Help with refinishing fiberglass boat!

Hey all, got a few questions for ya'.

I am wanting to refinish the boat that is shown on this link...
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16414

I was wondering..this is my thought process for starting to refinish her, so bear with me...there are several questions in the sentance!

To refinish the fiberglass outside-hull?-patch her where in spots needs filled, or is there a patching material or sheets that can be used and her down and then paint, but what kind of paint, does there need to be a sealer underneath, like kilz or something else and what kind of sealant needs to be used over the paint, how many coats of the sealer is needed?

Ok, then...for the interior of the cuddy, what can I use to paint in there? It is just blah and I want to brighten it up in there. I am planning on making new cushions and "hatch doors" to the base of the cuddy. So that a port-a-pottie and other items can be stored better.

For the main floor, it is sturdy, but I am wanting new carpet to put down. Do I need to seal the floor again, with what, how many coats and what style of carpet do I get, I was thinking of outdoor carpet from Menards or something.

As far as seating, still haven't got that far in that process. I am not sure how many seats, what kind of seats, etc. I was thinking of the fold out style for extra sleeping? I dunno yet.

For a canopy and cover, she already has snaps installed into the fiberglass, and I thought that I may find something to fit...yeah right, I would imagine that I will have to make that too, or have it special made.

I am soooo cheap and want to do this with my family and want her to look nice too. I figured we saved so much on her that we can spend a little to get her back to beautiful again.

Any suggestions or ideas would be great!

Thanks, Babe

 

first thing u should do is buff the hull with some rubbing compound, this will clean her up, then u will see what needs touching up, u may not need to paint, u may just need to fill in any gouges with some gelcoat paste simalar to the color of the hull and sand them smooth, with a good color match u wont even see them

 

Thanks, Jack!!! I really appreciate your reply!

I just want to make her sooo beautiful again! Since I am having help finding out more about her, and since there may only be a few of her around, I would really like to bring her back to close to original.

Ok, is this rubbing compound found just about anywhere, like Menards, Farm King, Lowe's or do I need to go to a specalty place for it?

Do I need a lot of it and what would be the right "rag/cloth" to use. I have tons of old towels and t-shirts that I could use, or does it need to be white so the color doesn't transfer?

Then...I do think she needs painted, she is reaaaaalllly faded all over and chaulky looking. From what you are saying about the rubbing compound, the chaulky might go away, but she is really faded.

If we paint her, what would be a good paint and sealer?

As far as the gouges, there are a few, 3 to be exact. One right below where she sets on the trailer, guessing someone was in a hurry, it is small. The other 2 are on the rail, itty bitty and a "putty" might work there?

The only other things that really stand out are already fiberglass taped over, one gouge is...guessing here...from a dock rub and is noticable, but it needs patched better to make it smooth. Would sanding be helpful here and a new fill or patch until smooth?

I am sorry about all the questions, there are few around here to ask and this wonderful place has such great people and info that I feel that I can ask and get and honest answer here.

I have tons of questions, so bare with me!!!

Thanks, Babe

 

Can I use the fiberglass tape with some sort of adhesive?

Thanks, Babe