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We have a 1987 Pearson 31-2. She is a good boat and has treated me very well. She has been suffering from a bad case of oxidation and it makes her sad. So this year, we decided to give her a makeover and make her shine again. I have been learning a lot and I thought I would share that with everyone. Many many thanks to my Jedi Master of boat restoration, Tom D.
Here is a shot after a few hours with the long board sander. We used a 17" "speedfile" with 80 grit. I didn't have the heat gun yet so we just just left the stripes alone.
I look forward to seeing your progress. Our Pearson also went through a topsides makeover and I also did much of it myself under the guidance of a Jedi. 90% prep work. 5 percent pondering and nail biting. 5 percent painting.
Here is a shot of the stern. If you look closely, it appears that someone just slapped some paint on. They didn't even bother to cut in around the exhaust or the bilge. =) This was the only area that was painted. The rest was just heavily oxidized gel coat.
Here is a shot of the decals removed. This took me a while to figure out. I found that the best method was to heat the edge so I could rub it up and grab it. Once I had something to pull, I put the heat gun in my other hand, about 3 feet down and then would pull. It was critical to keep the gun and the edge that far apart at all times because if you get too close the tape melts or breaks. Just keep your arms in the same position and walk along.
I tried so many things lol.. I even tried wet sanding with 100 to no avail. You can actually see the swirls that the wet sanding made in the first picture. The oxidation felt like sandpaper.
I'm glad that the PO of my boat did this before we bought her. With the exception of a few scratches and some chips, her 31 year old gelcoat is smooth as glass now! Looks like a lot of work..will be worth it in the end!
Just did this, boy what a pain in the keester, except my gelcoat was a disaster, and someone painted the boat 10+ years ago (nicely, but it was wore out)...
Then (you'll note I was doing a bottom job too):
Getting better (coat 2).
Again, this gives a good contrast (coat 3):
This is where it stands now... I have some stuff to scrape off of my mess, and the topsides are wet-sanded, ready for the last coat:
and
If you CAN... preserve the gelcoat, sand 80 grit/150/300/compound/polish/wax. Painting stinks squared. I would not recommend painting to my worst enemy... but that's just me.
EDITED for updating for a finished pic:
Kittiwake, if you want it email me and I'll send you the P-31 Logo/Flag graphic. You can take the file to a vinyls shop to cut new vinyl-decals. Email me at davidvincentuy [at] gmail [dot] com.
So.. The port side didnt need any marine tex, so I got that all sanded and ready for paint this past weekend. I hit it with 80 with the speedfile, and then 80, 120 and 180 on the random orbital. I did all this after I filled the holes and cracks on the starboard side. I went down after work yesterday and sanded the marine tex. Most were perfect but 2 needed a lil more love, so I mixed a little more and took care of them. The plan is to do a final marine tex sand tomorrow night. If the weather cooperates, I will try to be ready for primer by the weekend with a plan to paint on the next day that works.
Excuse my ignorance, but would it be possible to put gelcoat over the patches you put on, and thus avoid painting? I know color matching will be a bit of an issue. But otherwise, could it be done?
Here is a shot of the stern with more stuff removed
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