• Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
    By joining our free community you will be able to:

    » Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
    » Post topics and messages
    » Post and view photos
    » Communicate privately with other members
    » Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
    » Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery

    Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

94' Black Pulse Finish - Deck

M

Mich Pulse

Member
Hello all,

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! My deck is faded from previous owner leaving it out in sun. The boat is all black with pink(unfortunately) graphics in the gel coat, small on deck and some on sides of boat. The sun has burned through the gel coat in certain areas, not many, but it has....I think. It is like pin holes in the finish. Can I wet sand this out really good, shoot a new clear and expect the color to look good?????? My other option is my buddy wants to shoot the boat with a paint called awgrip (augrip)....says this is the most durable paint out and will last the life of the boat.... I will keep the boat out of the sun as much as possible either way I go....I really don't want to paint the whole boat at all this isn't an option. Paint top, or shoot clear? Please help, I have to make up my mind shortly one way or the other.

Thanks!
 
Hi, not having seen the boat puts me at an disadvantage to give you the best pos. way to fix. To keep the original appearance of the hull you can lightly sand the top with 500-600 wet sand paper then spray with clear awlgrip (or other similar type of "paint" eg; imron) You can do the sides also so that the shine of the finish is even/matching. The pin holes if they are small will "fill in" with the clear. So as long as there is still color in the bottom of the pin holes they will be ok. Later,addgas.
 
I agree, the best action would be to wet sand and clear coat. I have had very good luck with the automotive polyerethane clear. You can even add some sparkles to it if you want. I would stay away from painting the boat with a color. When ever I see this as a dealer I'm asking myself what is it trying to hide?
Bob
 
Hey Mich,
I do this kind of work for a living, and it has been my experience to try the most inexpensive first.. Try to wet sand with 800 to get the small pits out of it, if they come out give it another light touch of 1000 and then 1200 to get the scratches minimized. Then get some (diamond cut, or fine cut ) rubbing compound. Use a high speed buffer(dewalt ect...) to buff the surface, run the buffer on about 2000rpm til you get comfortable, and then you can turn it up.. I would use a regular compound pad.. If that doesnt work then shoot the clear, and repeat these steps.. hope i was some help..
Evan Hobgood
Finest Touch Inc.
Here is my work number if you have any questions
1-270-210-0012
 
I've tried almost everything and the best compound for badly oxidized gelcoat is Aqua-Buff. Wet sand, AQ 1000, AQ 2000, then polish. It is used in the fiberglass industry to prep molds. You apply it, mist it with water and buff at high speed 2500+rpm. It will bring your gelcaot back from the dead and though it can't remove the pin holes (pitting), you will only see them if you look right up close. It is a suspended silica sand and you'll see the sand everywhere when you are done, but the results will speak for themselves.
 
Having owned a black Starflite and trying all the best known products on the market. I discovered a product that is the BEST..BAR NONE
I feel like I'm giving up a secret.It is a easy to apply product and is a polish made for metals and fiberglass gel, and in my opinion way better than FLITZ. Just try it, its called
MAAS POLISHING CREAM. So there I said it
 
Hey KK
Is Maas going to restore a severally oxidized hull like he is describing? What's in it? Is it jewellers rouge? If that's what it is I wonder if it is going to get deep enough to remove severe oxidation. I've tried a bunch of "miracle" products but none that can get down to the root of the problem without a serious abrasive. How do you apply it? I'd love to find the Holy Grail of boat care!
 
Hey Mark,
I have tried so many different types of polishes and even tried Penatrytol not to mention some expensive 3m I'll watch my language
poop. MAAS Polish is used on AIR Craft windows and even wings to improve the coefficient of friction to save them fuel. I honestly dont know the chemistry of the product but I was able to make my black Starflite that had areas of heavier oxidation look like new without SCRATCHES this stuff just gets it done with out serious abrasive effects, Im talkin smooth a glass/mirrorlike reflection. I could go on and on. Yes there are of course other products I like,but I just sent for more from AIRCRAFT SPRUCE.com
 
MAAS GOES ON LIKE BUTTER. rub it on and buff it off before it dries. Youd think I had a stake in the company but I dont. Just think its a great product. Ive never had to use it on fiberglass that felt like non slip tape but if its in oxidation in the gel I know it works and its fricken so easy. lOVE IT
 
Hey Mich Pulse,

I wont try and answer how best to get an acceptable and proven coat of black paint for your boat as many on this forum are way more knowledgeable than me on the subject and have offered many great suggestions (Disturbed's recommendation I think should work pretty well).

However, as an owner of another black Pulse I know what you are going for. My boat is all black, with teal and white lines curving along the side and finishing at a point near the bow. I don't know your exact situation (i.e. if you have a boathouse or garage) but here are a few tips that I can give from personal experience (and these are for when you get your new paint applied).

If you have a boathouse I highly recommend that you put the boat away right after use. I never let mine sit at the front dock under the hot sun, even though it is more convenient to just jump in then have to run over to the boathouse. I am very careful about scratched as they show up on black so easily that I installed special bumpers at the sides of the boat (three on each side) to protect from surface and deeper scratches.

I also have nailed up white sheets (soon to be replaced by white blinds this summer) over the boathouse windows to prevent the sun from coming through the windows and directly hitting my boat. I also use the full mooring cover every chance I get, even though it can be a paint to straddle the boat to get it on sometimes (lucky I am young and agile). I also dont wax it that often, too much washing can actually strip the paint of its natural sheen (just like cars). But when I do ( about twice a month per summer) I make sure it gets the total spa experience. Also watch at the gas station that you dont get drips of gas on the side or back of the boat (i never fill mine right up and always wash the area quickly after a fill up to prevent the gas from fading my color.

Black is beautiful, but a pain to keep clean. Hopefully these suggestions will help you in the future once you restore your boat's colour.
 
Thank you very much to all who have help in this discussion. I just got the boat out of storage and it is soon to be in the garage for it's update/treatment. I will post photos of what I'm dealing with and hopefully we can all figure my best route to fixin' her up. Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top