Im not sure if youve figured out the sanding yet, but Im a mate on a yacht and have done some restoring of various boats gel coats. I would recommend that you hit the larger flat areas with a much coarser grit pad (basically anywhere the corner of the pad isn't going to touch and burn through) and then do the edges/corners with a finer pad or by hand with the coarse pad. otherwise its just not practical for the amount of time it will take you with 600 or 800 grit.
Cracks in gel coat always come back unless dealt with. Citrus strip and a new angled putty blade with edges softened with 320 to lessen gouges will deal with adhesive glue , heat or sun can get it to that sweet spot where it becomes bubble gum . Clear epoxy might be worth a test , 2 layers rolled on with cat paw or foam roller to form a base to paint on or get gloss while sealing the cracks . Splashwell can be a good test area . Foot panel ; use an old Alum Street sign , primed and coated with Herculiner bed liner you can roll on . Floors can be done with same product to tie it all together. Vinyl wrap material has come a long ways , could have labels made with color and then use same material to cover the faded stuff . I’ve also painted right over gel coat if prepped and de waxed and de greased . 2 part Interlux “Perfection “ is $100 / Qt. Kit , rolls on and is fuel proof . Scotchbrite between coats until it looks like it was sprayed , “roll and tip “.
Nice work! The old Rangers are such great boats. I just restored a 354V and love it.
it's getting there......can't wait to see next episode......
Im not sure if youve figured out the sanding yet, but Im a mate on a yacht and have done some restoring of various boats gel coats. I would recommend that you hit the larger flat areas with a much coarser grit pad (basically anywhere the corner of the pad isn't going to touch and burn through) and then do the edges/corners with a finer pad or by hand with the coarse pad. otherwise its just not practical for the amount of time it will take you with 600 or 800 grit.
Cracks in gel coat always come back unless dealt with.
Citrus strip and a new angled putty blade with edges softened with 320 to lessen gouges will deal with adhesive glue , heat or sun can get it to that sweet spot where it becomes bubble gum .
Clear epoxy might be worth a test , 2 layers rolled on with cat paw or foam roller to form a base to paint on or get gloss while sealing the cracks .
Splashwell can be a good test area .
Foot panel ; use an old Alum Street sign , primed and coated with Herculiner bed liner you can roll on . Floors can be done with same product to tie it all together.
Vinyl wrap material has come a long ways , could have labels made with color and then use same material to cover the faded stuff .
I’ve also painted right over gel coat if prepped and de waxed and de greased .
2 part Interlux “Perfection “ is $100 / Qt. Kit , rolls on and is fuel proof . Scotchbrite between coats until it looks like it was sprayed , “roll and tip “.
You may never get it back. Wrap it!