Leaning Post Refinishing

[100333624]

Hey all,

I picked up this leaning post, came off a 21' Boston Whaler. Its built with marine ply and has what I believe to be a very thin layer of gel coat on top? Its a bit old but the wood is in great condition, no mold or rot or weak spots, very hard and solid to the touch and dry. The coating is in terrible shape especially on the back side and close to the edges. I spoke to a few people about getting it refinished, possibly glassed and re-gel coated but I don't want to go that route as its very expensive and I might as well just buy a new fiberglass molded one instead for the prices I'm being quoted.

So I came here to ask for your opinions!

Whats the best way of refinishing this thing without breaking the bank? Looking to spend in the ball park of around $200-$300. I just want it to look new and be able to handle the elements. My boat is always stored inside, but I like to take the hose to it since its a wash down hull (center console).

What type of coating can be applied that will last a few years without cracking and chipping?

Epoxy?? Bondo?? lol..

I would appreciate some good feedback!

 

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[100333624]

bump.... anyone??

 

[jbcurt00]

There's not much to go on in the only 2 pix that are showing up for the rest of us. you may have the pix showing in every post you've made but for the rest of us, there's only 2 pix, in post #3

Open a photobucket acct. use the IMG code for each pix you want to post. It seems to be working when pix are posted this way. The forum uploader is working sometimes, other times its not

 

[100333624]

Hi jbcurt00 thanks for the reply, your right! I was fighting all night trying to get pictures up and it wouldn't work. I made a photobucket account and posted the pictures there, here is the link:

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/Nickolade/library/Lean Post

Let me know if you can see the pictures or not.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[jbcurt00]

For each pix in your PB acct, there is an IMG code. It looks like this:
IMG]http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/ge/Lean%20Post/2_zps444f1961.jpg[/IMG

and the pix show up IN your post rather then as attachments:


AND more importantly the pix show up.

I don't use it, but I hear rumor that if you click the camera icon in the top left corner of a reply window, you might have better luck getting pix to post. But again it'll be as an attachment that must be opened. I prefer (and recommend) posting the IMG code instead.

BTW: Your PB acct is currently setup for pix to link back. That means if someone clicks on the pix you posted, a new window/tab opens showing the pix from your PB acct. So anyone who chooses to can surf thru your entire public photo albums. I don't have anything posted in my PB acct that isn't public viewing & family safe, but I still restrict access by not using the link back feature. I doubt I'd be an interesting target to be hacked, but I'd rather not have someone poking around either. So in the IMG code example I posted above, I redacted the link back feature (it's a couple of s at the beginning & end of the IMG...the code so it won't be cut & paste copyable.

 

[Woodonglass]

Based on the pics, I'd recommend using 60 grit and a R/O sander and working her down to remove all the cracks and crevices. Wash her all down with acetone, and then paint her with Tractor Paint and Hardener. It will yield a good, durable, long lasting finish that's easy to maintain and touch up in the event you have future damage. The How To is in the last link in my signature line below. Are the sides Padded with vinyl? If so, will you be Keeping that feature?

 

[100333624]

Jbcurt00: Thanks I fixed it! Here are the pix below!

Woodonglass: I never heard about painting with tractor paint, will check out our link and look into it. There is NO vinyl or padding anywhere other than the seat cushion itself. What should I use to fill in any cracks and holes etc after I've sanded it down? And does the acetone need to be mixed with water or just pure acetone? Where do I buy just pure acetone? Thanks! Nick

 

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[Woodonglass]

Now that I see the pics and the extent of the cracking etc... I think I'd try to pic and chip away all the loose gelcoat that I could and then mix up some Poly resin filler (Poly Resin thickened with Glass bubbles) to smooth and fair all the damaged areas out. This will give you a Nice Smooth surface to either gelcoat or paint.

 

[100333624]

I had a change of heart last night: I think it better to just cut off about half of the unit keepin only the part where the seat is (cushions) and keepin it at about 10 or 12 inches tall and closing it all around and put 2 seat posts on it. I will also make an access door into back for storage of small things.. I think this will be much better since I won't have to work so much for sanding and painting or whatever I'm gonna put on it. Will sand it down and box it up and get back here with pictures. Any ideas before I do anything?? Gonna try and do it for this weekend, any and all recommendations are welcome!! Nick