Gel Coat Painting

gklehner · 06-02-2011, 02:04 PM

I'm back to the well of knowledge for my '97 gulf stream class C restoration project.
The once white gelcoat over the fiberglass exterior is now an aged off-white yellowed color with cracked pinstripping. Tried buffing with a polishing compound but looks like re-painting will be the only fix. I was thinking of using an acrylic enamel (sprayed on). Also any advice on removal of the old pin stripping?
Basically I need help on what type of paint has been successful for the backyard restore. I'm in no hurry, planning on doing it in sections as time and the old body allows!

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!!

Many Thanks,

Greg, Karen and the kids (Choc. Lab and Golden).

doc · 06-02-2011, 03:23 PM

Heat gun and plastic putty knife to remove the decals. Don't overheat. Emron paint - high dollar but good stuff. We painted our planes with it.

Senior Chief · 06-02-2011, 03:37 PM

Interlux Brightside marine topside paint. It's a tough glossy polyurethane, and many backyard restorers swear by it.

Ditto the scraper for the decals, but I would use a hair dryer rather than a heat gun. MEK or acetone to clean up the adhesive.

RedMax Pro #3 to restore the gloss to the gelcoat you don't paint.

JBDISCOVERY · 06-02-2011, 05:09 PM

Greg, if you are ok with using a spray paint gun, then the modern automotive paints are good to use. The cost is reasonable. Proper preparation with a primer, followed with a base color coat, and then a two part clear coat will give a long lasting, beautiful job. Done it myself and quite proud of it.
JB

hwy49rver · 06-03-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Interlux Brightside marine topside paint. It's a tough glossy polyurethane, and many backyard restorers swear by it.

Ditto the scraper for the decals, but I would use a hair dryer rather than a heat gun. MEK or acetone to clean up the adhesive.

RedMax Pro #3 to restore the gloss to the gelcoat you don't paint.

Where do I find the RedMaxPro#3? Who makes it? How hard is it to use? My gel coat is faded also.

Thanks

hwy49rver

Trunorth · 06-03-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklehner

I'm back to the well of knowledge for my '97 gulf stream class C restoration project.
The once white gelcoat over the fiberglass exterior is now an aged off-white yellowed color with cracked pinstripping. Tried buffing with a polishing compound but looks like re-painting will be the only fix. I was thinking of using an acrylic enamel (sprayed on). Also any advice on removal of the old pin stripping?
Basically I need help on what type of paint has been successful for the backyard restore. I'm in no hurry, planning on doing it in sections as time and the old body allows!

Any and all input will be greatly appreciated!!

Many Thanks,

Greg, Karen and the kids (Choc. Lab and Golden).

Hi Greg, I used Vertglas with great results and I can tell you my rv was so faded and the stripes were so cracked it was unbelievable !! I filled the stripes with a close matching felt pen and then gel coat and it looks like new!,,

Senior Chief · 06-04-2011, 07:43 AM

Red Max Pro #3 is available at Lowe's for about $15 a gallon. It is a floor finish that you just wipe on- no buffing or polishing. Ultra fast and easy. Refresh the finish once a year with one new wipe-on coat. Doesn't yellow or peel; mud and bugs wash right off.

The protocol is to clean your MH thoroughly with Barkeepers Friend, (a powdered cleanser available at Walmart or the dollar store) and a white scrubbie, followed by a soapy wash and rinse to remove all the BKF.
Using a microfiber or chamois, wipe on a thin, damp coat (the Red Max is thin like water) wiping up any runs. It dries fast.
It normally takes 3-4 coats; the first coat will look terrible and you'll say "why did I ever start this??" but by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, you'll start grinning.
The gloss is amazing, and it lasts and lasts and THEN you'll say "why didn't I do this years ago?!".

Here's a link to a long-running thread about Red Max Pro with lots of shiny pix here

Senior Chief · 06-04-2011, 07:45 AM

Oh, and a gallon of Red Max Pro #3 will do your whole MH plus leave some for extra coats over the next few years.

Romer1 · 06-04-2011, 04:05 PM

Here's a before/after of my 94 Winnebago Adventurer

http://i52.tinypic.com/bg43fm.jpg

gklehner · 06-11-2011, 12:21 PM

Many thanks to all for the great advice and information!
The Interlux paint seems a good choice to fit my situation (time, space, application method). It appears that much of my "yellowing" issue wais too much wax and not enough cleaning performed in the past. In the interim (while I slowly scrape off the pin-stripping) will try the BKF and a light wax so we don't look to much like the RV relatives in the movie "Christmas Vacation"!!

Vegasdan · 06-12-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Red Max Pro #3 is available at Lowe's for about $15 a gallon. It is a floor finish that you just wipe on- no buffing or polishing. Ultra fast and easy. Refresh the finish once a year with one new wipe-on coat. Doesn't yellow or peel; mud and bugs wash right off.

The protocol is to clean your MH thoroughly with Barkeepers Friend, (a powdered cleanser available at Walmart or the dollar store) and a white scrubbie, followed by a soapy wash and rinse to remove all the BKF.
Using a microfiber or chamois, wipe on a thin, damp coat (the Red Max is thin like water) wiping up any runs. It dries fast.
It normally takes 3-4 coats; the first coat will look terrible and you'll say "why did I ever start this??" but by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, you'll start grinning.
The gloss is amazing, and it lasts and lasts and THEN you'll say "why didn't I do this years ago?!".

Here's a link to a long-running thread about Red Max Pro with lots of shiny pix here

Can you apply this over the "decals" and is there any effect on them?

Senior Chief · 06-12-2011, 08:14 AM

The collective wisdom is yes, you can apply Red Max Pro #3 over virtually anything with no issues. I believe everyone who does it necessarily applies it right over their decals, and I've never heard of any problems.

It pretty much entombs everything, including bugs and dirt if you're not careful!

In fact, I'm still waiting to hear the first negative comment about Red Max Pro from someone who has actually used it.

gklehner · 11-01-2011, 05:24 PM

After all these months, finally got around to painting. Based on the review by the marine folks, ended up using rustoleum top side, sprayed on. 3 coats and very happy with the finish. Especially since it is a backyard special. So many hours of prep work compared to the actual painting!

vtwinwilly · 11-03-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklehner

After all these months, finally got around to painting. Based on the review by the marine folks, ended up using rustoleum top side, sprayed on. 3 coats and very happy with the finish. Especially since it is a backyard special. So many hours of prep work compared to the actual painting!

I assume you used some sort of spray gun. Can you elaborate? Did you do a top coat/clear coat?

BTW... Looks Great!