Fixing up a 1984 Hunter 25.5 - Questions

[JKCMBOAT]

Hello, I just bought a 1984 Hunter 25.5 and I'm in the process of fixing it up. This is all new to me. I figued why not, I've always wanted a sail boat?! There are a number of things I need to do and I have some questions. Any advice is much appreciated.

- What clear finishes (brand and type) can be used on the exterior of the boat (top areas as well as teh hull but not including the actual bottom with the anti-fouling paint)? I believe this is called Gel Coat?

- Does anyone know the actual original paint color of the off-white, beige color of the hull? Does Interlux match this?

Thanks and I guarentee there will more questions to follow.

 

[Ed Schenck]

First a question for you. Why do you feel that it needs to be painted? Have you tried to clean and polish the surfaces? Maybe start here: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266 . Also Google Don Casey articles.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I agree about painitng the boat as a last resort.

Clean the boat off. Then take a compouond called Finess It by 3M( get the paste, not the liquid kind) apply and buff at a low speed making sure the buffer moves back and forth.. If you hold it while running in one place, you can burn the gel. Depending on the age, you may have to do this twice. Then apply 3M cleaner wax and buff. Then add Melges pure wax to that. Yes it is alot of work but the result is what you want. I suggest waxing the hull once a year and the decksides twice a year minimum once in the spring and then again in the fall.

As a former small boat dealer for Hunter, this is what I did and all my customers were happy with the outcome.

Crazy Dave Condon

 

[charlieyacht]

I agree with Dave and Ed. A polyurethane paint job is pretty difficult. Gelcoat patching is pretty easy. A white gelcoat will work pretty well on repairs. You can buy some tints and play with it but better to find some good cutlines if you spray. Get a good fiberglass repair manual and don't be afraid. The results can be truly astonishing. My 1983 23.5 looks great. I used Meguiars which also makes a good line of products. The hull responded well to a good polishing with the No 49 oxidation remover and a quick application of the No 56 pure carnauba wax. The deck was more work: wet sanding with 600 and then 1000 wet or dry followed by the No 49 and No 56. When you wet sand take a pencil and scribble all over the part you are sanding so you are sure to sand it all because the pencil comes off as you wetsand. After that wash it once a week and it will look great. You can also remove those funny stripes with a heat gun/hair dryer a plastic or wood scraper and some patience.