Automotive Paint Over/On Top Of Gel Coat

[College Kid]

Starting my research on my maybe winter project. I purchased my 92 Prostar this spring and have started working through issues as they come up this season.

The boat was redone at some point not long ago and from afar and in pictures looks great. It's once you’re up close to start to notice a few problems/issues. These range from missing foam below the windshield, to an obvious patch and filler on the gunnel, to the seam between the hull and top deck not meeting up as they should.

I took this boat in as a trade and new it would be a bit of a project to get it into the condition I would be happy with, but it runs and gets me and my family on the lake, which is by far the most important part of owning a boat.

Now you know the back story I am going to use this thread to detail my progress and help me find answers to the questions I can't seem to search out. Thanks everyone in advance.

First issue I am going to tackle is that the boat was painted, which as I mentioned makes it look great from far away. Although up close you can tell it is a re paint, most due to very obvious rock chips on the bow. I was told it look like it was painted with automotive paint, probably right over the old Gel coat.

So what do you guys suggest is the best way to remove the paint without ruining the gel coat? Suggestions?

[Mgboyd25]

Could we see some pictures of it?

[gatorguy]

Tomcat had the same issue. He had it redone through an insurance claim but I guess it cost an arm and a leg. Looks like the guy sanded it down and started from scratch. Search for his thread it may give you an idea.

[College Kid]

Here is a picture of it looking pretty good from far away. I'll see if I can't get how bad it really is to show up in some pictures this afternoon.

I was quoted over 15,000 for a pro to clean it up and give it a whole new gelcoat. I just can't justify spending that short of money. Not that I don't think it's worth that at a pro shop but I think much of that is just the labour hours it's going to take sanding it down after I get the paint out.

My thinking is that if I can get the paint off and fix as many of the dings and issues myself: 1) I will learn a new skill which is always nice, 2) I will have a boat that I can take some true pride in, knowing I did it myself.

I am thinking I will still need to have it sent out once I do all the leg work to be re gelcoated, although I won't know how bad it is until I get the paint off.

I was reading last night that probably acetone is the place to start and if that doesn't work move to airplane stripper?

[mikeg205]

when you say deck and hull not meeting up as it should what do you mean...some pics would help. I had some issues with my deck and hull where the previous owner bumped docks etc. I removed the rub rail and filled in the problem areas with 3M 5200....drilled out old rivets and put in new rivets glued in with 3M 5200.

Windshield gasket - easy..just have someone help you...glass very expensive.

regarding the paint...check into wrapping it with vinyl. Lot less work and aggravation and you can personalize the boat. If you have patience you can wrap it yourself....not easy...but might a good project for the winter if you have a heated work area.

[College Kid]

Here are some pictures of the major issues. I tried to get some of where the paint ran bit but couldn't get them to show up. in the picture that looks like just the side of the boat, that is showing over spray, it is not a water line mark.

[Kyle]

I dont see anything wrong with the last pic in post #6



The top cap and the bottom hull should not be seamed together.

The boat is designed to be separated if need be.




The paint is really the only issue. Were is the foam missing?


Have you thought about just sanding the entire boat or possibly sanding where the two colors meet and just have a wrap put on......


A wrap will cost you tons and you can make it look pretty cool for a lot less cash.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

I dont see anything wrong with the last pic in post #6



The top cap and the bottom hull should not be seamed together.

The boat is designed to be separated if need be.




The paint is really the only issue. Were is the foam missing?


Have you thought about just sanding the entire boat or possibly sanding where the two colors meet and just have a wrap put on......


A wrap will cost you tons and you can make it look pretty cool for a lot less cash.

Looks like some questionable quality body work, and some crack repairs needed. I'm with Kyle on this........get the repairs handled, smooth out the surfaces, and throw a wrap on it.

[College Kid]

What's a wrap cost? I've thought about it but I am not sure if I can find a place local to do it. has anyone ever done a home job? I'd love to see some how to's on that?

[mikeg205]

It all depends. It can cost as much as $6000 or as little as $3000 depending on what you are getting and if you want a customer design. Home jobs are tough. You can order solid vinyl color...check out this website...www.signsplusbanners.com they sell all sorts of stuff for wraps...they are on of my customers. The trick is to make sure the the surface is smooth and clean. The wrappers I know use vinegar and isopropyl alcohol to make sure the surface is free of any contaminants. There's all sorts of stuff you can do... a boat is easy to wrap compared to a car...less seams and objects to wrap around...i.e. side mirrors.

It takes practice to make it easy. Small set of tools needed...they are all available at places like signsplusbanners.com or fellers.com.

The guy who started www.fellers.com did his first wrap when he started his company...took him 3 weeks to wrap a pick up truck and lots of vinyl waste...

PM me with your city and I can get you hooked up with some wrappers so you can at least get an estimate...

[College Kid]

I dont see anything wrong with the last pic in post #6



The top cap and the bottom hull should not be seamed together.

The boat is designed to be separated if need be.




The paint is really the only issue. Were is the foam missing?


Have you thought about just sanding the entire boat or possibly sanding where the two colors meet and just have a wrap put on......


A wrap will cost you tons and you can make it look pretty cool for a lot less cash.

Here is a couple of pictures to clear up the missing foam(sealer tape).

Kyle, you don't think that these screws should go through the hull as well as the top deck?

[mikeg205]

Are those machine screws or are they pointed like wood screws. There should be a rubber gasket in there. The windshield frame is screwed to the deck and there should be a foam gasket under the frame and a rubber strip covering the hole. My 1995 gas machine screws with brass nuts holding the windshield frame down. Are you missing the pictured rubber strip all the way around?

Is that side of your windshield connected to deck where screw hole is open?

[mikeg205]

Took some quick pictures of mine... the width of the rubber strip is 5/8" - you can check with www.jamestowndistributors.com to get a replacement roll. Very easy to install.

[mikeg205]

Here this may work...right width - 8 ft $20 plus frieght....

[kyfooter]

Are you certain after sanding, you'll need to re-gelcoat the entire boat? I can't imagine whoever decided to paint the boat actually sanded into the gelcoat first. Is there a chance you could just sand out the paint back down to the original gelcoat? Not saying there isn't a ton of labor involved, but it may not be as bad as you think.