Faded gelcoat restoration

I assume this is a common question...

Considering a sport nautique that has clearly been neglected, and stored outdoors under a tarp for a year or two. Here's a picture of the gelcoat... it looks totally faded/scratched.

I had an old boat that had red gel, that was in similar condition. I spent a TON of time and effort wet sanding and buffing, and never was able to get it looking good. Ultimately, I painted it (wasn't worth trying to do new gelcoat).

Question is, do you think this is salvageable? Does wet sanding typically do the job on these boats? Or is this a lost cause and would need a full gelcoat restoration?

throttle out wrote: The picture is real vague but a good rule of thumb I like to use is get it wet and observe. What it looks like wet is a good indicator of what you can expect out of a gelcoat resto.

Yeah it's all I have, the seller sent me the photo.

The wet and observe thing is interesting, but on my old boat (which was a wellcraft), the red gel looked great when wet, but I never was able to restore it with wetsanding... immediately faded again.

My boat prior to resto

After resto
It can be done. knowing the process and following it strictly will get er done every time!

Lots of work for sure

I saw that same boat it’s roached out lots of work

I did not see it in person emailed for more pictures that’s all I needed.
It looks to be a 99 sport as stated in the ad

Not sure why I need to convince you it says ClaytorLake

https://blacksburg.craigslist.org/boa/d/1999-sport-nautique/6583915541.html

Here’s a nice boat for the money and I can vouch for the condition being excellent

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forsale/details.asp?ID=9793&sort=&pagenum=2

DockDoc Could you really tell from the pictures? [/QUOTE wrote: Notice two shadows and water ring reflection

Notice two shadows and water ring reflection

I restored a 97 Ski last year which is a similar colour. Gelcoat was pretty faded and came up really well using techniques and materials suggested by fellow members on the forum.

gun-driver wrote: I saw that same boat it’s roached out lots of work

I never said it couldn't be restored I said it would be a lot of work and for the money it's listed for that's crazy.

Here's my '85 going under transformation


New graphics

Gary S wrote: Trouble is if he's starting off at 11900 your not going to be able to get it down enough to make it worthwhile IMOH. Dash looks a mess,interior replacement eats up money fast

Probably right. Boat's too far away for me to easily go look at anyway. And I don't have a sweet shop setup like you to do this kind of work.

Agreed. At that price, it's too much work.

I only paid $3000 for my 97 due to the amount of work it needed. Also had 1800 hours on it so rebuilt the engine as a precaution (though it was in impressively good condition when inspected) . The fact that it had a decent trailer, PP and a brand new transmission sealed it.   

I don't fancy repeating all that sanding & buffing though.

Don't give up as long as you're willing to do the work.
Throw a number at him, most he can say is no and sit on the boat for another year.

Some mail box is missing its numbers.

Doc,
I live up Hwy 16 ( North or Charlotte) in Denver, NC at Lake Norman, There is a boat dealer on Hwy 16 business , downtown Denver, that has a 1993 or so Sport Nautique with potential. It looks a lot better than what you are looking at in this thread. I stopped today to take some photo's and I will post them here for your review. The dealer is as follows:

KTR Motorsports, Inc. 3840 Hwy 16 Business, Denver, NC 28037. 828=312=1743.

They also have a early 70's Ski Tique for over one year. I walked up to a fence and snapped a few photos. I do not know anything about the boat or the price. However, it reminded me of Randy in Ohio who use to hang out on this site and attended some CCFAN events. I always loved his boat. He now hangs out at Winnebago Fan.com . Randy's ex wife was scared to death of bear attack at the Green Lake WS events. Too funny.