Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

[82k5]

Hello, this is my first time posting but I have been searching and reading for a month or so. I have a 2000 Stratos Bass Boat where the previous owner painting lighting strikes over the gelcoat down the boat and then clear coated over it. What I have is the clear coat is peeling and looks bad. The gel coat is still shiny in most areas, some is dull though. I know this has been covered time and time again, but what would be the best way to make this boat look good again. I just repainted and redid the trailer, so now its time for the boat. Thanks

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

welcome to the forum.
i wish i could help you but i have the same problem with my stratos and theres got to be a better way than sanding it especially when using wet and dry you loose sight of the clearcoat unit it drys. mine was real bad so 50% can off with a high pressure washer the other 50% is a work in process

 

[82k5]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

well i am going to pressure wash the bost this week and try to get off as much clear coat as possible. i found some clear/base coat stripper by 3m at the auto store and tested it on a little area and it worked pretty good so gonna use that on whatever else i cant get off with the pressure washer. plan on re clearing the boat after as the gel coat is still good shiny.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

tell me how it goes with that stuff

 

[82k5]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

will do. will get to it this week sometime when work permits

 

[82k5]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

been awhile since i posted. finally finished removing all the clear coat off the boat. used th pressure washer and the clear coat stripper on the rest. wanting some opinions on what to do next. the gel coat is in good condition, but has scratches, nicks, and some gouges. im wanting to reclear coat the boat as i love the "wet look". what is the best method of going about getting the boat back to looking good. How do i prep the gel coat for the clear coat. From what ive read, need to wet sand with 400 grit, then wash with degreaser, what about the gouges, do I need to fill them or just clear over it.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

been awhile since i posted. finally finished removing all the clear coat off the boat. used th pressure washer and the clear coat stripper on the rest. wanting some opinions on what to do next. the gel coat is in good condition, but has scratches, nicks, and some gouges. im wanting to reclear coat the boat as i love the "wet look". what is the best method of going about getting the boat back to looking good. How do i prep the gel coat for the clear coat. From what ive read, need to wet sand with 400 grit, then wash with degreaser, what about the gouges, do I need to fill them or just clear over it.

If you really really want to clear coat the gel then you have to get a full blown respo setup.

Its not like paint .. it just goes everywhere and atomizes so fast..

As far as prep ..yea 400 grit will work just fine for a full prep profile..if your patching then finer grits are needed if you dont want to see that LINE.

You dont need the Degreaser as you are sanding into good non greased paint ( just dont tough it much with your hands after eating a chicken diner kinda thing ).

I would recommend that you fill and paint your gouges .. unless you dont care about them. The clear will not fill those imperfections like gel.

You have been away for a bit .. do you have any current pics you can share ..

YD.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

dont hold out mate.......how did the 3m work...what steps.....what kinda finnish did you get of the stripped parts...etc etc.

 

[82k5]

Re: Clear coat over gel coat peeling.

Yacht Dr. i will try to get some pictures tomorrow during the day. As far as the gouges and scratches im not to worried about them, but I will probably want to fill it since im at it. I mean its a fishing boat and not a show boat, as long as it looks decent im happy. doesnt have to be perfect. What did you mean by a full blown respo setup (respo???)? And as far as clearing over the gel, if I do not fill the gouges how bad do you think it would look just spraying the clear over it.

Glen, The 3, worked good on a look of the clear coat that didntcome off with the pressure washer. When i would spray it on , let it sit and it would start blistering the clear coat. Not all of it would come off by blistering. Whatever wouldnt I would let the 3m soak for a bit, then hit it with the pressure washer after and it would peel off. The gel coat is in good condition as far as no oxidation or bad fading, just as i said, scratches, nicks, and some gouges.

My plan is to clear the boat myself. I have a decent spray gun and 80 gallon compressor. I redid and painted my trailer last month and was super happy with the way it came out, so im not scared to shot the clear myself. Could someone tell me the best prep for the gel coat to shot the clear. What about filling the gouges if i decide to? Whats the best product to use? And last, whats the best clear to use?