metal flake gel coat re-shine help

[thehud]

So new to the forums and to boat restoration. Couple weeks ago bought my self a project ,81 ranger 350v. No motor pretty much just the boat its self. But anyway to the real question, I also no nothing when it comes to paint and body work. the top layer of the boat used to be a metal flake burnt orange. It is now a redish and some of the flakes have faded to silver, but it doesn't look bad when its wet. The guy I bought it from said to wet sand with a 220 then spray 3 coats of clear. Well I've been sanding with the 220 and using 3m compound and when it dryes there's still a grey film that drys over. Also I'm fairly sure there is a little gel coat still on top.

 

[Watermann]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

Sounds like a real nice project boat for sure.

Since your asking for help, I will start by saying that your new old boat is over 30 now and you should really begin by looking into the condition of the wood structure like the transom and stringers below deck. One of the rules to live by in older boats is that if the outside looks like crap then the boat wasn't cared for properly and most likely the rest of it is crap too. I would hate to see you spend countless hours polishing and buffing to find out the guts are rotten to the core. If you have it in you to tear her all down and build it back then all your effort in polishing the outside would be one of the finishing touches.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

You will probably need to post some pix to show the condition of the boat's metal flake gelcoat

Unfortunately, the seller may have been more then a little misleading about what it'll take to make your boat's metal flake look better.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

Maybe hit it with a buffer and some compound?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

Hi and welcome to the Iboats Dry Dock...
Yeah, a 32 yr. old boat with faded flake finish...and no motor...did you get a trailer with this project?
I hate to agree with what's been said, but you really need to focus on the actual structure of the boat before you worry about the cosmetics...
From the sound of its condition, you should honestly prepare yourself for a very serious decision...
Whether or not this is the boat of your dreams and are you ready, willing and able to completely gut it and restore it...
Please, don't take this the wrong way, but the odds of you having bought a boat this old, with a faded finish and no motor, being in perfect structural condition are about as good as the odds of beating the house in Las Vegas into submission...
Hey, I might be wrong about the condition of your boat, so prove me wrong and post up some pics of your new project.
We'll be here to guide you along, whatever you decide...
Best of luck,
GT1M

 

[thehud]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

Ill get some pictures in a couple days. As for the wood I've been dreading to cut the floor up but with its age don't think it would hurt to cut a little chunk out, and check it out,the floor seems pretty sturdy though just a tiny pit water logged by the back floor vent. The transom seems to be solid. The reason he said he was selling it was becuase guy just had a heart attack and didn't have time for it and the motor blew on it so he just used it for parts. It also came with a tailer and got it for a steal all for 150. But ill get some pictures up here soon.

 

[Watermann]

Re: metal flake gel coat re-shine help

Rather than cutting you can always drill core samples and recover the shavings to examine.