Gel coat removal or not.

[FLATHEAD]

Not particularly a boat but gel coat is gel coat. I have a sidecar that has faded terribly much neglect on previous owner. I want to redo the finish with just regular automotive paints. Do I need to strip the gel coat or is sanding good enough. If gel coat removal is the way to go what’s the best way. Sand, chemical, etc. thanks in advanced

 

[zool]

Not particularly a boat but gel coat is gel coat. I have a sidecar that has faded terribly much neglect on previous owner. I want to redo the finish with just regular automotive paints. Do I need to strip the gel coat or is sanding good enough. If gel coat removal is the way to go what’s the best way. Sand, chemical, etc. thanks in advanced

Paint over sanded gel is fine, just use a wax/degreaser before and after sanding to remove any mold release or previous contaminates...

 

[Scott Danforth]

as long as the gel is not scratched or cracked a good sanding with 320 grit will be enough

if scratched, fill the scratches

if cracked, you may have some fiberglass work first.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Thanks! Good to know. It does have some spider web cracks on the back top. Going to pull the tub off the frame and remove all hardware. The black panels are just spray can paint over gelcoat. It had silver panels but they were so stained with bird crap I sanded and covered it with black when I got it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You will need to address the spider cracks. There are repairs for cracks in the sticky

 

[FLATHEAD]

You will need to address the spider cracks. There are repairs for cracks in the sticky

Thanks Scott, will look there

 

[flashback]

Hey that's a nice looking sidecar! Have fun they certainly have a learning curve so be careful.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Hey that's a nice looking sidecar! Have fun they certainly have a learning curve so be careful.

Thanks, surely is a learning curve. I been riding that rig for over a year now. Have had the bike for 20 years. Two coast to coast runs under its belt. Had a hack on a 37 ULH for a while but that was steel. Harley Davidson sidecars are hard to find, no longer manufactured. This sidecar I found for sale in Southwest North Carolina just above Georgia border. I drove nonstop from Pa. to get it and when I got there it was still attached to a beat to heck greasy old FLH. Agrghh!! spent hours getting it and the mounts off. Black grease up to my elbows. But alas I got it here. Hooked it up and ran it enough to know what it needs, now time to make it look pretty. Appreciate the help here to get it there.

Sorry for the long winded bike post on a boat sight.