Restoring metal flake paint

[vortec_cruiser]

I recently purchased a 1976 Eldocraft fiberglass bassboat. The topside is a metalflake finish that has lost its gelcoat. You can now feel the metal flakes, it's almost like sandpaper. What can I apply to this to refinish it?

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Are you sure it lost it's gelcoat? Sounds like it may have been made that way in an anti-slip effort.

Either way, if you like the paint job, and you do want it smoothed out, you can apply a clear gelcoat finish to it, and it should settle into a smooth finish if it is applied just thick enough. Might have to buff it though.

 

[vortec_cruiser]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

When I removed the hardware, I could see the original smooth finish.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

I could see the original smooth finish.

Ayuh,.........

The Odds are,...... You'll never get it to Match the original finish.....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

I know a few bass fisherman that have clear-coated over the old to add shine. You can not sand metal flake ....... or you could strip it off and choose another color either with or without the flake.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Vortec, You likely now realize that metalflake is a three part system, base color, aluminum flakes and clear coat. I do not think gelcoat is clear enought to replace the clearcoat. It will have a green tinge or worse. I think you will need a clearcoat paint, if you want to restore the finish. It alos may not be restorabel.

On my 70's speedboat, I removed the metalflake finish (big job) using wet sanding and paint remover. I had it sprayed white with a two part polyurethane marine paint. It gave it an updated look.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

You might want to try "Gel Gloss" fiberglas cleaner, & polish from home depot, Loews, or other hardware stores. It is reasonable, and usually brings back metalflake finishes. Myself I sometimes use this, and, or, vaseline on a hot day in the sun, for that wet look, it really penetrates, & brings out the depth of color like silicon spray on boots, it works good, but requires a few rub downs to remove the excess, till it settles in. For finishes in bad shape, it works the best for me, with the least amount of work,,, what have you got to lose?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Are you sure that the gel is gone and not just so damaged / rough on the surface that it feels like sandpaper? I thought a recent project was down to the flakes until I started working on it... and it turned out not to be.

A lot of metalflake boats have enough clear gelcoat that even if it looks and feels awful, you can wetsand the chalky oxidized clear off until you get down to solid clear. Clear gel is MUCH thicker than paint. As long as the oxidation isn't all the way down to the flakes, you might be able to restore the whole thing to where it looks like new.

I recently did an older boat based on a combination of ideas from here and other forums. The top side went from looking like grey chalk to shiny black and silver metalflake that sparkles in the sun.

wetsanded with 320 until the chalky outer mess was gone, then worked up to 1500 wet dry, buffed out with aquabuff 2000, and finished up with a combination of polishing compounds, machine glaze and filtz polish (was experimenting). Seems like the best results after sanding came from use the aquabuff (washes off and no waxes), and then finish up with either machine glaze or filtz. finally use meguires polish and wax (marine) or similar products for lasting shine / wet look. It can be a lot of work, but I was amazed at the results.

IF the oxidatation / damage is deep enough that you have to hit flakes, then you're left with the clearcoat option. I've recently seen a few boats done this way that turned out really nice as well and am thinking about buying another project this week that I would go this option on.

Hope this is helpful...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Follow wca directions and if it's savable that methods should work.
If it is down to the flake, then sometimes you can't do much to make it look good again, it can be clear coated, but may look uneven and blotchy.

 

[wire2]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Take a close look at the surface with a magnifying glass. Is it aluminum specks at the surface? If so, I'd clean it with thinners, get some clear 2 part epoxy resin, mix a bit and coat a small area 1/8" thick. That will cover the rough surface. If it works well, do the rest. I think it will.
Epoxy will run very smooth on its own, from a brush or roller.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

I've seen some older metalflake boats recently that have been cleared with great results. I thought my last project was not salvagable, biut it turned out great. I'm considertina another project now that is almost the same color scheme and colors (black with silver metal flake, etc..), but would need to be cleared over. What clears have people used with good reaults for these? anyone done roller and tip?

Have you got some pictures of the boat? Will be interested to see what you do with it and how it comes out...

Cheers!

ps. what a beautiful day on the river today!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Epoxy is not what you want to use, it weathers terribly.

 

[wire2]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Epoxy is not what you want to use, it weathers terribly.

Dang! It seemed like an ideal 1 layer solution.
I was under the impression that epoxy was used as the resin portion of carbon fibre parts, which are generally exposed to the elements.

Well, my next thought would be multiple layers of automotive clearcoat, with sanding between to build up enough thickness to level the metalflake particles. Then a final sand/polish.

 

[another fish tale]

Re: Restoring metal flake paint

Try Polyurthane That Is What I Am Going To Use On My 1977 Glastron Gt 150 Boat To Bring The Shine Back