Yet ANOTHER? 14' Gamefisher fiberglass restore

[Tate700]

Howdy All, first time poster here. I have read as many posts as I can handle viewing from my phone and cant seem to get a concrete answer to my question. Before I get drilled for asking the same question that so many others have previously asked let me say this. Im a broke 'A' 25 year old with no internet. The only way I can search the forums is on my company Blackberry. I cant explain how crappy surfing the net is on these things. Headaches are nearly immediate. Reading through these forums is something i do on a daily basis as I am ADDICTED to project boats, just finished a 14' Alumicraft, now on to the Gfisha.

Anywho, I have a 1980's 14' Sears Gamefisher Fiberglass tri-hull in amazing structural shape, but the dang thing is un-fishable unless you are in a set of coveralls. The fibers have just started poking out and its drives you insane with the fiberglass itchy rash.

Now, I am in the process of sanding her down. I dont wanna over do it, I just wanna stop itching. Can I find some gel coat (i guess that is what i need instead of paint) that I can roll on?? I wanna do this as simple as possible. I would love to find some white or light grey and just roll it over the interior and benches and be done......is this achievable?? If you have done this please let me know how it came out and give me a name of gel coat so i can go get some and start catching these monster catfish. Thanks for any help, Great site by the way!

 

[SURFINGJERSEY]

Re: Yet ANOTHER? 14' Gamefisher fiberglass restore

I have the same problem with a 14 ft gamefisher. My buddy told me to wet sand it with 300-600 course paper. then put a wax on it. he said if it doesnt work then i should paint it. I am asking the same question on another thread. If you find something that works let me know and i'll do the same.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Yet ANOTHER? 14' Gamefisher fiberglass restore

Welcome to iboats!

You can coat it with a good layer of paint. If you want to go "cheap" just give it two coats of rustoleum and you will be fishing again.

Rustoluem holds up great but it does take a week or so to fully cure

Gel coat would be allot more money and yes it can be rolled on.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Yet ANOTHER? 14' Gamefisher fiberglass restore

I have the same problem with a 14 ft gamefisher. My buddy told me to wet sand it with 300-600 course paper. then put a wax on it. he said if it doesnt work then i should paint it. I am asking the same question on another thread. If you find something that works let me know and i'll do the same.

That's probably not the best method- the wax will get into the pores of the boat where the fibers come to the surface. Then, if it doesn't work (and it probably won't) the wax will play havoc with your painting.

Rustoleum as Bob said will work. A better and yet still inexpensive alternative is ACE hardware oil-based polyurethane floor and deck paint. That is a pretty good cheap alternative to marine paint. I wouldn't recommend it for use on a six-figure yacht, but YOU will love the results. You will need to thin it a little to get it look nearly sprayed-on quality, about 10% thinner. For a little more money, you can use a product called Penetrol plus a little thinner. Longer dry time but it will lay down really nice.

Two coats carefully applied will look good and get rid of your fibers. Don't apply it heavy as it will probably run, take too long to dry properly, and thick coats of paint are more likely to chip off. Sand lightly (120 grit will be fine to just scuff off dirt and fibres) and apply a coat- let it dry, scuff it with 320 to remove any "nibs" and apply another coat. Done. Won't be a yacht finish but will cure your_ahem_itch

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Yet ANOTHER? 14' Gamefisher fiberglass restore

That's probably not the best method- the wax will get into the pores of the boat where the fibers come to the surface. Then, if it doesn't work (and it probably won't) the wax will play havoc with your painting.

Rustoleum as Bob said will work. A better and yet still inexpensive alternative is ACE hardware oil-based polyurethane floor and deck paint. That is a pretty good cheap alternative to marine paint. I wouldn't recommend it for use on a six-figure yacht, but YOU will love the results. You will need to thin it a little to get it look nearly sprayed-on quality, about 10% thinner. For a little more money, you can use a product called Penetrol plus a little thinner. Longer dry time but it will lay down really nice.

Two coats carefully applied will look good and get rid of your fibers. Don't apply it heavy as it will probably run, take too long to dry properly, and thick coats of paint are more likely to chip off. Sand lightly (120 grit will be fine to just scuff off dirt and fibres) and apply a coat- let it dry, scuff it with 320 to remove any "nibs" and apply another coat. Done. Won't be a yacht finish but will cure your_ahem_itch

I just finished painting my boat with the rustoleum professional series oil based paint. I thinned it with the penetrol and some thinner. Sprayed it on, and the paint looks GREAT! I really like how the rustoleum came out.