Old Searider console repairs -Paint or Gelcoat?

dctucker · 16 December 2006, 14:51

I've derigged the old Merc from my Searider, in preparation for repowering in the next week or two. I have/will finish patching up some guage holes in the console which won't be used. I want to refinish the console top to improve the cosmetics. Also the interior of the transom where I've epoxied the holes from now two engines...

Part of me wants to take the time and effort to sand, spray and sand gelcoat. Part of me wants to just quickly sand and spray some enamal paint on. Spray paint: >$10.00 and maybe an hour. Spraying gelcoat: $50? $60? 4-5 hours easily, possibly more. I've done plenty of structural glass work, but never gelcoat... might be a good opportunity to learn.

Boat is ex-mil (USCG), tubes are great, but cosmetically the hull is nothing special. Not bad for a 13 year old boat but hardly pristine, and that's okay! I've never even bothered to buff or wax the exterior. I'm not interested in doing a full restoration, just sprucing up a bit.

Which would you do?

Typing this, I think I just convinced myself to paint!

Tomas · 16 December 2006, 19:46

Tucker,

I've got a nine year old 4.7 Searider. I recently painted a Mitusibushi Montero with lacquer in my driveway....after having bondo'd rust holes in the roof. Were it mine I'd go for the highest quality finish on the works. Labor (your own) is cheap. Materials are not out of sight and the delivery system...Chinese compressor..gun....etc are reasonable.

You have a fine boat there, give her good cosmetics.

Send a phot when you're done.

Go for it!

Tomas

matt h · 16 December 2006, 21:45

am in th process of completing my sea rider rebuild, i rubbed down the whole in side (with a wire wheel on a 4.5 inch grinder and re applied some Flow coat, hopefully shows the results, really pleased with the outcome,im keeping it original see how that goes for the time being ,

matt h · 16 December 2006, 22:06

more piccies!! had new rubbing strake and military spec grab handles done at Henshaws in Wincanton, Somerset, really pleased with the result, leaving the flowcoat to dry for a few weeks ,then it will all go back together!! will post another when it all complete,

dctucker · 16 December 2006, 22:34

Matt, very nice!

While stripping all the accessories on the console top, I realized that it was previously painted. It had always seemed a bit odd that the color match to the rest of the console and hull was a bit off. Rather than try to strip all the previous paint off, it's being repainted for sure. Went and bought the spray can already! I'm going to fill the holes and fair it first though.

Perhaps another time, I'll do a complete rehab on the hull, but not now. New E-TEC is the big gift to the boat for now. It needs to be rolling 1,000 miles to Florida on 10 January!