Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

[Drew9753]

I have been reading this forum over the past couple months while looking for a boat but this is the first time posting anything. I bought a 1999 Four Winns 190 last week and spent the past week cleaning, buffing, polishing and waxing, etc. Now I am ready to move on to the more involved repairs to the side of the boat with some fairly significant dock rash (ultimately the reason I could afford the boat in the first place - I was quoted a professional price to refinish the entire side of the boat for $1600). I have read numerous threads on here about gel coat repair but I figured it might be good to get the experts opinions that are specific to my situation. I have attached pictures but if you need more in better light, let me know.

I see there are some different products out there and I could use some guidance on which one(s) to go with. Spectrum has the white paste and also has the black gel coat for the 99 Four Winns but I am sure it would not match at this point. Evercoat has a DIY color match kit. I have seen threads that also talk about Marine Tex and 3M 4200. All of this is new to me so if someone could provide some step-by-step directions from beginning to end I would greatly appreciate it. I have limited knowledge but I am willing to put in the hours necessary to do the job and save the money. Thanks for your help.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

The good news is it appears only some surface damage to the gel coat and your striping. If you don't like the graphics on the boat, remove & replace. If you do, well you're stuck with going to a Four Winns dealer and having them order for you as Four Winns won't sell to the public - I've tried already and that's the spiel I was given.

IF it were me, I'd be buying the already color matched gel coat. I've used the color mix kit you're talking about on my Bayliner and its anything but user friendly. I'd call it a waste of money and from the amount of repairs you're doing, you may not even have enough gel coat to do the repair from the kit.

The 4200 is used if you're bedding fasteners. Won't be needed in this type of repair. Not sure on use of Marine Tex but that's not what you're after here either so there's two products you won't need to buy. You will need some acetone to clean out the gouges so the new gel sticks. US Composites seems to be a good candidate but I was walking through Homeless Depot the other day and they stock it as well. Your choice as to what's convenient/price.

From the looks of things, this is a boat that rubbed up against a dock for a while. Didn't the PO ever hear of, or use, Fenders??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

I agree ^^^ Those are probably decals and not color gelcoat. As for the white, You can get the factory color but it won't match cuz the 14 yr old gel will have oxidized and faded. If you want it perfect you will need to buy the graphics, as stated, and buy some gelcoat and tint and attempt to match the faded gelcoat. Warning, It's and ART and very difficult to acheive.

 

[Drew9753]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

They are definitely decals. I am not sure how to handle those either. I figured I would deal with the gel coat first and then figure out what to do with the decals. I am not completely opposed to removing them altogether but I am guessing that will leave a difference in the black gel coat (faded vs. not faded). I can try to find replacement decals either from a third party or a Four Winns dealer depending on the price.

So does this look like the right stuff for the white at least:

PATCH PASTE KIT

They do not have the black for the 99 year but they have for 2000 - I will likely never get it matched perfect anyway:

PATCH PASTE KIT

There is also this gel coat that only comes in a gallon - seems crazy to pay over $200 for a gallon when I don't think I will need anywhere close to that amount:

GALLON MINIMUM

Should I be using the gel coat or the paste?

As far as the fender question - I guess the story is that the PO had fenders in place but a storm came through and some lines came loose so the boat got scraped up.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

I don't think 2oz of White or Black is gunna be enuf. I'd contact USComposites.com and work with them on getting the quantities and tints you'll need to do the repairs. They're really helpful down there. Where are you located???

 

[Drew9753]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

I don't think 2oz of White or Black is gunna be enuf. I'd contact USComposites.com and work with them on getting the quantities and tints you'll need to do the repairs. They're really helpful down there. Where are you located???

I am in Southeast Michigan - Oakland County. I will look into US Composites. Thanks.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

For the decals....start peeling Then probably a heat gun and/or some goo-gone (or equivalent).

What you have is the "appearance package" that Four Winns applies to its boats. It's about a $400-700 option when you order the boat. That's mighty expensive for a set of stickers - which is why I didn't pop for them myself.

How's the other side look? Just as torn up? If so, my vote would be to strip the decals completely off and source a replacement set from somewhere other than Four Winns. Many vinyl options out there for marine use. Just do a google search to find many. If you have family, it might be a good search for them to do to get them involved in the rebuild process. Great way to personalize the boat. Just an option...


While you're ordering supplies...what sandpaper do you have on hand? You'll want to get some 1000, 2000 and possibly either 400 or 800 grit. Then some cutting compound and polishing compounds along with a good paste wax. Friscoboater just did a how-to on polishing a boat with various compounds and wet sanding. You might want to check that out as well.

 

[Drew9753]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

The other side of the boat is actually in good shape including the decals. There's a few other scratches that could use a little attention. I have a variety of sand paper up to 1500 grit.

What's the difference between the patch paste and the gel coat from spectrum or direct from four winns?

 

[Drew9753]

Re: Gouges Repair on 1999 Four Winns

Can anyone describe the difference between the Spectrum patch paste and the Spectrum Gel Coat? Or is the 2 oz patch paste just a smaller version of the Quart or Gallon Gel Coat? Is there one that would be a better choice for my situation? Thanks.