bass boat restoration

[Chefdave]

Hey guys, I just thought you guys with that hazy oxidized look on your boats might like to read this,
I have an 89 201 pro, the cap looked pretty rough, real hazy. I put up a post asking about clear coating and how to do it. 90 skeeter, ctfshwhskr and onemorecast56 all answered with some helpful hints which really helped me move in the right direction. Anyway, after a lot of research, I decided to take it on, and WOW! what a sweet deal! If this cap looked any better in 89 I don't know how. Anyway thanks again guys, and here is what I ended up doing.

1. Pulled all hand rails, windshields, and all other stuff I could that I thought would get in the way.
2. masked all stickers on the cap and the rub rail to protect it from the buffer.
3. Wet sanded the cap with 1500 grit sandpaper making sure to go back and fourth (No swirling)
4. Followed up with 2000 grit wet sand
5. Buffed it out with 3M Perfect-it III, On this You have to use a real buffer at about 1200 rpms. The little orbital waxers won't work (They don't build enough heat)
6. Cleaned the boat real well and waxed with meguires boat wax.
NOTE: If you can feel the flake on your cap, Don't try this, it's too far gone.
anyway, that's it.
Hope I didn't bore everyone, but I just thought someone else out there may find this info useful.
Chefdave

[90skeeter]

yeah i have found some helpful stuff on that site i have given ya because i got a clear coat problem as well just havent gotten to start on it ,been building a new deck and new carpet and its a handful with how the weather comes and goes.my coat is chipping off and some of it you can just flick with your finger nail will come off but some isnt so easy .

[Chefdave]

Dang, that sounds like a pain. Mine wasn't to that point. Just looking hazy and all. If there is anything you need let me know.

[90skeeter]

yeah more then likely its gonna be next years project since the deck took me most of this time off too do .

[Chefdave]

I'd like to see some pics of your deck, I've done several including my own. The deck is massive!

[dudeare]

What is best way to do a small section not the complete boat?
I have a 93 NITRO blue in color that has a small area about 4 inches high and 20 inches accross.Made by a wooden dock.
It's just white looking.Small scratches.
THANKS DUDE

[90skeeter]

yeah it made the deck a little over 3 foot longer but when i get some pics i will send ya some ,the carpet is still waiting too get put on waiting on a nice day and my butt too get in gear .but if ya want you can give me your email and i will send ya some i dont have any befores ,wasnt thinking

[Chefdave]

I'ts [email protected] I'll send you some pics of my stratos with the deck extension, and all

[90skeeter]

sounds like a plan,mine is [email protected]

[Devils Horse]

Hey Dave, glad to see you got that raggedy old Stratos into some semblance of presentabilty. When you get those deck plans drawn up, I'll be expecting a copy.

[Chefdave]

Hey Jim,
Haven't heard from you in a while. I'll take some picks of the extension tonight. I think that is probably all you will need talk to you soon
Dave

[Chefdave]

I would think the same process would work, or at least make it look a little better. Just be sure to wet sand by hand and constantly feel for a very smooth surface. Also, make sure you don't sand too much off, you don't want to get into the flake at all. Clean it first, wet sand with 1500 a bit, clean and feel for smooth surface and if necessary sand a bit more. Finish with 2000 also wet, then buff with 3m perfect-it III. I'm not a pro at this at all, and you may need to feather the sanded ares into the unsanded, I just don't know, when I went to do mine, it was real hard to put that sandpaper to it at first, then I figured how much worse could it be. I'm glad it turned out, maybe you could have someone look at it just to see if it can be buffed out. I'd hate for you to not get the results you were hoping for, and me be the guy that told you to do it!
Good luck,Chefdave