80s era faded burghandy gelcoat dashboard

[88dancer300]

Ahoy ! Does anyone have any ideas for restoring the color of the textured gelcoat dash on an 80s era Sundancer? Mine is a little faded. I have been told that pentrol would help, but am afraid of doing damage. Thanx, Dave

 

[sprink56]

Why not paint it?:huh: Get a color match and use a small roller and a few small sash brushes. I did it on the green on my 390 and it looked like new.:thumbsup:

 

[just me]

 

[just me]

Mine is faded as well. I use a good vinyl treatment, pour it on heavy and wipe it down. I don't have the bottle here so i don't know the brand. as you can see in the pic it works really good.

 

[cpt. sundancer]

My brown dash paint is faded as well,did you use something like armor all? would be nice to have a quick fix besides painting it.

 

[tobnpr]

I painted mine- black.

 

[just me]

 

[just me]

Something like that above

 

[just me]

I painted mine- black.

Looks Great, nice boat

 

[88dancer300]

Sure does ! Wow, that looks great. I really dont want to prep and paint. I am an auto body and painter, but to really do it right, the windshield frame should be removed. Dave

 

[sbw1]

I had 1986 painted black as well. You are correct. The windshield does need to come off but this was easily done by the full service marina where the boat was stored. This was done as a part of a major refit to the boat after I owned it for 5 years. I got tired of all the brown trim and changed everything over to black stripes and black bottom paint. Removed the teak trim and replaced with stainless and added a radar arch with new electronics.

 

[tobnpr]

Sure does ! Wow, that looks great. I really dont want to prep and paint. I am an auto body and painter, but to really do it right, the windshield frame should be removed. Dave

You guys are right. Windshield should be removed.
This was the only "shortcut" I took during the refit. The windhsield had been re-bedded by the PO prior to me buying the boat, so I knew it wasn't going to come off without a fight. Even then, it would be a three or four man job. Mine has a recessed "channel" in the cap just inside the windshield, so you can't see the original burgundy from inside the boat, only when standing above, looking down. But, it still looks better than the old burgundy.

 

[rondds]

No sure abt all SRs of this era but my dash was definitely painted (as opposed to being a colored gel coat). I've seen many for sale with the arctic white gelcoat on the bridge dash. I'm not sure if SR paints them as an option or some owner along the way paints it. Mine is painted navy blue, which is odd b/c this boat came from the factory with the "Teal Motif." PO converted to grey/black, and yet the dash is navy. Go figure. Yet another project I've tossed around in my mind a million times. I'd love to do the dash panels but afraid of f'n with the wiring.

 

[tobnpr]

Ron;

I think you're right...paint would explain why I couldn't get the damn "gelcoat" to clean up! Cleaner and compound, and the rags just kept turning burgundy. I kept thinking, damn, that's alot of oxidation! LOL...That's when I decided to repaint it.

I'll bet it was painted...I don't know what kind they used, but it was pretty hard and thick.

 

[SCORPIO]

Mine is the navy blue and I think its paint. I used an old sock and applied several coats of Vertglass to the dash. Makes it shine and its not slippery and won't collect dirt. Is that Maguires a silicone based material or does it dry? I always hated Son of A Gun and Armorall because, while they looked great, they were slippery. May as well have used olive oil or motor oil.

 

[MarkD]

Mine is also Navy blue and I typically use the Meguires vinyl stuff. It really shines up the dash, seats, inside rubber seals etc. My dash actually looks fairly new when I do it. You need to do this about once a month to keep it looking good. Oh yeah, it is slippery but I am not dancing up on my dash!

 

[LmannyR]

Ron;

I think you're right...paint would explain why I couldn't get the damn "gelcoat" to clean up! Cleaner and compound, and the rags just kept turning burgundy. I kept thinking, damn, that's alot of oxidation! LOL...

Funny, I'm going through the same thing now. Stuff just rubs right off, same color, burgundy.

Do you have any more pics of the dash?

thanks!!!

 

[LmannyR]

Oh and how did you prep for paint? And what type of paint did you use? Thanks!!

 

[Sundancer]

Hey Scorpio, where did you get the Vertglass? Is that available at WM or a Sea Ray dealer? I'd like to try that on mine. We've never done anything to our dash and it looks good, but I'm thinking I should protect it?

 

[cpt. sundancer]

http://www.marinestore.com/vertglas.html?cart=335127819820546 I am going to order a kit and do mine also. :thumbsup: