Color Restoration

[88Starflite]

Hi everyone!

Ive got a '88 Starflite in Black, Silver and Red. The hull is in pretty good shape, just a few scratchs and nicks. The upper deck is typical ignored, been outside all of its life gelcoat faded some spider cracks looking mess. I can deal with the gel coat and the cracks no problem. My problem is the black on the upper deck has faded to almost a grey. Is there anyway to tint the gelcoat to darken the black, with out having to repaint all the color? I thought it was the gelcoat yellowing causing this, but I redid one of the cooler lids, and it looks great, its just dark grey, and it is lighter in color than the inside of the cooler.

 

[teamhart2]

if theres still some gelcoat on it, wetsanding and buffing it might fix it up pretty nice. something like 800 grit, then a 1000 and then some buffing compound, the aquabuff compounds are pretty popular on here

 

[Rob B]

Looking at your picture it seems that someone clear coated the deck and it's peeling. You can either remove it and try what TH2 stated above or have the deck clear coated again.

 

[88Starflite]

Looking at your picture it seems that someone clear coated the deck and it's peeling. You can either remove it and try what TH2 stated above or have the deck clear coated again.

I do think someone clear coated it at one time. Most of that is gone. The gel is kinda of thin in spots, I dont think there is enough to buff it out. I havent decided if I am going to spray it with urethane or gel coat. My only hang up is the color issue, to me it looks like the black has faded to gray????? I will try and get some good pics this weekend.

 

[SippyRat]

welcome 88Starflite! oh yes another 80's mate with sweet ass lines! and you cant beat the way a starflite with a fat mil hangin off it looks sittin in the water! i have no experiance in this area so i have absolutely no ideas for you but if the boat is solid enough it is definitely worth a restoration. many guys on the forums like cmpulse, yellowfiero88 and others have breathed new life into older mates with much success! i do know that "half assed" is only taking ten steps backwards. if you can afford it then do it right or wait until you can. good luck

 

[88Starflite]

welcome 88Starflite! oh yes another 80's mate with sweet ass lines! and you cant beat the way a starflite with a fat mil hangin off it looks sittin in the water! i have no experiance in this area so i have absolutely no ideas for you but if the boat is solid enough it is definitely worth a restoration. many guys on the forums like cmpulse, yellowfiero88 and others have breathed new life into older mates with much success! i do know that "half assed" is only taking ten steps backwards. if you can afford it then do it right or wait until you can. good luck

Thanks! I have restored a few boats. This is my first 'Mate! Cant wait to finish it. I have learned that half assing bites you in the ass bigtime!