 years 120 bucks every 2 years is very feesable...

[AB]

If you're gonna do it, do it right.



I wet sanded my rig with 400 grit paper just until the color started to come back. Use LOTS of water and frequently change the paper. Be careful that you don't sand too deep. Once it looks nice wet, let it dry. It will look like chit when it dries. Use a good paint prep cleaner to clean it, then hit it with DuPont Imron. It is expensive and not very healthy (use a forced air respirator and a full body suit). I used a gallon on my rig, plus the reducer, and should have put at least another half gallon on it. It so far looks as good as the day I put it on close to three years ago. If you use too fine of a paper the Imron will have nothing to stick to. 400 will give you a good smooth finish but still let it stick. Once done you may have to wet sand it with some 2000 or finer to get the orange peel effect out....

[Rollo331]

agree nice boat awesomeBullet!

[AnglerInsiderDOTcom]

did you use the clear dupont imron? how long will that last? thx.

[Josh256v]

wow...that looks really good. that sounds like it may be a little over my head. I'm going to wet sand with 1200 and polish and see where I stand. It may be good enough, I don't plan on keeping this boat for a super long time. That Bullet looks awesome tho!

[AB]

Guys, that pic don't do her justice at all...It looks showroom new. There are a few cracks in the clear on the top cap, that is my fault. I forgot to buy the plasticizing agent for the Imron and decided to go ahead and shoot it without it. It is clear DuPont Imron, applied with a cheapy Campbel Hausfeld spray gun from Tractor Supply. I did use an inline filter/drier on the compressor and turned a garage into a makeshift spray booth. It's amazing what that cheap visquine at WalMart can do. Like $5 for a roll big enough to mask the boat and build a pro-looking spray booth. Sprayed the topcap and inside one day, let it cure overnight, the next day sprayed the outside of the hull. Then brought it home and let it sit for 2 weeks to let the paint fully cure. If I do another one, I think I'll try spraying gel and see how it does.

[Sarge]

That sure is an awesome job ya did AB

[AB]

Thanks for the compliments guys! It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

[fishnfireman]

I did an 82 Ranger with Clear Imron.. then sold the boat a year later to a buddy.

He kept the rig for 6 years and said it still looked good.

We did keep it tarped when not in use..

[Trick]

Being a car guy and not a boat guy, I don't understand why auto clear coat, properly applied, wouldn't be as good? I have seen many a car sit out in the sun that gets decades out of a clear coat before there is no turning back. I know where a corvette is sitting in the weeds since the early 80's that could be wet sanded and would look great. He wants a TON of money or I would own it. :)

But the point is I would think that a well maintained auto clear job done correctly should last many years. I see boats less than 10 years old on ebay that look like crap. That stuff can't be that much better.

Anyway, I have been thinking about this since I first read this topic. I do not know boats. But fiberglass is fiberglass, aint it? :D

[perfect-storm]

AB, that boat looks awesome.