Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

[mikeneal]

I removed the glued in carpet that lined my ski locker. I dunno why they ever put carpet in a boat, especially in a place with poor ventilation. Anyhow, I bought a can of gel coat and was going to gel-coat the area, but to my surprise when i ripped the carpet up it is gel-coated, not a beautiful finish, but gel coat never the less. I have 3M adhesive (yellow snooty stuff) remaining over some of it. I used acetone and scrapper and got some of it but the process is slow and painful. Any ideas types for removing the rest of the adhesive? After a couple hours and lots of acetone fumes I am about ready to say "good enough for a ski locker". At this point I think if I painted over it with new Gel-coat it would magnify the surface imperfections and look worst.

Next question, I also want to add some type of rubber pad/liner to protect things when they bang around in there. I see West Marine sells Dri Dek, but it is ~7/sq ft there and I need quite a bit. I can buy it direct for ~4.50/sq ft. and I might go with that. Before I buy it, does anyone have any other options I should consider.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

That was the purpose of the carpet! To keep things from banging around and from getting scratched. You probably should have left the carpet in there. BUT they do make rubber mats to fill the bottom. Try West Marine, Defender or Walmart's and cut your own to fit.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

cut up a door mat and put in there.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

Any ideas types for removing the rest of the adhesive?

Ayuh,...... A 4" Grinder, with a Cupbrush is what the Pro's use......

Whatever you do,.... I Wouldn't be using Gelcoat......

 

[salty87]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

sorta like td's...but cut up a cheapo floor mat for a car. they sell the extra long piece that would go across the entire rear floor for something like an old oldsmobile or something.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

Whatever you do,.... I Wouldn't be using Gelcoat......

I am faced with the same thing. What is the reason not to Gelcoat?​

 

[Coors]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

Cheaper to just throw some epoxy with light cloth on it and paint.
then glue on any bath mat from walmart, etc. that you can find.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

Lowes and Home Depot also have the big 3 or 4 foot rolls of various vinyl backed carpets and bare rubber and vinyl.
Like a store might use down a hall way.
Sold by the foot or yard.
Stiff enough you might get away with just laying in the well and going up the sides a ways without any new glue.
That way you can yank'em out to powerwash or spray off once in awhile.

 

[Domb1972]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

My wife and I have recarpeted quite a few bass boats over the years and we have found that "OOPS" sold at your local wal-mart Works wounders on that old glued rubber backing carpet just put it on an area and wait a few seconds then just take a plastic craper and it comes off like butter! No lie, I dont know whats in the can but it is a true merical worker.

And if you ever carpet a boat and need glue "DAP" in the red can works great

Tight Lines Dom

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Removed carpet from ski locker.....advice on surface finish

Hehee... extending boat hulls and removing carpet adhesive too... is there anything "oops" can't do?