Hull and Paint question

[peter@awproducts.com]

Hello Everyone,<br /><br /> I have an old Steury which was gifted to me. The hull is painted flat black from the water-line down. It's rough to the touch and doesn't have a crisp line where it meets the gel-coat above the water-line. This leads me to believe that it was brushed on somehow. Is there a way to sand it all off and make it look like white gel coat again? I believe that the gel coat is sprayed into the form and then backed by layers of fiberglass so I don't know what I could do. Any help is always appreciated. Thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: Hull and Paint question

If it was sanded, prior to the bottom coat, you'll be hard pressed to get the gel coat to shine again.<br /><br />Typically, once a bottom coat is applied, it's a life sentence.

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Hull and Paint question

I am in the process of doing a simular job. I am having decent luck using a DA and 220 sand paper then 800 then 00000/steelwool followed up with an electric buffer(A LOT OF ELBOW GREASE) and some buffing compound. If the gel is thick enough you could get a decent shine back. I am also asking paint and gelcoat info, as I am no pro so try this in a test spot before a complete job. I will be trying 1200 grit next to see if it will produce a better shine, (as pre instructed by a bodyman at my work. Good luck and happy sandin LOL.

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Hull and Paint question

As it turns out the process works wonders, I have a very glossy gelcoat that has been under the most hideous industrial blue rough to the touch paint, for several years. HOWEVER, I found that there was some body work done to the bottom, probably the reason they painted. After sanding with 220 grit, just down to the gelcoat, use 800 grit or up to 1200 grit. Then buff out with rubbing or buffing compound. Follow up with a quality wax and, yes the buffer. You should end up with a very glossy, and somewhat faster boat. Good Luck

 

[peter@awproducts.com]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Thanks Guys. Wave-Goodbye, I have a feeling, like you said, that there may be some hull work on it. After all, why would they put on a bottom coat in the first place. Thanks again.

 

[flashback]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Hey guys, most likly the paint you refer to on the bottom is "anti-fouling paint" which is used when a boat is left in the water all season..or in the case of my sailboat, year round..make sure you wear a good dust mask when sanding, that stuff is nasty.........

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Hey, New at it, even though I (or you) find body work underneath, the benefits from getting the SMOOTH gelcoat finish back, might just be worth the trouble. Im not sure what kind of boat you have or the way you will be using the boat. But if you are looking to improve your speed,(and who is'nt)even gas mileage, friction is a BAD thing. I now have half of a side finished, and if you run your hand down the side from the paint on over to the gelcoat, the friction factor is almost removed. And she shines like a new boat. So far I have about 50 dollars (if that) invested in restoring the gelcoat, I could have bought more expensive tools but why, I'm not trying to out do the Jones's just fix-r-up. Oh and by the way I tryed the 1200grit sand paper, after the 220 and it almost shines without buffing. I took some pics before I started. I cant wait to see it finished, Good luck whatever you decide, Have fun....!!

 

[peter@awproducts.com]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Wave Goodbye - BTW What is a DA??? Thanks

 

[peter@awproducts.com]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Wave Goodbye. I would love to see the before and after pictures. Do you have them online? Thanks

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Hull and Paint question

A DA is an orbital sander, this is one that spins AND ocilates, making a oval pattern instead of just a circle or back-n-forth. As far as the pics I would post them but dont know how. Just for the extra info: this is my first go at this kind of project. If it was'nt for a good friend at work, I would not know any of this, but if you are ok with power tools, I'm sure you will do fine, gelcoat is really ez to work with. "I WOULD NOT TRY TO DO A CAR"!!! I am told it is quite differant on metal. Unless you have experiance you can easily burn the finish of cars. The secret (not to burn) is to KEEP IT MOVING, dont hold in one place, AT ALL!!! Remember that, and you'll be a pro in one night.<br />I will try to put the pics on a web page hosted from my isp. Talk at ya next time.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Hull and Paint question

There is a chemical remover to the antifouling paint, but if it is applied properly there would be an epoxy primer underneath. The chemical removing es far the easyest. I am not sure a boat will go faster with a perfectly smooth buttom, I read somewhere a boat with pattern from rolling paint on goes faster - a little like the shark skin reducing friction.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Originally posted by G DANE:<br /> - a little like the shark skin reducing friction.

Actually G Dane, I think it increases friction but reduces suction by more.

 

[Wave goodbye]

Re: Hull and Paint question

With a vast variety of boat manufactures that test all types of hull designs,in all kinds of variables, if it improved performance, I would think one of them would be doing it. My Father is a boat design fanatic, I just got off the phone with him and he says, "That a uniform coat of a paint and course sand should increase the boats speed by a few MPH's at best. This theory is attributed to a turbine designer by the name of Tesla. If you can effectively break the suction, the boat would move faster and even get on plane faster. But I am restoring so Im going with the gelcoat. My brother is a "Rep for Godfrey Marine" I'll ask him if they are doing anything like that. Hey New at this, either way have fun at it

 

[peter@awproducts.com]

Re: Hull and Paint question

Thanks Wave-Goodbye. I appreciate all of your input. Keep me posted on how your coming along!