Gel-Coat disaster

js6044

New Member
May 18, 2018
7
Cullman, AL
Boat Info
270 Sundancer 1995
Engines
454 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
Hello all.

I bought a 95 270 last year and made the huge mistake of taking it to be gel-coated to someone that had no idea what they are doing. Basically this company lied and said they have done this before and really their experience was in automobile body work. So, as you can imagine my boat is a mess and I am trying to repair / restore it.

what I know:
-The guy removed the rub rail (all the way around). From my research, it is best to just replace this verses trying to reinstall the original?

-Masked most chrome pieces (I'm talking all the railing, all the cleats, etc). I have got most of this off using a pressure washer (it was baked on) but alot of the adhesive still remains).
Any advice on removing the residue? tools / techniques?

- it appears he tried to fix spiderweb cracks and dings using body filler (Bondo). I have read this is waterproof and can be used to repair gel-coat. is this true?

It seems this "expert" also sprayed paint over the original gel-coat on one side.

What are my best options to get this repaired?

Please see photos and offer any advice. I would greatly appreciate it.

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Thank you for any advice advance.


**Also if anyone knows of any good reputable company that could fix this mess, please recommend. **
 
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WOW What a mess. :(

I can only weight in on the rub rail. There is some new rub rail on the market that looks great and looks like it is easy to work with. Just watched a episode of Ship Shape TV where they removed the old, prepped the area, and installed new.

In looking at your pictures...... re-installation of the rub rail is the least of your worries.

Keep us updated on what you do. Lawyer involved yet?

 
Thank you for your reply. I will definitely check that out.
 
Wow is a bit of an understatement, I wouldn't want that guy touching my bicycle, let alone my car or boat.

Solvents will fix the masking tape residue. mineral spirits, maybe the old standard goop-off. test areas first.

But I wouldn't fix it before getting my insurance company and a lawyer involved. The business should have insurance as well,

Let us know how this turns out.
 
The business has since "disappeared". I have already explored avenues of legal action, and none seem to be cost beneficial to me.

I am just trying to fix the problems at this point.

thank you for your reply.
 
Wow. WTF. As above, any commercial adhesive remover and a lot of elbow grease will work on the masking job. It might be easier to remove all the hardware and dip it in the solvent.

I would say "no" on the bondo -- so grind that out and use something for boats.

So why did you need gel coat work? Was it a few dings and such? Or was the whole boat faded? At this point, I would consider a good topside paint job. Probably your best bet after you get everything cleaned up. Good luck.
 
yes, the whole boat was faded, had dings and chalky. It also had some spiderweb cracking at stress points. This is my first fiberglass boat and took advice from people I shouldn't have..

thank you for your reply.
 
I don't know where you are located, but on our 320, we had damage on the bow following a storm. Estimates were in the $20,000 range to repair/replace the gel-coat. (We instead had the hull painted with Awl-grip for $17,000) paid for by our insurance co. Your problem looks bigger than ours was. We had a reputable boat yard do the repairs/painting. We used Rappahannock Yachts if you are on the east coast. Bruce is awesome, and Mac (the painter) is truly a craftsman. Good luck. I'd call my ins. co. and let them go after the company, or lawyer up, or even the police for damage to personal property. Good luck with this one. Keep us posted. Hopefully someone with better DIY knowledge can point you in the right direction if you are going to try to fix it yourself.
 
Yikes. Start working that masking tape mess first. Gloves and solvents....you may try hitting it with a little heat (heat gun) to see if it will release the paper from the glue. The longer it is exposed to outdoors, the harder it is to remove.

After its clean, you may have a fighting chance of somebody else to pickup the job....maybe they can remove the body filler. I highly doubt the surface was properly prepped.
 
Thank you for the reply. I added my Location (Alabama).

I may come out better just taking a loss and selling the boat for the cost of the trailer, engine and out-drive and getting something else then ? I paid 17k for the boat last year..
 
Thank you for the reply. I added my Location (Alabama).

I may come out better just taking a loss and selling the boat for the cost of the trailer, engine and out-drive and getting something else then ? I paid 17k for the boat last year..

Could always contact Erwin Marine in Huntsville AL and see if they have anyone that can help fix'er up.
 
Thank you for the reply. I added my Location (Alabama).

I may come out better just taking a loss and selling the boat for the cost of the trailer, engine and out-drive and getting something else then ? I paid 17k for the boat last year..
It's a mess, but not a lost cause. It's a lot of prep work -- removing that god awful tape and bondo. Then research roll and tip painting. Here's a quick video.
 
Could always contact Erwin Marine in Huntsville AL and see if they have anyone that can help fix'er up.
YIKES, that's where I bought my boat..... They're transport guy SUCKS,( Mark Profit) don't know about there service dept
 
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Mark Profit also owns a marina in the area, YES I hope he's reading this!!!
 
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That's unfortunate. The guys in Chattanooga are pretty good. Been dealing with them for years.
Mark Profit had his crew of monkeys transported my boat (teardown and reassemble), now I have no electronics working, GPS, Radar, Autopilot...….., the guys told my wife when she asked if they tested everything, they told her no, we've never had a problem...… Boy I'd like to DOT both of Mark Profits eyeballs!!!
 
Mark Profit had his crew of monkeys transported my boat (teardown and reassemble), now I have no electronics working, GPS, Radar, Autopilot...….., the guys told my wife when she asked if they tested everything, they told her no, we've never had a problem...… Boy I'd like to DOT both of Mark Profits eyeballs!!!

That was the fear when I moved and disassembled mine. My hauler did not do mine. All he did was move the boat. Ex-MM Service Mgr did the breakdown and a shop here on the lake put it back together. All electronics were unplug/plug except for the auto fire extinguisher. That wire had to be cut and spliced. I was lucky...not one issue...

Bennett
 
Was this company an auto body shop or a marine yard? There are no cheap solutions in boating especially. If you didn’t see boats on their property only cars then it’s your bad and I doubt legal action will turn in your favor. This is a buyer-beware transaction.

If the company is gone as you say then you probably didn’t do your due diligence on them adequately.

You should determine what your boat is worth in part-out and as-is before you spend another nickel that isn’t glue remover.

Then get an estimate to paint the boat from a reputable marine yard.

I think you’re selling it. My estimate puts you over $20 large to get it done right, and easily over $25k if there is glass work.
 

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