Just clear coat on top?

[crashkaloop]

I just bought a 1989 Ranger boat. The boat is in good shape, except for parts of the deck, and I would like to get that back original condition.

Below the rub rail, the hull looks new, and I mean NEW! No scratches, dings, or anything. A little wax on the colored section, and it could be back in the showroom. The boat is a typical Ranger for that time, with lots of metal flake in many colors, and looks nice. But there is peeling, fading, and discoloration of a thin layer on top which looks like it was clear. In fact, in many spots this clear looks fine and needs no work. This coating is cracking and peeling and I want to address this problem.

Now, I don't know if this is gel coat, or a clear top coat, or what, and I really don't care much because it has to be removed. What I would like to know is what is underneath it?

To me it seems like just the fancy paint is there, even though I doubt its paint. But it is all metal flake, and is in pretty good condition. Is this metal flake considered gel coat, resin, paint, or what?

What I would like to do is remove this top clear coat, and redo it with some clear Awlgrip or something. I do not want to put gel coat back on as I think that would be beyond my abilities.

Any suggestions?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Just clear coat on top?

This topic has been discussed a lot here on the forum. There is no real good way to restore it. It is Gelcoat. You could remove the flaking stuff and then re-shoot with automotive type clearcoat but durability will not be optimum according to what I've read here on the forum. I really don't have a definitive answer for you. There are 5 links listed at the bottom of your page now, of others having similar issues. You can check those out and see what others have advised them. Good Luck to you!