1979 Ebbtide DynaTrak 166 S/S clean up and restore!

[Tonic79]

Hey everyone, a few months ago I bought my first bass boat. After getting used to it I am wanting to replace the carpet and make a few changes while bringing some shine back to it. It seems impossible to find an original picture of this particular boat to see what color carpet was in it? I am open to any suggestions but was thinking a tan or black... however the black may take it way to far into halloween mode year round than I may like lol.

The top of the boat seems to have a white haze probably from just sitting out in the sun on it... when its wet it looks normal, but soon as it dries it comes back. I have only tried simply washing it so far?

The deck lids seem to be made out of fiberglass and seem weak when walking on them... like creaking / flexing a little. With the design of them the center part is down a little from the outer edges, so the carpet sits in. I was thinking of replacing all the deck lids with marine plywood and wrapping the carpet all around them ala a newer bass boat? Would there be any issue with doing that or should I just keep whats on there and cut a piece of carpet like it was originally?

If anyone has any information what so ever about this boat I would love to hear it!

 

[Tonic79]

Re: 1979 Ebbtide DynaTrak 166 S/S clean up and restore!

Getting things together to work on this oxidation I have. It is pretty heavy but only on the top portions of the boat. I am thinking of wet sanding and was wondering what grit to start and work from?? Also I picked up a 10" Orbital buffer to help however I can't find many options for a cutting bonnet anywhere? Anyone able to point me in the right direction? Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1979 Ebbtide DynaTrak 166 S/S clean up and restore!

I'd bet it probably had a brown w/ some orange carpet in it originally.

Can you feel the metal flake thru the clear gelcoat on any of the up surfaces when you run your hand across them? If not, you might be able to lightly sand & buff to bring back the shine. Go too aggressive w/ the wet sanding and you run the risk of sanding thru the clear gelcoat and exposing the metal flake.

It is a much tougher resto once the flakes are exposed.

Use the advanced search function from the resto forum homepage, quite a few restore metal flake threads. Many choose to go a different route if the flake is exposed or the clear has started to peel.

 

[Tonic79]

Re: 1979 Ebbtide DynaTrak 166 S/S clean up and restore!

I'd bet it probably had a brown w/ some orange carpet in it originally.

Can you feel the metal flake thru the clear gelcoat on any of the up surfaces when you run your hand across them? If not, you might be able to lightly sand & buff to bring back the shine. Go too aggressive w/ the wet sanding and you run the risk of sanding thru the clear gelcoat and exposing the metal flake.

It is a much tougher resto once the flakes are exposed.

Use the advanced search function from the resto forum homepage, quite a few restore metal flake threads. Many choose to go a different route if the flake is exposed or the clear has started to peel.

The coat still feels smooth, just really heavy oxidation... I don't feel any metal flake exposed? If going the westsanding route what grit should I start with and work up to? I don't have access to a rotary (kinda scared of them anyways) but even if I wanted to try my orbital, which bonnet and where would I be able to purchase it? I have already bought the Meguires Restoration kit that has compound/polish/wax.