Protecting old gelcoat ???

[metriccrescentwrench]

I'm restoring a '79 Checkmate. The gelcoat in general is amazingly good for a 30 year old boat (except that the previous owner buffed it and never bothered to follow up with any kind of wax - but that's easy enough to take care of).

However, there's one area (about 3" x 20") where I can feel roughness in the gelcoat - I'm pretty sure that the clear is nearly gone in that area and it's getting very close to the metalflake. Cosmetically it's still fine, can hardly see any difference between that area and elswhere where the clear gel is intact. I just don't want to let it get any worse than it is right now, what's my best long term answer to protecting this area? Leave it alone and just keep it waxed? Put some clear gelcoat on just that area?

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Protecting old gelcoat ???

I have a Checkmate also and have gelcoat issues (as in no clear) with faded metal flake. Here is a link to a thread I started a while ago
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=324852

Hope that helps.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Protecting old gelcoat ???

I've looked at your thread, here as well as at checkmate-boats.com (mine is the " '79 Eluder with water poisoning" - I have a different username there). My gelcoat is nowhere near as bad as yours, if I can keep it from getting any worse I'll be a happy camper. I just don't know if wax alone will preserve it with the clear nearly gone.

By the way, I noticed that you cut out some fiberglass above the transom to get the cap off. I'm trying to avoid that but may throw in the towel and start cutting if I can't get the splashwell separated from below. Just curious, what's your plans for finishing that area when you're done (paint, gelcoat, other)?