TOPIC: fiberglass stability savable?

i posted a boat where a lot of the fiberglass is exposed no paint or gel coat left it just looks like screening.

as a newbie I'm asking is that a restorable condition. can it just be sanded some and painted over ???? or what would need to be done ?
thanks

Any crazing in the remaining gel coat will need to be ground out and filled or the old gel coat entirely ground off; high-build primer such as Duratec, painted or re-gel-coated. Anything is savable given enough time and money.

time and money i'm getting the picture as my very first project has slowed because of both lol

thanks

This is not a huge problem, don't be intimidated. What I usually do is sand the surface down smooth as possible. If you have a random orbit palm sander you can use a 200 grit or finer paper and it will do wonders to remove all the remaining gel and junk. WEAR BREATHING AND EYE PROTECTION cuz there will be glass fibers in the air. That will go surprisingly fast. Once that is done you can put several coats of high build primer to smooth it back out. Wally world or most large outlet stores will sell the primer in gallon cans. Rustoleum has it in gallons also which is less expensive than going to an auto paint store.

thanks, good to know but not sure I want to tackle that boat, looks very cool have to say

i had the same road rash on mine i went under the damaged area and added a couple of layers on the inside to build it up for strength and then as the others resin to build it back up and then some filler primer so you can see the voids but add something back inside to keep the strength as the surrounding areas..... then build the outside up.

billy i

yea good idea i did that on the boat i am working on but the Question : is the value of the boat there , to go to the trouble, time /expense to do it??

In almost every case of old fiberglass boats, no. Unless it's a very specific, rare model very few are worth repairing at that level if you are talking about real dollar figures.

OTOH, many of them are well worth the effort from a hobby and enjoyment perspective. But it's REALLY rare that you aren't just throwing away money to do what we do, LOL.

Basic question....what brand/model/year is the boat??
If you're thinking of flipping it for a profit forget it. You can pretty much recover your material costs but factoring in your labor you take a loss.
Most of us do it just for the enjoyment of seeing the old gals back on the water and in their glory. Not to mention all the thumbs up you will get. Hard getting a launch when people are bending your ear about the classic.
By the time you get a running motor, gas tanks, registration, safety stuff, safe trailer etc. you will have a pretty good investment. Basic materials just for getting the hull is ship shape will be anywhere from $1 - $2000. if you do it right.

yes i think you both are right I am understanding that more and more.
someone posted on my sightings listing that it looks like a lone star continental 1957 ish ?????
i do like to tinker, sadly i don't have a covered workshop and a ton of slush money to play with lol

Come to think of it I have not been in a boat very much either, lol, and have yet to get out on one myself piloting it.

Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase. If you do, you will end up standing on shore, looking out at all the other guys who didn't. A man without a boat ain't afloat. Don't pass up the chance to join the nautical fraternity of the mentally irregular. Why envy the lunatics when you can become one? Buy a boat that needs a lot of work...soon!

Jan, direct him to you other post of nearly free boats.

All four of them are now listed for sale in the Glassifieds...good solid collectible boats...without fiberglass issues.

lol i am struggling with the temptation. i keep thinking I should finish the first one and actually get it in the water.

i do check out that page