2010-11-12; 15:59:41 EST
Member Since
2002-09-17
Posts: 4946
Carol, Rum Runner was almost twenty years old when I made the decision to repaint instead of the normal buffing and waxing. What you do is your choice, but after ten years it's probably time to repaint her. The bottom anti-fouling and possibly a barrier coat can be easily removed with professional sand blasting without removing the gel coat which protects the fiberglass beneath. The R22 does not have a clear coat finish to the best of my knowledge. Which paint you use is your choice, as well as color, but DuPont has some really good marine finishes these days. I went with yellow and don't regret doing it. Glad to see you are still hanging around the old bar. Last May we were in Key West and consumed massive quantities of Pain Killers. Rummy In a message dated 11/12/2010 2:53:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, CarolN8 at aol.com writes: My Rhodes is now 10 years old. It has (had) a dark blue hull which has now faded and gotten extremely oxidized in the Colorado sun. I have gotten quotes to have it wet-sanded for about $1800. But I just took it to get the bottom acid washed, and the guy there said he can get most of the color back by using chemicals to get the oxidation off and then buffing it down. The stuff I've used in the past to do this hasn't worked as well as whatever he is using. This would cost between $800 and $1100. He did a small area while I was standing there, and it did get a much better color by the time he buffed it. It's still somewhat faded but much better than the rest of the boat. My question is whether to spend more money and go ahead and wet-sand it, or spend less money (but still a significant amount), and do the oxidation removal and buff. The buff and wax guy said it's better not to wet sand it if possible, because it takes off the clear coat and more of the gel coat. I just don't know if that's true or if it's something I should worry about. Does anyone have suggestions as to which way to go on this? Thanks! CarolSee the original archive post