Restoration 1991 SN

[ABEL]

Last winter my family purchased a 1991 Ski Nautique closed bow in mediocre condition. We were able to do a little restoration before the summer months hit but not as much as we would have liked. Our first attempt at wet sanding produced excellent results but since seeing more pictures of others boats i am sure we can make it that gel coat shine. I am curious to what others have done and what sequence of sandpaper grits works the best. Also we are in the process of building a stereo for it, already have a deck and the four original speakers replaced but now its time for a sub and an amp and im looking for input on what type of box to build and amp mounting locations.

[jaybird]

RE: Restoration 1991 SN

What you are doing all depends on the amount of oxidation and dead gel coat you must remove. Sometimes the sanding step can be skipped.

Wet sand 1000-2000 grit with orbital sander then use 3M Machine rubbing compound with rotary power buffer, not orbital buffer as they are not aggressive enough. A power buffer is like a right angle grinder but runs about 700 RPMS. Buffing head are readily available at auto body supply stores. With the 3M machine rubbing compound keep the buffer head moving until the area with the compound dries out to a high gloss. It is very messy as the compound starts out wet and as the heat and friction from the power buffer dries it out you will get a very high gloss finish. This is really an art form and if you don’t have any success talk to a body man who knows how to use machine rubbing compound. If you are after a high factory gloss you will never achieve it by hand and it may talk some outside help. Be careful on corners as you can end up removing the gel coat layer down to the bare glass with either the sanding step or the compounding step. You must remember if you are on a corner the pressure per unit area is increased 50 to 100 times and will quickly remove more than is desired. Care must be taken not to stay to long on the same spot creating excessive heat that could damage the gel coat, keep the buffer head moving. Take your time and try a small obscure area if you are new to this.

[ABEL]

RE: Restoration 1991 SN

yeah last winter we only did the whole hull by hand, it was only yellowed slightly from sittin at the previous owners dock all summer, and by hand we brought back a lot of the original shine but i was too cautious to use a power buffer, but if thats what needs to be done then we will give it a go.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

RE: Restoration 1991 SN

I'm doing my 89 right now. I'm using wet sanding with 1000 grit, then using rubbing compound, applied by hand and buffed with a rotary. I then went back with 3M Marine Cleaner wax for oxidization and did the same.

[jaybird]

RE: Restoration 1991 SN

Yes you can put the compound on by hand and they buff it out will a power rotary buffer. I have found I get a better gloss when I buff the compound while it is still wet and keep the buffer going unitl its dry. Makes a mess but what a great shine!

[Rlbol]

I just finished my 92 SN wet sanding (800,1000,2000 grit) then used he meguires gel coat restoration kit. It came out very good. It was very badly oxidized! It is a lot of work but it is amazing how much better it is. I wouldn't recommend the meguries kit. Go and spend the money and get good 3M products. In my option they are much better and a professional product. I will try and post before and after pictures.

I am going to install a stereo as well. where are you going to mount the head unit? I am trying to figure that out. I cant deiced weather to mount it in a case in the glove box or just cut it in there. I plan on mounting a remote in front of the throttle so the glove box seems like the best place to mount the head unit. I have also been thinking about a sub. I think you should be able to mount one or two in the inclosure up front where the cables are run in to the bilge? has anyone tried this? it should also be a good place to get them out of harms way.

[ABEL]

yeah my plan is to leave the head unit in the glovebox and just run a remote to exactly wehre you are talking about, i am only planning on one 12 inch sub up in the bow considering i would like to still have some storage and the shape of the bow has to act like a giant fiberglass resonator for your bass. the wiring i have no decided how i am going to do yet, but i am in the process of making a box that fits perfectly up into the very front of the closed bow, its turning out to be a challenge though

[Rlbol]

well please keep us posted on how it works out!

[ABEL]

yeah i will try to get some pictures up soon!