Do you guys think I could colorsand/buff this back (pic)

[Jeff U.]

Hi guys,
I'm considering the below boat. It's a 1980 and the gel is original. Obviously it needs a little help.
1. Do you guys think the yellow on the side could be rejuvenated?
2. Even if I could bring it back, how what are some color ideas you all would have to have it re-gel coated or painted? Anybody with photoshop skills feel free to have some fun. I added a pic of the interior also, which is in real good shape. probably a color to match the chocolate brown upholstry.
What do you guys think?
Jeff
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/jcumv/100_3188.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/jcumv/100_3194.jpg

[C-2]

I can't help with your question, but I hope the answer is yes, that you'll be able to restore the original.
I love seeing the classics on the lake, it's a nice change :) That looks like a fun project.

[Outnumbered]

No problem as long as the gel is original and has not been sanded too thin already. My 87 Lavey was black/white and was way worse.

[H20MOFO]

I just bought an 83 daytona that I has pretty good luck with a buffer and meguiars make a 3 part boat/rv kit that had a oxidation remover, a polish, and a wax. before I did that I wet sand the entire boat with 2000 grit

[SOCALDETAIL1]

The hull should just buff out. The top decks will prob need to be colorsanded. Hit up RVR SWPR here on the boards I buffed his 79 it looks like the boat pictured, and it came out perfect. Where is the boat? If it's close to me I can swing by and check it out and give you a better idea. Mark

[McIntyrelocal]

Yeah it will colorsand out but your gonna have to buff it every so often because it will keep oxidizing but wounce you color sand it and buff it use a really good wax.

[Outnumbered]

Before colorsand:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754Lavey_before.jpg
After:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754lavey_after2.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754Lavey_after.jpg

[Tom Brown]

If you sand and buff, it will come back brilliantly but, as McIntyrelocal said, it will not stay shiny for very long. In fact, you will notice the shine going off in just a few weeks. That's a lot of work to keep it looking good.
The only permanent solution is to sand the gel and shoot clear over it. I'd go with Kemron clear but there are other options too.

[Outnumbered]

If you sand and buff, it will come back brilliantly but, as McIntyrelocal said, it will not stay shiny for very long. In fact, you will notice the shine going off in just a few weeks. That's a lot of work to keep it looking good.
The only permanent solution is to sand the gel and shoot clear over it. I'd go with Kemron clear but there are other options too.
I dissagree. The two after shots I posted were taken about 2-3 years apart. There was some shine lost on the black, but very little. I had Lavey do the colorsand and they did an outstanding job. I think for the $600 it cost me it was well worth it. Boat was still shining when I sold it.

[DaddyMack]

My 1980 with original Gel...
Buff only - no color sanding..
Before
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/IMG_3641.jpg
After
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/LakePics2007/IMG_3953.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/PowellFest2007/CIMG0664.jpg
I just keep it clean and wax it... end of one season.. it looks great! a few people have seen it on here...

[SOCALDETAIL1]

The way I describe it is the gel is the skin of the boat. The sun damages it also washing it with harsh chemicals damages it the best way to keep it in the best condition is to wax often, wax adds the essential oils to keep the gel from drying out. Some times the gel will come back with a buff sometimes you have to colorsand. Check out my website I have Pussywhippleds Eliminator on there that we had to colorsand. Mark

[Jbb]

Yep....you can buff it ....and it will shine........until you have to buff it again.....Gelcoat......lol...:D

[SOCALDETAIL1]

My 1980 with original Gel...
Buff only - no color sanding..
Before
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/IMG_3641.jpg
After
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/LakePics2007/IMG_3953.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/daddymacklv/PowellFest2007/CIMG0664.jpg
I just keep it clean and wax it... end of one season.. it looks great! a few people have seen it on here...
I just keep it clean and wax it. Thats the SECRET.......

[Outnumbered]

I bought my Lavey as a project. After I fixed it up I waxed it several times per season and stored it uncovered in the garage. That kept the shine up nicely. I never buffed it after the color sand, always hand waxed it.

[slowinhavasu]

Man, that things cool........:D

[DogMan]

Nice lookin boat...that should color sand out real nice I'd bet.

[Ion]

I think you should be able to polish it out with out even color sanding. If it was metalflake it would be another story, but on a solid color like that you should be able to make her look damn near like new! Good luck! :D
I've done a handful of these projects and my personal experience has always been that buffing alone only ends up smearing around the oxidation to different locations. You might be able to get a perfect patch, then end up working on an adjacent area forever, trying to get rid of that annoying haze and swirl marks left in the oxidation.
Start out with some cutting compound and a cutting pad on your buffer. Work on an area on one half of the bow's bodyline, then stop. On the other side, use 1000 grit wet / dry sand it down until there is no trace of oxidation, keep it rinsed throughly. Then hit it with 1200, then rinse. THEN hit it with the cutting compound on your cutting pad and see if there is a difference.

[coolchange]

FIRST, go to your local paint supply (Dunn Edwards) and get a bottle of Penetrol (or flotral I can't remember which is for water based and which is oil based) You want the one for oil based. This is an additive for paint to improve floability and help for spraying in airless sprayers. Clean the boat with this. Do not do more than you can do in 5 minutes at a time adn dont let it dry or you have to recoat. Then wash the boat with a detergent or orange based cleaner to remove the film. Then decide if you want to bother with the sanding etc. Then come back on here and tell me how great it is and that you owe me a beer.
I can't believe I'm letting this secret out.
DO NOT DO THIS ON PAINT GELCOAT ONLY

[77Woodbridge]

Before colorsand:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754Lavey_before.jpg
After:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754lavey_after2.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/2754Lavey_after.jpg
That's purdee :D

[77Woodbridge]

I just keep it clean and wax it. Thats the SECRET.......
That's really good looking too. The neutral colors on your boat weren't ever popping so, no matter what you do, you can really only hope for "wet look".
Great looking boat, but without new gel/paint in a different color...
I can't wait to change my boat's color. Baby blue...:mad:

[SummitKarl]

nice boat Jeff,
looks like a 1980-83 Caribbean. (they are a good boat) with lots of room, and cut through the water well....
That will "BUFF" out NO PROBLEM!!!.....there should be no need to color sand that at all......color sanding should be your last resort...start with a mild off the shelf polish like "Turtle Wax Premium grade polish" that should be more than enough to break the bonds of the "ion loss" I see in that picture..
good luck and nice boat:)

[SummitKarl]

Man, that things cool........:D
I think you should get one:idea:
BTW...I have your refferal fee ready from the last boat buffing;)

[ULTRA26 # 1]

Wow, that sumbitch is in good shape! I think you should be able to polish it out with out even color sanding. If it was metalflake it would be another story, but on a solid color like that you should be able to make her look damn near like new! Good luck! :D
I agree with Bilge. A good hand rub and wax should do it. Beautiful boat

[Rvr Swpr]

The hull should just buff out. The top decks will prob need to be colorsanded. Hit up RVR SWPR here on the boards I buffed his 79 it looks like the boat pictured, and it came out perfect. Where is the boat? If it's close to me I can swing by and check it out and give you a better idea. Mark
Unreal what you did Mark,even the stock wheels look new on the Trailer.The boat has been in the water,a few times,cleans up like you just finished it

[Jeff U.]

Guys, thanks for the positive feedback. I love the classic daycruisers too, but I wasn't crazy about the yellow on this boat, at first. It is kinda growing on me though. I guess if it doesn't buff out, then I can consider new paint scheme's at that point. If I were to go down that road, should I re-gel it or paint it?
Here are some more pics of it.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/jcumv/100_3191.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/jcumv/100_3189.jpg
Thanks,
Jeff

[McIntyrelocal]

Gel is so much harder if your going to do it.but if your not and your will to pay the money i would do it in gel more durible lasts alot longer but its so labor intensive that it is expensive to have done.

[McIntyrelocal]

paint does hold up well.just make sure you use good product with all the right uv protectants in them the heat is a little rough on them but i guess thats depends on where your at?

[Jeff U.]

Bilge,
I've seen pics of your red day cruiser before here on the board. You did a great job on that resto. I can't believe it paint, and not gel. I'm glad to see paint can come out so well. I'm afraid to know what it costs :D

[wolfie]

Paint holds up great if you prep it right and use a high quality automotive urethane.
Here's some pics of my Sleeks, I painted the tunnel 18 years ago, the daycruiser I did about 12 years ago.
They both still look tits. (and haven't been pampered by any stretch of the imagination) :p
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7026/beforeafter02yd0wa6.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4637/beforeafter01jd3eu9.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2412/00sleek01fm8.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9471/aristocratba00qz0.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2339/aristocratba01vv3.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7710/numbsmov7.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3671/image032nn2.jpg
They all look greaat BI. Now all you have to do is get them out on the lake the same time as mine!!!!:D

[SOCALDETAIL1]

Unreal what you did Mark,even the stock wheels look new on the Trailer.The boat has been in the water,a few times,cleans up like you just finished it
Thanks again David, This boat in this thread looks similar to your Sleek Craft, same color. Mark