Gelcoat? Now with pics

[texasvet54]

Here are the pics that I said that I would share last week when I asked how does one tell if there is gelcoat over fiberglass on my Three Buoy's houseboat.

If anyone can tell me whether there is a gelcoat on top of the fiberglass and how to go about repairing it, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,
TexasVet

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

In that first photo, it looks like there was at least one repair done in the past, and not very well. I'd suggest asking one of the Mods to move this thread to restoration. That's where you'll get the most guidance. Doesn't look bad. Shouldn't be very difficult to make the corrections.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

In the third photo, especially, looks like paint, not gel coat... Maybe marine paint, but just paint. The white also looks more like just paint than gel coat. Gel coat has a smooth glass-like finish, unless textured, such as on a swim platform.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

Without being there I am going to say paint on all. Common practice is to paint them here when gel goes south. However if that is off the boat in your avatar someone needs to be beat. They are sanded and sprayed here. It looks as if someone took the cheap way out.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the boat in my Avatar is the boat in question. The prior owner did tell me that he painted the boat. In fact, he gave me the old cans so that I would know what colors he used.

If he painted over the gel coat, if there is gel coat, where does that leave me?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

It leaves you with a big job! The paint has to come off regardless if it's over gelcoat or not. Unfortunately, that's going to be a job and a half. I'll let others comment on chemical versus abrasive stripping. Once off, you have choices of painting it again - but nothing is going to cover it properly in that cracked and peeling condition. Sorry for the bearer of bad news - but on the bright side, once done, that boat is goign to be beautiful.

 

[shrew]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

What kind of paint is it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

think of it like painting an old wood house--are you going to take it back to wood, or just scrape the loose stuff and paint? Might not be worth it to scrape down a whole house boat. I'd rather be riding on it than working on it. Or do like a house painter--put perfection is some areas that matter (like the front door) and let other areas be "good enough" (like eaves).

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

If he painted over the gel coat, if there is gel coat, where does that leave me?

Well that depends. What is it that you are wanting to do?? Restore to original condition? Refurbish what you have?

If you want to restore to the original gel coat finish then you pretty much have to do what DHJ said, give or take.

If you want to refurb the existing paint then you pretty much follow what HC said, give or take.

What are your desires?

 

[oops!]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

thats paint........the boat was never gellcoated. not from the factory any how.....

when a part is in a mold........the gellcoat the mold first.....then add the glass.......when the boat comes out of the mold.....it is smooth and shiney. looks like a million bux.
that boat is raw glass.....so they blew chopped over a shape.......rolled it ....then just painted it........

or.....the boat has been painted a ton of times....and nobody bothered to sand off the bad stuff.......just added another coat. either way....you have work to do.

what do you want to do.....make it all pretty and shiney?.......you have a ton of work to do.....you will need to sand it all as smooth as you can.....then fill it fair it ....and re paint.

if you just want to make it "ok"......sand and paint with a good marine paint

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

Wow, I'm really glad now that I have a covered slip. Thanks for all the replies.

As far as what I want to do, I want it like new. As far as what I'm willing to do, that depends. I live in Waco, Texas and I don't believe that there is anyone in this area that could sand it down to the fiberglass, repair any cracks or weak areas, and paint it. So, I guess it is up to me to make repairs. I'm going to be retiring in a few years, so this may be my retirement project.

My guess is that I'm going to talk to some of the locals and see what type of service is available in this area. Most of the boat looks pretty good since it has been under a covered slip for most of the 24 years of it's life.


Please post any other thoughts. I really appreciate them.

Thanks again,
TexasVet54

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

Wow, I'm really glad now that I have a covered slip. Thanks for all the replies.

As far as what I want to do, I want it like new. As far as what I'm willing to do, that depends. I live in Waco, Texas and I don't believe that there is anyone in this area that could sand it down to the fiberglass, repair any cracks or weak areas, and paint it. So, I guess it is up to me to make repairs. I'm going to be retiring in a few years, so this may be my retirement project.

My guess is that I'm going to talk to some of the locals and see what type of service is available in this area. Most of the boat looks pretty good since it has been under a covered slip for most of the 24 years of it's life.


Please post any other thoughts. I really appreciate them.

Thanks again,
TexasVet54

Looks like you've got a terriffic retirement ahead of you... Congratulations!!! You're in a great position. If that's the only repairs necessarry, you're golden. I don't know how "handy" you are, or where your skills and knowledge lie; but with the guidance you'll get here, you're looking at a lot of casual, leisurely work which may be done at your own pace, because nothing looks critical (at least not in the pictures).
Don't get me wrong... I'm not telling you that this is going to be easy, not by any means. It can, however, be done without pushing yourself to the limits of your strength. If you want to pay someone to do the work, finding someone won't be the hard part. Finding someone good who won't take advantage of you is the key. Check references, and look at work that the person/people have done. Best of luck, and please keep us posted.

 

[shrew]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

thats paint........the boat was never gellcoated. not from the factory any how.....

They do make 2 part products like vinylester that can be rolled and tipped. I don't think there's quite enough info to simply state "That is paint". This is why I had asked TexasVet what they painted it with. He indicated they had given him a few cans of the stuff. I'm curious what they are cans of. TexasVet has yet to provide that information.

 

[oops!]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

its not gellcoat....so....its paint.......as far as a ve resin........why would any one go the cost of a ve resin over paint?......the ve just does not apply in this application

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Gelcoat? Now with pics

The paint is Glidden Porch and Floor Polyurethane Oil Gloss.

That sounds better than regular old latex. If there is something better, please let me know.

TexasVet