1999 Longhorn Nauique Restoration

[dhmcfadin]

The boat has color!!! Nothing is sanded yet but the color is just beautiful in person. I forgot the tan was actually tan. Lines look great. My favorite part are the edges of the hull. It's like the deck was never put on this boat.

[t.franscioni]

That’s awesome! Did they have to fiberglass in all the old screw holes from the top deck? I’ve been wondering if I would be able to aline everything back up to use the original top deck attachment holes? It seems doable but also like it might be a big pain in the butt to aline everything EXACTLY the same in order to use the original holes when reattaching the top deck.

[SilentSeven]

This thread is epic. Thanks for sharing all the cool stuff you're doing.

[dhmcfadin]

That’s awesome! Did they have to fiberglass in all the old screw holes from the top deck? I’ve been wondering if I would be able to aline everything back up to use the original top deck attachment holes? It seems doable but also like it might be a big pain in the butt to aline everything EXACTLY the same in order to use the original holes when reattaching the top deck.

The entire butting edge of the deck and hull were re-glassed. Inside, fiberglass mat was used. Then the outside holes were was filled with fiberglass filler. It might be worth your time to do this. My deck and hull looked like swiss cheese before.

[t.franscioni]

wait so did they respray the entire outside of the hull with new gel coat? Or was this just the top edge that got worked on and sprayed?

[dhmcfadin]

wait so did they respray the entire outside of the hull with new gel coat? Or was this just the top edge that got worked on and sprayed?

The entire deck and hull from the butting edge down to the chine is resprayed. Zephyr, orange, white. Below the chine, the gelcoat was in great shape due to very little sun exposure. Couple scratches here and there but by the end, it will look just like the top.

[t.franscioni]

Wow that’s a lot of gel coat! I’m surprised at how well the finish looks just straight out of the spray gun without any sanding. Must be the patch aid he uses, I’m ordering a couple gallons of that stuff for sure.

[dhmcfadin]

Wow that’s a lot of gel coat! I’m surprised at how well the finish looks just straight out of the spray gun without any sanding. Must be the patch aid he uses, I’m ordering a couple gallons of that stuff for sure.

They did mix in patch aid! And yes, a lot of white gelcoat was used. Between the deck, interior, and exterior hull, 5 gallons of white was sprayed. Another gallon of white has been ordered for the new floor panels.

[dhmcfadin]

John sent me a couple photos today of some glassy goodness.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Nice! Looks amazing

[t.franscioni]

Was the top deck a complete respray or just touch up where you guys made the repairs and filled the screw holes?

[dhmcfadin]

Was the top deck a complete respray or just touch up where you guys made the repairs and filled the screw holes?

Complete respray inside and out.

[t.franscioni]

What’s it take to get the sprayed gel coat to shine like that? Can you go straight to buffing machine or you still gotta put it the elbow grease to wet sand?

[dhmcfadin]

What’s it take to get the sprayed gel coat to shine like that? Can you go straight to buffing machine or you still gotta put it the elbow grease to wet sand?

Lots and lots and lots and lots of wet sanding. The expensive part of the fiberglass restoration wasnÂ’t the fiberglass repair or spraying of gelcoat. It was the prep and finishing work. Because the gelcoat isnÂ’t pressed up against a mold, it doesnÂ’t dry perfectly flat. It almost has very very subtle orange peel. Gotta sand all that out. He started at 600 and ended at 2000 then polished and buffed.

[t.franscioni]

Darn.... I was hoping the spray gun would eliminate that part haha.... yeah I know prep is a killer I guess I’ll find out how fun the finish work is soon enough on my boat. So pumped on your build man! Looking great.