I need help, please!!

So I am deciding to rebuild my boat...it's a 1985 Challenger Sport Fisher Pro Series. I am currently stripping the boat down of all its hardware and anything that will prohibit me from painting the boat. Now, the gelcoat on the boat is absolutely terrible (lost its luster, faded, oxidized, etc.). It's all the way down to the metalflake paint itself. My decision was made to respray the boat and apply a new gelcoat as well. Seeing as I'm no pro at this, and this is the first time that I have ever decided to take on a project like this, I need some extra guidance on where to go from here. Does anyone know what materials I'm supposed to use, what paint would be the best choice (brand, etc.), and also how the painting process generally takes place. I am needing some guidance on someone who knows a little bit of something about this...anyone??? :?:

 

Hi challenger83
Not sure if this will help you or not, but here goes:

Hawkeye Industries in Georgia make a great product called Duratec (no, I don't work for them, but I have used it as a professional) if you are keen to replace the gelcoat on your boat. However, I can't recommend it for somebody who is not experienced in the application of 2-pack products.
This is option 1, you could do all of the prep work (as you are doing) and get it applied professionally.

Option 2 is to use a 2 pack polyurethane such as Awlgrip or Imron.
These (and those like them) are excellent products, but they are EXTREMELY TOXIC and must be applied by someone using an air-supplied respirator etc. This stuff will kill you!

Not sure how big your boat is, but if it will fit into an auto resprayer's spraybooth/baking oven, then that will give you the best results.
Some auto refinishers are reluctant to spray boats because of the large areas involved.

Sorry to give you bad news, but I think you should have the facts.

Some linear polyurethanes can be applied by roller/brush which can give good results in the right hands, but you should still wear a charcoal respirator at the very least.

Ordinary single pack enamels will produce results that are ordinary in terms of durability. They will also devalue your boat significantly.

Refinishing is perhaps the one thing that needs to be left to the professionals.

Hope this puts you in the picture, if you need anything clarified, please come back to me.

Best of luck,

Chris