Finish for 94' pulse - Black

[Mich Pulse]

If anyone has suggestions on what I should do I would greatly appreciate it. Problem is the deck of my mate is faded from previous owner not covering it etc. Talked to friends and wants to paint it with augrip, and shoot it with a clear. Says this will last longer than I will have the boat? Problem is how could I keep the graphics on the top? Tape them off? Or shoot the top all black. Also I have tiny water blisters, on the transom of the boat. Should I worry about that this year? If so, what is my best method to remedy this situation? Thank you for any comments.

[Mich Pulse]

If anyone has suggestions on what I should do I would greatly appreciate it. Problem is the deck of my mate is faded from previous owner not covering it etc. Talked to friends and wants to paint it with augrip, and shoot it with a clear. Says this will last longer than I will have the boat? Problem is how could I keep the graphics on the top? Tape them off? Or shoot the top all black. Also I have tiny water blisters, on the transom of the boat. Should I worry about that this year? If so, what is my best method to remedy this situation? Thank you for any comments.

[Chris]

MP,

Usually the remedy goes something like this....

First try wet sanding to try to clear it up and bring back the color.

If that fails....

Then wet sanding a little deeper and shoot clear over if necessary.

I would avoid paint if possible....but that's just me. I find it's never as durable as the original gel coat.

I'm not too sure where you're located, but Mate do gel restoration work as well. You could always take the boat to the factory and have them fix it up, you'll come away with a brand new looking boat.

If you're too far away, a local competent fibreglass guy can probably do the same. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

The tiny blisters, sound like Osmatic Blisters. They could be mostly a cosmetic issue and in more serious cases they can indicate water getting into the fibreglass itself. Normally boats left in the water for long periods seems to suffer from blisters.

My boat was left in the water a lot before I bought it, and I have some on mine.

[85Predictor]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/85mate/wetsand3.jpg

This is what I ended up with after a whole weekend of wet-sanding(running hose not a bucket); polishing compound then Race Glaze and or wax. As I remember I used either 1500 or 2000 grit. Not sure if mine was as bad as yours but I was able to get most of the "milkiness" out. Same issue: Previous owner did not own a cover.
Good Luck!

[Mich Pulse]

Thanks! I'll take photos during my refinish process which may be sooner that later.....with not much snowmobiling happening. I tried the wet sand, didn't get the results I was hoping for.

[Brian]

Mich Pulse keep trying to wet sand the boat, there is no boat as bad as my buddies, and this was not even a checkmate(not even close).We sanded just like 85predictor did, with a running hose, we did this for almost a month, and sprayed two coats of clear when we were done, the boat came back better than new. It takes ALOT of elbow grease, and most of all time.But it will come back. Good luck!

Brian

[Mark]

As long as you still have flake, then you still have clear gelcoat. The key is to get thru the oxidized layer. The best product I have found (and I've tried everything) is Aqua-buff. You can buy it online. It is what they use to prep fiberglass molds. You start with Aqua-buff 1000 which is quite agressive and follow with Aqua-Buff 2000. You mist with water and buff at 2500 rpm or more. It does not work if you buff slower, trust me. Then follow with polish. My Starliner is Black, which shows every imperfection, and thou severely oxidized came back from the dead.

[jgreen]

sand sand sand sand, buff buff buff buff, polish polish polish polish http://checkmate-boats.com/groupee/forums/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/yell.gif

[85Predictor]

Brian,
Any details on how you sprayed the clear coat on? Thanks