Hi Everyone I've got a 1979 Catalina 30, the thing has been sitting in the sun since new. Needless to say the paint/gelcoat is getting a little sun faded. I'm have the hull acid washed and waxed this week to see if that will be enough to restore the surface. But, the topsides are also faded.....beyond help I suspect. Is there an paint/gelcoat that can be applied that will restore it to a good condition? In particular I'm concerned about the non skid areas of the top that look like they would be difficult to sand/prepare for paint. Russ
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Thos Kober
Before you paint..
Before you paint, have you tried to remove the oxidation of the gel coat. Rubbing Compound or if that fails 600- 1200 grit WET sand paper under running water, you might be suprised your deck is not as bad as you think..
Before you paint, have you tried to remove the oxidation of the gel coat. Rubbing Compound or if that fails 600- 1200 grit WET sand paper under running water, you might be suprised your deck is not as bad as you think..
J
John Buckham
Try this?
I’ve got a ’78 that’s also been in the sun since new. It looked pretty bad when I bought it a couple of years ago. I was able to clean it up and make it shine by compounding and using the “Vertglass” system by Lovett Marine. The scoop, first use a buffer, mine is a Wen (yes a cheepie) 7” model 944 that’s proven to be durable and a great value for the money! I use the foam pads with 3M “Super Duty” compound to remove the oxidation form the gel coat. This stage takes quite some time, plan on a couple of days if you want to be through. You will also do quite a bit of compounding by hand as the buffer won’t reach many places on the boat-cap rails for instance. You’ll need several foam pads on hand for the boat, I used five of them. The “Vertgalss” system is a kit I bought from West Marine; it’s a boat wash, oxidation remover, sealer and sealer remover. Also included with the kit is a sealer applicator. Since I compounded the surface I didn’t use the oxidation remover, just the boat wash and sealer. The sealer is a thin-based goop that you apply with the chamois applicator. Vertgalss recommends five coats; it’s thin and easy to apply and dries quickly – 1-2 minutes in the sun. I applied it to the non-skid surfaces as well as the decks and cockpit area. When all was said and done it shined. It looked like the deck was wet after I had washed it – to get an idea-but it stayed shiny. It lasts a season, about 6 months in this part of the world) catch it before the gel coat begins to oxidize, you can touch up the thin spots, or use the sealer remover and start again with little trouble. Works for me. Boat looks good. Links: WEN Polisher http://www.wenproducts.com/powertools/944.htm Lovett Marine http://www.lovettmarine.com/ John.
I’ve got a ’78 that’s also been in the sun since new. It looked pretty bad when I bought it a couple of years ago. I was able to clean it up and make it shine by compounding and using the “Vertglass” system by Lovett Marine. The scoop, first use a buffer, mine is a Wen (yes a cheepie) 7” model 944 that’s proven to be durable and a great value for the money! I use the foam pads with 3M “Super Duty” compound to remove the oxidation form the gel coat. This stage takes quite some time, plan on a couple of days if you want to be through. You will also do quite a bit of compounding by hand as the buffer won’t reach many places on the boat-cap rails for instance. You’ll need several foam pads on hand for the boat, I used five of them. The “Vertgalss” system is a kit I bought from West Marine; it’s a boat wash, oxidation remover, sealer and sealer remover. Also included with the kit is a sealer applicator. Since I compounded the surface I didn’t use the oxidation remover, just the boat wash and sealer. The sealer is a thin-based goop that you apply with the chamois applicator. Vertgalss recommends five coats; it’s thin and easy to apply and dries quickly – 1-2 minutes in the sun. I applied it to the non-skid surfaces as well as the decks and cockpit area. When all was said and done it shined. It looked like the deck was wet after I had washed it – to get an idea-but it stayed shiny. It lasts a season, about 6 months in this part of the world) catch it before the gel coat begins to oxidize, you can touch up the thin spots, or use the sealer remover and start again with little trouble. Works for me. Boat looks good. Links: WEN Polisher http://www.wenproducts.com/powertools/944.htm Lovett Marine http://www.lovettmarine.com/ John.
L
LaDonna Bubak
Gelcoat forum
This really should be asked in the gelcoat forum but since you asked... Ask Jim in the Gelcoat Forum on this site. His Island Girl products get quite the high praise for restoring "beyond help" gelcoat problems. If you end up painting, the best is Sterling or Awlgrip. These are usually best applied by professionals so expect to pay through the nose. If you want to do it yourself, look at the cheaper alternative of Brightsides. I used it with decent success. As far as prepping the non-skid, I just sanded lightly and added silicond non-skid material to the painting process. Works fine, looks fine and a heck of a lot less trouble. But talk to Jim first in the Gelcoat Forum. LaDonna
This really should be asked in the gelcoat forum but since you asked... Ask Jim in the Gelcoat Forum on this site. His Island Girl products get quite the high praise for restoring "beyond help" gelcoat problems. If you end up painting, the best is Sterling or Awlgrip. These are usually best applied by professionals so expect to pay through the nose. If you want to do it yourself, look at the cheaper alternative of Brightsides. I used it with decent success. As far as prepping the non-skid, I just sanded lightly and added silicond non-skid material to the painting process. Works fine, looks fine and a heck of a lot less trouble. But talk to Jim first in the Gelcoat Forum. LaDonna
R
Russ Smith
Thanks LaDonna
Hi LaDonna Thanks for the help....will definately check in with the gelcoat forum. Russ
Hi LaDonna Thanks for the help....will definately check in with the gelcoat forum. Russ
R
Russ Smith
R
Russ Smith
Thanks Thos
Hi Thos I've heard of this technic before....a friend of mine in New Jersey suggested that. I've been a little concerned about small scratches, however my friend said it worked well on his Catalina 27. Anyway, the boat is going hauled from the water Saturday, they are going to do an acid wash on the hull, compound and wax, along with bottom paint....I'm hoping that will take care of the hull. I will try the sandpaper on the top sides....perhaps I'll have good luck with it too. Russ
Hi Thos I've heard of this technic before....a friend of mine in New Jersey suggested that. I've been a little concerned about small scratches, however my friend said it worked well on his Catalina 27. Anyway, the boat is going hauled from the water Saturday, they are going to do an acid wash on the hull, compound and wax, along with bottom paint....I'm hoping that will take care of the hull. I will try the sandpaper on the top sides....perhaps I'll have good luck with it too. Russ
J
John
Easy Poxy
Russ, Had a similar problem, but my nonskid was a putrid yellow color, so I decided to change the color. Used Pettit Easy Poxy after sanding with 600 grit, and the change was incredible. Many compliments, looks like a new boat. Supposed to last a couple of years.
Russ, Had a similar problem, but my nonskid was a putrid yellow color, so I decided to change the color. Used Pettit Easy Poxy after sanding with 600 grit, and the change was incredible. Many compliments, looks like a new boat. Supposed to last a couple of years.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.