Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

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pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
I bought an 88 Bayliner super cheap.So far I've fixed the engine problems,put in new floors,new seats and new carpet.I have ended up spending alot more money on the the boat than first planned.The person I purchased the boat from had sanded the boat with the entension of refinishing it.Now everything looks perfect except for the sanded part.The part of the boat he sanded is the strip of gel coat from the rubber boat bumber, up to the the top of the side.It's only about 1 foot wide all the way around the boat. I'm about out of money, but I wish that strip looked as good as the rest of the boat.Does anyone know how I can cheaply refinish that small strip of gel coat? It dosen't have to be perfect just better.
 
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Michael Clayton

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2003
Messages
10
Re: Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

The best and cheapest way is to buy a pint of the matching gel coat and the catalyst. Mix them according to the directions and spray the area with an inexpensive hobby air gun. Wet sand the area with 400 grit wet/dry sand paper, then again with 800 grit. Then use a buffing wheel with microfinishing compound, clean and wax. But be careful, if you do too good of a job, you'll have to do the rest of the boat if your factory gel coat is at all sun faded! Good Luck!<br />Mike.
 
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cinder1995

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 8, 2003
Messages
89
Re: Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

A cheaper solution is vertglass. It's only about $60. And it does an excellent job.
 
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beckerdg

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
147
Re: Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

If the original sanding was not all the way through the gelcoat you might be able to bring it back by progressively sanding it with finer paper like was described if you put new gelcoat on it. Another way is you could apply something like Interlux Brightside paint. Makes a nice shiney coating with the roll and tip method. A quart is less than $30 and would probably cover the area you describe.
 
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pwilson

Seaman
Joined
Apr 16, 2003
Messages
71
Re: Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

Thanks for the help guy's can you tell me more about Vertglass and Interlux. Where can I find these products? :p
 
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crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,505
Re: Need a cheap way to refinish gel coat?

Both are available at West Marine or just about any other marine supply store.Vertiglass is a gelcoat restoration system.It works great,hopefully the sanding was not too severe.If it was lightly sanded you can use a clear coat paint.This is usually the fastest and cheapest way to do it.Or you can use an interlux paint.I believe interlux makes the clearcoat too.The vertiglass is temporary,a year or two at best.Since the hard part is done already(sanding) I would coat with paint.You can get away with 25-35 bucks.Thats pretty cheap and it is permanent.Gssd Luck...Charlie
 
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