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- Oct 25, 2011
- Messages
- 25,248
Re: Help restoring badly oxidized bass boat flake finish.
The link you posted: Pictures of How to Restore Like New Color & Shine to Faded Fiberglass Gelcoat
Has good info if their product works as well for the DIY restos most of us are working on, but the problem is you're looking to get similar results from a metal flake that was applied IN clear gelcoat, not solid color gelcoat like all their pix:
BEFORE
AFTER
As has been mentioned, if you can FEEL the metal flakes, they are sticking UP OUT of the gelcoat they were originally IN.
Getting familiar w/ terms & products used on boats will help greatly. I suspect that you 'hear' or read clear coat & think paint. Unfortunately, boats aren't typically painted w/ clear coat. When they get painted, they are usually painted w/ a color. If for some reason a painted boat 'needs' to have a coat of clear laid over the paint, it's usually referred to as clear coat. Many clear coats are an automotive clear coat. And although it's designed to be exposed to the elements, you don't usually leave your car IN the water for possibly long periods of time.
Boat metal flake isn't remotely similar to automotive metal flake, and is usually a MUCH larger flake then is typically found on autos/trucks & etc.
Gelcoat is sprayable but it is not paint, and it's remotely not paint-like.
If Bond-O appeared abrupt, I doubt it was to be combative.
IMHO: As a moderator of this forum, he can be an invaluable resource on any resto~project. Having him hang around your boathouse while you work on your boat and be available to lend advice, is a good thing.
Yacht Dr is also a great resource to have checking in & offering his assistance on your project, esp w/ gelcoat questions
The link you posted: Pictures of How to Restore Like New Color & Shine to Faded Fiberglass Gelcoat
Has good info if their product works as well for the DIY restos most of us are working on, but the problem is you're looking to get similar results from a metal flake that was applied IN clear gelcoat, not solid color gelcoat like all their pix:
As has been mentioned, if you can FEEL the metal flakes, they are sticking UP OUT of the gelcoat they were originally IN.
Getting familiar w/ terms & products used on boats will help greatly. I suspect that you 'hear' or read clear coat & think paint. Unfortunately, boats aren't typically painted w/ clear coat. When they get painted, they are usually painted w/ a color. If for some reason a painted boat 'needs' to have a coat of clear laid over the paint, it's usually referred to as clear coat. Many clear coats are an automotive clear coat. And although it's designed to be exposed to the elements, you don't usually leave your car IN the water for possibly long periods of time.
Boat metal flake isn't remotely similar to automotive metal flake, and is usually a MUCH larger flake then is typically found on autos/trucks & etc.
Gelcoat is sprayable but it is not paint, and it's remotely not paint-like.
If Bond-O appeared abrupt, I doubt it was to be combative.
IMHO: As a moderator of this forum, he can be an invaluable resource on any resto~project. Having him hang around your boathouse while you work on your boat and be available to lend advice, is a good thing.
Yacht Dr is also a great resource to have checking in & offering his assistance on your project, esp w/ gelcoat questions