topside paint question

[JesseBannor]

I was just given an 18' Sea Ray 1980ish. The interior needs a lot of love, but the outside is in great shape with one exception. I've never painted a boat before so forgive my ignorance. There is a "clear coat" type of covering that is peeling off on the top side only. It is flaking off, and is hard, not flimsy. I assume it is some kinf of clear, protective coating? Anyway, i am going to finish peeling it all the way off and I thought I should re-apply new if it was a protective coating. Can someone tell me what this clear coating might be, and how expensive is it? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[JesseBannor]

Re: topside paint question

Also, incase this is important info: it is only flaking from the blue painted surfaces, not the cream color parts like the underside and such. I'm sorry for my lack of proper terminology.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: topside paint question

It sounds like this boat has been painted before and this is the clear coat flaking off. It may have been painted at the factory, or later by the owner. Gel coat does not normally flake off in the way you discribed and they would not normally apply a clear over solid colors, only over metal flake. <br />Post some pics if you can.

 

[Chesapeake Dan]

Re: topside paint question

I am willing to bet that it is a product called " New Glass " http://www.newglass2.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi <br /><br />Looks good for a couple of years, and then starts yellowing, and flaking off, and the only way to take it off is with heavy duty 3M rubbing compound.<br /><br />Just a guess.