Metal Flake

[Leedo Lanes]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone knew when Checkmate stopped using metalflake paint. Also, Why?? I see it all the time in bassboats but never in anything else. Is there any reason for this?? What is the best way to maintain the metalflake in looking great??

-1989 Sportfire with blue and silver metalflake...

 

[Kip Combs]

Leedo.......we haven't stoppped using flake.....still do if someone wants it! We don't see much all flake orders anymore but some boats are ordered with flake striping. As for maintaining it .....as long as the clear is still in good shape just keep it waxed up.If the clear is bad there is some work to be done to get it back in original shape.

 

[Leedo Lanes]

Thanks Kip,

I have always been a fan of the flake so it is good to know that it is still being used. Nothing looks cooler than seeing it glisten in the sun. Did you guys ever use through transom exhaust on a 4.3 mercruiser?? I wondered how the sound would be....

 

[Kip Combs]

I've never heard one run....but i'm sure it would sound pretty cool.

 

[william bailey]

Leedo,

I had thru hull on my 4.3 with my 1987 18' Sportfire. It was definatly impressive for a small engine that it was. It was red metal flake and got a whole lot of looks when I came around. It was a true hot rod.

 

[Leedo Lanes]

Thanks William,

I was thinking that that was what I wanted to do. I just wasn't sure if you could get the exhaust manifolds and risers for a 4.3. Most exhaust sounds pretty cool no matter what size the motor!!

 

[wetvette]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kip Combs:
Leedo.......we haven't stoppped using flake.....still do if someone wants it! We don't see much all flake orders anymore but some boats are ordered with flake striping. As for maintaining it .....as long as the clear is still in good shape just keep it waxed up.If the clear is bad there is some work to be done to get it back in original shape. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hello, you said that if the clear is bad then there is some work to do, what kind of work is needed? i have a 83 baja 200ss(i know, it's not a checkmate but this is the most down to earth forum) and it is red with black and silver stripes(with metal flakes) the clear is faded and pealing in spots. i was going to try to just buff it and see how it looks, do you have any ideas?

 

[175checkmate]

Welcome to the board wetvette.

 

[wetvette]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 175checkmate:
Welcome to the board wetvette. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

thanks man.

 

[bdusted440]

If theclear is pealing then it has to be sanded down to the gel coat and refinished.

 

[wetvette]

great.

do you know what refinishing entails? is it just getting the clear re-sprayed?
sorry if i ask too many questions, i just want to know what i'm up against.

 

[cooperider]

If your clear is pealing. someone may have already used regular paint to reclear it.

 

[Victorious1]

Hi Kip, just wondering if you know where I could get touch up paint for the metalflake on my 1978 Inmate 1. Can I use regular automotive paint or does it have to be the same as the original factory paint? Also, when I clear coat the upper part of my boat do I have to remove all of the old clear coat or do I just feather out the yellowed portions of the original clear coat?

Vic

 

[cak]

i wet sanded all the clear off thetop of my 15 foot checkmate down to where the metal flakes were rubing of then i shot about 4 coats of clear back on it looks 100 times better

 

[bdusted440]

To do it right you have to sand it all off and then either spray gel on it or automotive clear on it .Either way it will look good when you get it done.

 

[Hoser]

According to Mike at Checkmate, if you have metal flake you are in luck! The reason for this is Checkmate used 3-5 coats of clear gelcoat before they sprayed on the flake. Checkmate recommends wet sanding with 1200 grit paper, then going over the wetsanded clear gelcoat with Flitz metal polish and fiberglass cleaner. The Flitz stuff if expensive ($18/tube) but works great!!! Remember to buy a blue-block (flat rubber block availble at automotive stores) to hold the sandpaper flat for the wet sanding portion. Also, wetsand at a 30 degreee angle to your edges, with the blueblock held parallel to the edge for best results. Don't sand in circles.

My heavily oxidized Black/Red/Silver 1986 Starflight came out great using this process. Remember to use a good Marine Carnuba wax after the Flitz polish to preserve the finish and protect against the sun.

Best,
Rob Vose

 

[Leedo Lanes]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the advise. I wasn't about to touch the boat with sandpaper unless I heard of someone having good luck with it. It looks pretty good as is but just needs some touch up work. For some reason my engine hatch is a lot more faded than anywhere else on the boat. It is a blue and silver metalflake...

 

[bigredinohio]

Leedo.......we haven't stoppped using flake.....still do if someone wants it! We don't see much all flake orders anymore but some boats are ordered with flake striping. As for maintaining it .....as long as the clear is still in good shape just keep it waxed up.If the clear is bad there is some work to be done to get it back in original shape.

What exactly would need to be done if the clear is missing (or is it)? Just bough a Checkmate yesterday and approx. 70-80% of boat where the sun has hit it for years has faded and pretty rough to the touch, assuming it's the metal flaking that I feel. Any suggestions and is this going to cost a pretty penny?