Bayliner with gel coat gone

[Brocksdad1]

So I picked up this bayliner for a great price but the gel coat is toast. Can I just spray clear coat over it? 
What are my cost effective options?

How about vinyl wraps?

Bryce


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[fishinfranklin]

How does it feel when you rub your hand across it?? It looks like
it may clean up really good. My brother and myself just picked up
a procraft and it looked really bad, dull, white in places. But with
some time and it has really took a different look. I was wanting
to reclear the boat. But we wet sanded and buffed it out to look
good. You can look at the picture in my post in the procraft section.

[Bigwrench]

I inherited a 1990 Ranger 330V that survived 3-4 winters in Wisconsin uncovered or barely covered

  Schlich and I completely restored it   The top cap was yellowed in places

  It was so bad you could run your hand over the surface and get fiberglass slivers and flake would be on your hand.

We wet sanded and buffed on that thing for several months 

It turned out fantastic  and I still miss it ! It's a very rewarding process and takes patience but it can be done
  Yours doesn't look anywhere near as bad and I'd bet you could have it looking showroom condition in a weekend for $350 or less which includes price  of a great electric buffer , sandpaper , compounds and wax   Bring it down, I'd love to get my hands on that finish
 

[Brocksdad1]

Well it's really rough to the touch. Like sand paper.  Faded deep on some spots. Ill try some of these technique

Thanks.

Bryce

[DarthVenom]

Follow BigWrenc's advice. Wait untilI post my before & after photo's of my 86 Shadow. It was in the condition yours is in from being uncovered down here in Florida! It really does work. Wer=t sand with 1,500 to 2,000 grit, then get some good marine compund and a good buffer & when done you won't believe your eyes!

[Brocksdad1]

Well got the boat cleaned up tonight. Steamed the carpet of all the mold. 
The bottom floor is a loss. Rotted out. Decks are great. Seats junk.
Haven't even messed with the 140.
Have to drain the fuel tank.


Bryce

[Brocksdad1]

I didn't get all the mold gone it was dark outside at the steamer dock.

But it's an improvement over the trees in the bottom and leaves ect ect

Bryce

[Makaira76]

Awesome looking boat. The gel coat is there for the purpose protecting the resin and glass fibers from the harmful UV rays. Try wet sanding and buffing it out first. You be surprise how it will turn out (if the maker spray a thick gel coat before laying the glass down). Worst case you have to respray the boat of catalyzed gel coat again and that may cost more than what the boat is worth, unless you want to tackle the job yourself.

I would love to see the work in progress. Please post some more pictures. 

[fishinfranklin]

Looks great!!!! it cleaned up nice and I would now try to buff it without sanding. just use a heavy compound and a good wool pad and if that don't get it then I would sand it then rebuff it.

[Brocksdad1]

Ok so I'm wondering about the wood in the bottom.
Where can I get the plywood for this restoration? Does it need to be marine grade? Or will grade A do? Ill be pulling out the decks this week with picks to come. Also should I start a new thread? Bayliner restoration ?

Thanks.

Bryce

[fishinfranklin]

I would use marine grade plywood 3/4"

[basscat1]

As for your gel coat wet sanding and use our Nu Paint Moisturizer when buffing. It is formulated to restore the oils in your gel coat. Then seal it with Pro Tec Sealant Polish. We have had tremendous success with this process. There are some pictures on this forum of boats done this way. If you have any questions feel free to call. As for the floor marine grade is probably best.

[Brocksdad1]

Thanks guys.

Can marine grade be purchased at any hardware store or does it have to be purchased at a marina?

Thanks

Bryce

[Bigwrench]

Bryce,
  Schlich and I replaced the deck and carpet on her dads pontoon several years ago (2007) We wanted to use marine grade plywood but there was a minimum order and the price was just too much so we used treated . We also painted the bottom face (surface that faced the water )  with oil based paint, sealed all the edges and silicone the joints before laying the carpet and reinstalling the furniture, helm & railings. Not sure if this would be feasible on a glass boat but might be an option to consider

[Brocksdad1]

Bryce,
  Schlich and I replaced the deck and carpet on her dads pontoon several years ago (2007) We wanted to use marine grade plywood but there was a minimum order and the price was just too much so we used treated . We also painted the bottom face (surface that faced the water )  with oil based paint, sealed all the edges and silicone the joints before laying the carpet and reinstalling the furniture, helm & railings. Not sure if this would be feasible on a glass boat but might be an option to consider

I'm only replacing the bottom floor. And I keep my boats inside or undercover unless being used. So I think 3/4 treated painted maybe both sides will do just fine. I need to keep the budget down low on this boat. I Baught it for a song, I want to fix it this fall, use it this spring and turn it this summer and use  the the money towards a nice Skeeter.

I'm not even sure what I'm going to have to do to the motor here yet. I have to get the tank out and flush it. Get the oil tank out and replace that oil. New plugs, wires ect, ect..,,,.. 

Has a stainless prop

Bryce

[Brocksdad1]

We got my garage cleaned up last night. Hopefully going to start pulling decks tomorrow evening. I'm looking for some long trim for a rod locker. I'm going to lengthen the other side of the front deck. One side has a locker the other side has a recess for a seat to stow away.

Ill post pics of progress

Bryce

[Deadeye]

I had that same model boat at one time. I thought about doing the same as you and eliminate the front seat position and make the deck longer, but never did. One thing I can tell you is that that boat is heavy, at least mine was. I bought mine and it looked great but within a few years the entire floor and deck went. Found out the previous owner had just recovered the bad wood with 1/4" sub-flooring and put new carpet on to make it look good then sold it.

Then the motor blew and it just wasn't worth fixing anymore so I got rid of it. I worked with a guy that used to build boats and he told me that Bayliner in the 1980's was famous for just spraying gelcoat over wood to make it look like fiberglass. So while your re-doing the floor check the stringers as they are wood and most likely rotted as well. The transom is wood covered in glass as well, so check it out good too. Pretty much the whole interior (decks, storage areas, frames) are wood so while your looking look good. Good Luck with it.

[fishinfranklin]

Deadeye is correct about Bayliners being heavy and most had the wood glassed to the backside of the top cap,,so cant say without looking at the boat but you may have to remove the top cap, and another thing you may want to consider is to use fiber board that will not rott in place of the wood.

[Brocksdad1]

Well good thing is I'm buying this boat from a guy at my church for 1000.00.  Motor is suppose to run great. ? Lol. Anyway I told him and he agreed if I have to rebuild everything the price drops.  If the boat is not worth rebuilding ill buy the motor if its in good condition for a lesser price with controls and junk the boat. Anyway I'm ahead and in good shape.

But I really appreciate all the advice and things to watch for.  I will heed the warnings.

Bryce

[Deadeye]

Hey man your welcome and best of luck with it and yours might not be as bad as mine turned out to be. I did like the two livewells on it, they were fairly good sized and would hold a decent amount of fish easy.

It was only my 2nd boat and my first was just a small 12 ft dingy, so it was a great boat to me at the start. Looking back I could have rebuilt the whole thing but the cost to do it and it needed a new trailer too would of made it a no brainer to get rid of like I did.

Like I said it was heavy with a 125 Force the best I got out of it was 35 mph.

[Bigwrench]

Looking forward to your progress reports either way !

[Brocksdad1]

Well I've been covered up at work. I work as a field service tech for Case construction.

So no progress yet.

Bryce

[Brocksdad1]

PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so my other son Jacob came over tonight and we got all the decks out. The part of the floor that is bad is we're the driver seat and pass seat is. Pics tell the tale. I have a plan,,,, I think lol but time and money will lead the way.

I'm going 3/4 treated plywood painted both sides.

Here are some pics

[Brocksdad1]

More

Bonus
I didn't know if any electronics worked on the boat, or it the motor was locked up or not.
Dash lights work
Power tilt work and motor cranks

[Bassinkorea]

Looks like it's going to be a fun project. I will be following you progress.

Good luck with it.