1978 V178 Ranger Help with topside finish

[Alpinegold]

I have a 1978 V178 Ranger with a 115 hp Johnson that is in very good shape across the board and it runs like a spotted tail Ape. I mostly crappie fish and use my boat at least 2 times a week.

The top side finish use to have a very good looking orange brown with gold glitter flake finish. You can see the orginal color by lifiting up the seats where the sun has not been able to fade the paint. I have worked the top side with a several good polishing and wax products. I can get the finish to a good glossy shine and protect it with wax.

Here is my question: the color has faded to a mostly brown with a hint of red with silver flake look. It is just not as pretty. The person I got the boat from tried to sand the finish which is something I would never do unless I was going to repaint the boat. Most if not all of the protectant gel coat was sanded off. Is there some kind of finish I can put on the top side to protect what paint I have on the boat. Dont really want to repaint the boat as I have done a lot of that on other boats I have owned. I would like to put a clear gel coat on it with may be a color aditive of gold.

Am I just wasting my time? Would like a good opinion.

 

[sdunt]

Re: 1978 V178 Ranger Help with topside finish

If you're talking only about the topside, then clear coat paint would be the answer. We're talking about the same stuff that is protecting the paint color on your and my car..

Spraying gelcoat is a real art and since you are looking for some thing to protect the finish from UV, thats what actually causes the fading, a clear finish would be a good choice.

Check with automotive shops, especially ones that do custom work.. There has to be the potential to spray on a light coat with the gold color added, then cover that with several thicker coats to protect the entire thing and give it a look of depth. I remember 'candy apple' paints that had depth to them..

Good luck, take lots of pictures..

For example this boat was repainted by an auto body shop:
http://www.olered.com/Reds_Scimitar.html

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1978 V178 Ranger Help with topside finish

You can add a small amount of pearl to the clear and get a slight tint closer to the color you want.

 

[Alpinegold]

Re: 1978 V178 Ranger Help with topside finish

Thank you very much for your input. That is on the same line as what I was thinking. I feel like putting a coat of clear gel coat with a hint of orange would make a difference in the way it looks. Don't get me wrong as it looks pretty skippy now but that was set it off. Thanks again

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1978 V178 Ranger Help with topside finish

Don't use gel coat, it will far more work and won't last as long, use a good automotive clear.