1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

Hi All,
Im starting this thread just to give you all a bit of what worked and what didnt for my hull restoration project.

Situation: Faded marroon flake, turned silver. Most topside clear gel has actually faded/disintergrated away.

Assesment: Either Paint, or new gelcoat.

Decision: best to gel coat....from most i have spoken with. I will also re-flake with red.

Steps (This part is a "Best Of" all the advice I have gotten.)

1. Fill, fix, and sand all areas with 80 grit that will recive new gel.
2. Clean with soap and water.
3. Wipe down entire are with acetone prior to first coat.
4. Tape and mask.

5. Apply first coat - Red base gel coat.
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Thin 5% with Duratec Thinner 39LAC
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 5mil
- No Surfacing Agent i.e. wax
- Let dry 2 hours

6. Apply second coat - Clear gel w/ Red .015 hex flake mixed in.
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Thin 5% with Duratec Thinner 39LAC
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 5mil
- No Surfacing Agent i.e. wax
- Mix in tested amount of flake ... guessing 10g per ounce of gel.... still need to test spray when materials arrive.
- Let dry 2 hours


7. Apply Third coat - Clear gel w/ Red .015 hex flake mixed in. ** possible second coat of flake clear if coverage is light **
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Thin 5% with Duratec Thinner 39LAC
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 5mil
- No Surfacing Agent i.e. wax
** Mix in tested amount of flake ... guessing 10g per ounce of gel.... still need to test spray when materials arrive.
- Let dry 2 hours


8. Apply Third / fourth coat - Clear Gel
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Thin 5% with Duratec Thinner 39LAC
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 10mil
- No Surfacing Agent i.e. wax
- Let dry 2 hours

9. Apply Fourth / fifth coat - Clear Gel
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Thin 5% with Duratec Thinner 39LAC
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 10mil
- Surfacing wax added

10. Pull Tape and paper.

11. Let harden atleast 24 hours

12. Sand area with 180 / 220 depending on situation ( try to smooth out any orange peel on visible areas and put a tooth in all others.)

13. Clean with soap and water.

14. wipe with acetone.

15. Re-Tape and Mask

16. Apply Final coat - Clear Gel
- Gun 2.4mm tip HVLP
- Mix 50/50 with Duratec clear gloss additive
- Catalize with 2% MEKP-MCP (slower cat than MEKP-9, 2x pot life)
- Apply around 10mil
- NO Surfacing wax added

17. Let Harden for extended period..... 2-3 days?

18. Polish with Porter cable 7424XP Orbital Polisher/Buffer.
- use swirl remover
- glazing compund
- No wax?? I heard that wax actually promotes the hazing boats get over time if not removed and redone frequently.
- Add some kind of sealant, have not researched this yet.

19. Hope Im done...buy a nice boat cover!!!!!


I will add pictures from this point on so you guys get some sense of what a new boat owner/DIYer does to destroy his boat!

If anyone has advice please pass on, I need it!

I will also update you as progress happens. I plan on starting the Gel on Oct 15th, 2011...weather permitting.

Thanks!!!

Re: 1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

I also get a lot of opinions on thinning. with styrene or patch booster. Some say Acetone or virgin Laqour Thinner. I decided to use Duratec Thinner, a high quality thinner used in Duratec gel coats and additives...which are recomended with regular gel coats. Also many say keep below 7% in any case with thinnner.

Any Thoughts?

Re: 1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

Also,
Anyone spray metalflake before? if so how much did you mix in?

Re: 1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

Beuller

Re: 1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

Ok So I will Post Pics ASAP...promise.

Also, I most likely will remove the thinner from the gel coat, with the exception of the duratec additive on the final coats.

Re: 1987 Ranger Bass Boat Restoration

Pics are here!!!

Backstory, bought the boat from craigslist, posted at 1700, motor doesnt run scored piston. Got there seen the pros and cons, offered 1000, he took it. Rebuilt the motor for 700, runs great. Now need to finish the rest....which is everything! I will also post my current progress since inception, March 2011.

Thanks!