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Author
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Topic: Hull Restoration?
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martyb
JuniorMember
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posted January 02, 2003 10:11 PM
 
We just had a 1985 CL-16 donated to our yacht club for junior instruction. The hull is heavily hazed due to sun and salt. In the process of wet sanding the blue gel I'm seeing a hazy view of the cloth in the hull through the gel coat. Is this normal? Or, will I have to paint the hull (I hope not!).If anyone can help please email me at martyb@eudoramail.com.
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Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted January 03, 2003 01:16 AM
Happy New Year Marty: In response to the question you posted on the CL User Forum I will first tell you that you do not need to paint the hull.
A few years ago I used to work for a used boat dealer in Alberta (of all places) and one of my jobs was to take old faded hulls and restore them to showroom condition. I was amazed to see some of the neglected boats suddenly come to life after giving them a bit of TLC. My method was to use a good rubbing compound and any brand of car wax. I can't remember the name of the "compound" but the folks at any chandelry can help you out. I would rub the compound on with a damp cloth ( you can even hose the boat down if you wish) and buff the rubbing compound off with a power buffer. After completing the compounding aspect of the job, I apply 2 coats of "Mirror Glaze" found at most hardware stores. I would shy away from wet sanding at the moment and go with the compound. I have had quite a bit of success with this method and I'm sure you will too. Good Luck !!
Robert
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martyb
JuniorMember
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posted January 03, 2003 09:28 PM
Thanks for the input. This forum is great! I'm still concerned about the cloth pattern showing faintly through the gel. Is this normal for this type of boat? Is the gel very thin when applied?
Thanks for your help.
Marty Becker
North Palm Beach, FL
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Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted January 04, 2003 12:21 AM
Marty; I'm not quite sure what you mean by "cloth pattern showing through the gel" Is it possible for you to send a pic to my e-mail address? celtickiss2120@hotmail.com Are there streaks on the hull? Robert THIS IS POST # 200 FOR ME ON THIS FORUM.  I ALSO SEE THAT THE NEXT POST WILL BE #1000. [This message has been edited by Celtic Kiss (edited January 04, 2003).]
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martyb
JuniorMember
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posted January 04, 2003 04:34 PM
The actual fiberglass cloth appears to be showning through the resin and gel. It's not on the actual surface but the texture of the cloth shows through when you look closely.
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Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted January 04, 2003 07:50 PM
Marty; This could be a problem but not an overwhelming one. A new gelcoat should solve the problem. Do you know the history of the boat? Has it been through storms etc? Robert
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martyb
JuniorMember
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posted January 05, 2003 12:01 AM
I don't know the history, other than for the last two years it was on a storage lot under the Florida sun and salt air. Generally dark blue gelcote doesn't do well unless it is waxed frequently, which it wasn't. Before Florida it was in Connecticut for several years, but I don't know under what circumstances. Would it be less costly to awlgrip the hull than re-gelcoating it? I can do it myself as opposed to get a gel job, I know not where. Would it harm the boat to merely wet sand or compund and wax, despite the effect of the cloth pattern under the thin gel?
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Celtic Kiss
unregistered
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posted January 05, 2003 12:19 AM
Marty; I suspect that you can get away just sanding (????) compound and wax, as it doesn't sound like the hulls integrity has been compromised. I'll provide you with a link to a popular discussion forum. There are some people there who know alot about refinishing work. Some of these guys are located in Florida, and you never know, there could be some people there who live close to you.
http://trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/ Robert
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Tom D CL16
Member
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posted January 05, 2003 07:16 PM
Marty,
In the post a CL16 in Florida I described what I did to the hull of my very old CL16 The previous owner didn't recognize it even when I told him the number.
Tom D.
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martyb
JuniorMember
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posted January 05, 2003 11:27 PM
Tom:
Where is the post? I'm interested in what you did.
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Eric
Member
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posted January 06, 2003 08:51 PM
Hey Marty, welcome.I'm with Tom on this one, I would go at it with some epoxy. If there isn't very many gouges(sp?) you may not need to add much filler. You could also look up www.westsystem.com/ . There is a lot of info there on working with epoxy, and repairs etc. Best of luck getting your boat back in the water! cheers, Eric
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