Oxidation On Bass Boat

[jay bird]

Sorry if this is the wrong location, but was just looking for advice to improve the looks of a bass boat I just bought. Has a fair amount of oxidation and was trying to get a glossy look on it. It is a 1992 Champion 190sc red flake. Just looking for techniques, products, etc. Thanks in advance Jason.

[Quillback]

Here's a thread from another board - looks like a labor intensive project:

http://www.bbcboards.net/bassboat-restoration/317778-need-info-oxidizing-gel-coat.html

[fishinwrench]

Usually the sun beating on the flake will have clouded the clear-coat..... there's not much you can do.

If you just want it to look good for a few days you can clean it up real good and do a 3-part wax job, but the first time you take it out the cloudiness will come rigjt back.

Enjoy your FISHING boat..... who gives a rats butt how sparkly it is. Those Champions are the best!

[Flysmallie]

I've cleaned up some old boats before. If you have access to a buffer it can be done. Depending on how bad the oxidation is you might get mixed results. But I've taken on that was in pretty bad shape and made it look a lot better. It is labor intensive though.

[motoman]

My old 86 Basscat was heavily clouded when I got it; and a goodly amount of wet sanding and buffing got it to shine again.

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Before getting too intimidated; try a few of the worse spots by hand first; to see if you want to bother getting into it with the buffer.

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3M has some good fiberglass specific compounds that are very user friendly. Pretty common stuff most boat dealers carry. Just find a bottle and put some in a clean rag; then fire up your elbow, shoulder and back and get to rubbing in a circular motion. After a few minutes your arm should start begging for mercy, that's a good time to stop, wipe, then wash all the compound off the spot you tried and put some wax on it in the same procedure. You might be pleasantly surprised!

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If you like the results on the several spots you tried; then take the buffer route. It goes much faster that way. But the ole buffer will cut deep, quick. Just be careful........and keep us posted!

[Dutch]

Usually the cloudiness comes right back but if there is anything that can stop or slow it down I think it would be Bow to Stern. If you try it put on a coat, wait a day and put on another one. Then do a third one. It takes 3 coats for it to really do its job.

[jay bird]

Thanks guys worked on it yesterday and it did get better, but think that some wet sanding is going to be in my future. Does any one know where you can get old parts for champions, stickers, electric consoles, etc. Also what does every one use for touch up paint on their bass boats. This boat has some potential to look nice with some work which I am willing to do, at least until the fishing starts to get really good.

[Dutch]

Call the factory in TN. I'm sure that they still have some stuff around. I called for some replacement decals for my boat a few years back and they had them in stock.

[fishinwrench]

Call the factory in TN. I'm sure that they still have some stuff around. I called for some replacement decals for my boat a few years back and they had them in stock.

Yep, This ^ Very reasonable too. Windshields on Pre-90's models are an exception though.

[mixermarkb]

You should join us on the champion fanatics umm I mean owners page over on the bass boat central forums. Lots of champ die hards there with good sources of parts and information!