Trim is very faded

K

kcohen4

New member
My 2004 16 cruiser I guess has seen too much sun over its lifetime. I think it is beyond compound and waxing. I was thinking of having it painted. Their is a shop here with a larger spray booth for boat painting. Any thoughts on this? What questions should I ask the shop?
 
I would do a wetsand and compound and buff before painting it. My boat was really bad also but looks good as new now. It is a lot of work. I spent a couple days on it. If you are not physically up for it or don't have the tools I would imagine that a good boat detail shop would handle it and still be a lot less money than painting.
 
The trim will have to be sanded before painting anyway--so do a small amount with wet sanding. Get 1000 grit wet and dry, then using 1/4 sheet folded over a sanding block, keep dipping the sand paper (block) in a bucket of clean water, and see how it does. If working then go to 1500 grit and 2000 grit, then go to cutting compounds, and polishing compound. You should be able to restore it if not wet sanded before.

If you are going to have it painted, go with Awlgrip--Imron can also be used. Do not use car paint! The two part LP paints are not cheap to spray--and the technician has to be a perfectionist. You want to have any blemishes on the hull filled, sanded and faired before you try paint.

The wet sanding would be cheaper--once it has been sanded, keep it waxed. Not hard to keep up--but if it runs down, then it will will be harder to get another good job out of the gel coat.
 
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