How to Clear Coat a Boat
- Trailer the boat home if its currently in the water. Place the boat under an eve or carport if possible.
- Wash the hull with a mild detergent dish soap. Mix a cup of soap to three gallons of water in a bucket.
- Sand the entire boat with 400-grit sandpaper. ...
- Wipe down all sanding residue with towels and rubbing alcohol. ...
Full Answer
Can you clear coat a boat?
If it looks good wet you can clear coat it, but it is a very big job! Imron clear by Dupont is the paint of choice, Its even better that the clear gel coat! Everything on the boat must be removed for a good job!
How do you remove gelcoat from a boat?
Begin by making sure any surface dirt and stains are removed. If your gelcoat is looking really dull, with no bright or shiny spots, you'll need to apply polish first. Once you've applied the polish, or if your boat isn't overly dull, you can move on to using wax. Clean your boat's surface with boat soap and warm water.
What is the best way to clean a boat?
Boat soap is designed to reduce residue and is better for the environment than dish soap, so it's your best bet for cleaning your boat. Mix together 2 parts warm water with 1 part boat soap in a large pail or bucket.
What kind of paint do you use on your boat?
Imron clear by Dupont is the paint of choice, Its even better that the clear gel coat! Everything on the boat must be removed for a good job! Motor, and all!
What can I use to clear coat a boat?
0:213:44Using DiamondFinish Clear To Revitalize Oxidized Fiberglass on a ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I've done here is I've taken some of the diamond finish clear.MoreWhat I've done here is I've taken some of the diamond finish clear.
Do you clear coat boat paint?
Typically the clear coat on a bass boat is meant to protect the metalflake. You can choose a clear paint or clear gelcoat. Clear gelcoat is typically what bass boats use at the factory for UV protection over metalflake but gelcoat isn't as easy to use as paint.
How do you apply clear gel coat on a boat?
1:042:30180 Clear Gel Coat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOur clear gel coat starts slightly milky in liquid form when catalyzing clear gel coat it is veryMoreOur clear gel coat starts slightly milky in liquid form when catalyzing clear gel coat it is very important to get your measurements accurate. Number 180 should be catalyzed.
What's the difference between clear coat and gelcoat?
Re: clear coat vs gel coat Clear coat will work fine reagarding gloss, appearance, and UV protection and may even look better than gel, it is also easier to repair. That said as far as durabilty and scratch resistance, gelcoat is the way to go, also clearcoat is not recommended below the water line.
Can you use automotive clear coat on a boat?
You can use any effect paint on a boat without worrying about resistance to salt and water. It is actually the final topcoat (polyurethane or epoxy) that will serve as a barrier against the water. Automotive clear coats are perfectly waterproof and UV resistant.
Can I clear coat over gelcoat?
Yes, It is possible to just spray clear over GelCoat.
Can you brush on gel coat?
0:242:36Quicktips: How to brush apply gelcoat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe best method to apply gel coat by brush is to basically just load the brush. Each time you makeMoreThe best method to apply gel coat by brush is to basically just load the brush. Each time you make contact with the mold. You basically just spread it on just dot and a bit here and there.
Does gel coat come in a spray can?
Easy to Use. With a simple shake of our unique spray can, Dolphinite gelcoat is ready to apply. The adjustable nozzle lets you choose a broad spray to cover large areas quickly, or a narrow spray to finely control application. No special equipment is required.
Can you spray gelcoat over gelcoat?
Can You Spray Gelcoat Over Gelcoat? The short answer's yes. But first, make sure the surface is free from dirt and debris. Using the window frame analogy again, you wouldn't apply new paint over old paint without preparing the surface.
How long does it take for gel coat to cure?
Most re-sprayed gel coat will cure in 2-4 hours, although overnight cures are ideal. Begin wet sanding with the finest grit that will remove orange peel in the re-sprayed area. This will avoid unnecessary sanding scratches. Usually 320 or 400 grit wet paper is sufficient for the initial sanding.
How do you flow coat a boat?
3:4110:03APPLYING FLOWCOAT TO BOAT HULL - PART 6 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we've got to give it a full 24 hours to cure. So we can sand it back and recoat. And we had aMoreSo we've got to give it a full 24 hours to cure. So we can sand it back and recoat. And we had a little bit of spare flow coat left over so we decided just to paint the inside where the string is.
Can you use gel coat on fiberglass?
Gel coat is the most common surface coating used in the fabrication and repair of fiberglass reinforced products.
How to apply clear coat to a boat?
With a tarp under your boat to catch any leavings, you can then apply the clear coat with a brush, working from top to bottom as you move the brush side to side. You can be patient here—you want a smooth, even application of the clear coat so that it will perform as consistently as possible.
Can you tape off a boat?
Once the boat is rinsed and dried, you can then tape off all the areas that won’t receive the new clear coat. This is a process that’s a lot like painting—you don’t want the clear coat to get into sensitive areas on the boat and corners where it doesn’t otherwise belong.
How to polish a boat?
1. Pour a small amount of polish onto a soft cloth. Most boat supply stores carry gelcoat polish. The label on the polish you choose should tell you exactly how much to use. However, you don't want to use too much, since you'll be working in small sections, no bigger than 1 ft (0.30 m) square.
How to restore shine on boat?
Restoring your gelcoat can help restore the shine of your boat and protect its surface. Begin by making sure any surface dirt and stains are removed. If your gelcoat is looking really dull, with no bright or shiny spots, you'll need to apply polish first. Once you've applied the polish, or if your boat isn't overly dull, you can move on to using wax.
How to apply wax to a boat?
Use a cloth to apply the wax by hand. Hold the cloth in the palm of your hand. Starting at one end of the hull, press the cloth against the hull of the boat and rub in the wax using a circular motion. You can move clockwise or counterclockwise, but stick to one direction.
How to get rid of haze on gelcoat?
Once you see this haze, use a soft old bath towel to buff away the excess wax. What's left over will fill the pits in the gelcoat and restore the shine.
How to make gelcoat shine?
2. Rub the polish into the gelcoat. Hold the cloth with the polish on it in your dominant hand. Then use small circular motions to rub the polish into the gelcoat. Continue rubbing until the surface gets a glassy shine. ...
How to wax a boat by hand?
If your boat is large, or if you just don't have the time or patience to apply wax by hand, you can use a buffer. The foam pad will latch onto the buffer. Then place the pad flat against the hull of the boat and turn it on.
How to check if a boat is cracked?
Check for damage or cracks. Once your boat is clean, walk along it, looking for cracks. It can be helpful to run your hand over the surface of your boat as you walk, since you might feeI a crack before you see it.
How to clean gelcoat?
For dependable results from wax or polish, the gelcoat surface must be completely free of oil and grease. Detergents often fail to fully remove these contaminants from porous gelcoat. Wipe the entire surface with a rag soaked in MEK (preferred) or acetone, turning the rag often and replacing it when you run out of clean areas. Again, protect your skin with thick rubber gloves.
What to use to remove gelcoat wax?
If the gelcoat is weathered so badly that polish fails to restore its shine, you will need the stronger abrasives rubbing compound contains. Wax on the surface can cause the compound to cut unevenly, so first remove all wax by "sweeping" the surface in one direction — not back and forth — with rags saturated with dewax solvent or toluene.
What is the outer surface of a fiberglass boat called?
The outer surface of a fiberglass boat is normally a special resin called gelcoat. Gelcoat has little structural value — the underlying laminates of resin-saturated glass fabric provide that — but gelcoat protects the hull and gives it its color and shine. When the gelcoat was originally sprayed into the hull mold, ...
How long does a boat wax last?
Regularly waxed gelcoat can retain its gloss for 15 years or more. The real purpose of a coat of wax is to protect, but wax also has restorative properties if the gelcoat is not too badly weathered.
How to apply gelcoat wax?
Application instructions vary among brands, but in general you apply the wax with a cloth or foam pad using a circular motion. Let the wax dry to a haze, then buff away the excess with a soft cloth, such as an old bath towel. The remaining wax fills microscopic pitting in the gelcoat and provides a new, smooth, reflective surface.
Why is gelcoat chalky?
Time and exposure eventually erode the relatively soft surface of gelcoat, leaving it dull and chalky. Fortunately, the gloss usually can be restored.
What is included in a restoration kit?
Restorer kits typically include a prep wash and sometimes a polish in addition to the restorer. A specialized stripper for removing old sealer is also necessary. There are variations in the recommended application, but in general it is the same as already described — clean, polish, and coat.
Can you use a preval sprayer on polyurethane?
The Preval sprayer will work, but you'll need to cut the polyurethane a bit. How much depends on the tip size in the sprayer, so some experimenting will be necessary. Cut it just enough to remove spraying stipple.
Can you cut marine varnish?
Marine polyurethane varnish (spar) can be cut with a few different things, but mineral spirits is the usual solvent. Again, just cut it enough to get it through the sprayer without leaving a stipple on the work. Spar varnishes will add a considerable amount of an amber color to the work, because of the significant amount of UV inhibitors (and some pigment) added. It's not an objectionable amount or color, but some can be surprised by it.
