Question about restoring an old fiberglass boat

[Givey1982]

I am considering buying an older fiberglass boat to restore. My main concern is in an area I have no experience with. These older boats have what appears to be a clear coat flaking/wearing off. How do you refinish the actual surface of the boat and how do you know when the surface is too far gone to refinish?

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

These older boats have what appears to be a clear coat flaking/wearing off. How do you refinish the actual surface of the boat and how do you know when the surface is too far gone to refinish?

Ayuh,...... No problem,..... Fix the bad spots, sand it smooth, 'n paint it with urethane paint,.....

 

[tpenfield]

You can paint or spray gelcoat . . . Some of the metal flake boats had a clear coat to enhance the shine, I believe.

You also may want to consider the structure of the boat, as to needing restoration before you make it shiny.

 

[gm280]

Fiberglass boats are built in molds. And the very first thing they spray into any mold, after the release agent of course, is the clear coat. Then the flake and colors added next. So if you have clear peeling off, you are probably already into the color and flakes. If sanding doesn't smooth out that surface without sanding into the color and flakes, it is never going to look like it did initially. But you have to make that decision. JMHO