Re-painting Small Dings In Awlgrip

[Irie]

Howdy folks - have an 84 Tartan w/Dark Blue awlgrip (not sure how old the paint job is and it's pretty faded). Has a few "dings" where the white undercoating (not gelcoat) shows through. They are at most 1/4" across, so looking for suggestions on the best way to get the spots "blue" again.... my wife suggested fingernail polish -

Not overly concerned with a 100% color match, or that they are faired flush.

Thanks in advance !

[redbopeep]

Actually, your wife isn't far off. If you can get a small amount of the same color in a good hard enamel--doesn't HAVE to be Awlgrip--you can touch it up with just about any tiny brush and then either use wet sanding and final buffing to get it to blend in OR just use various grits of buffing compound to do it. This is how pros touch up little dings in paint on cars all the time.

If the paint is faded--that is oxidation on the paint. You can buff (or hire someone to buff) the entire boat and get it back to a dark blue. Even though its not the gel coat we're talking about, buffing can work wonders. Its the same techniques used for buffing car paint pretty much. Once you've gotten it back to dark blue by buffing, you can use a UV shielding product to help protect the paint (a clear coat) if you think it will be a long time before you're repainting. Nyalic is one product that comes to mind that would work.

[Irie]

Fantastic ! Thanks for the quick feedback, I also did some research on cleaning her up, may try 3M "Finesse It II". I'll post back with the results.

[svtadpole]

Speaking from experience ....

Firstly, buff the entire hull with cutting compound in order to restore the colour beneath the faded layer ...

Next, go to your local Awlgrip agent & obtain a touch up kit (comes in a small bottle with a little brush in the lid - similar to ladies nail polish) ... also get a bottle of Awlgrip solvent/thinner ...

Next ... remove any loose flakes of paint then use the solvent to thoroughly clean in & around the scrape ...

Next ... apply a first covering of colour ... wait for it to dry then repeat ... repeat until the level of paint in the gouge is the same as the surrounding area ...

Next ... using very fine grade paper, wet sand the raised excess paint surrounding the gouge until all is smooth & level ...

Next ... buff the repaired area to match the rest of the hull ...

Next ... keep the hull waxed for long lasting protection ...

Regarding the use of nail polish - - most nail polish has a cellulose composition which is likely to pickle & strip Awlgrip ... you might be able to find an acrylic type of nail polish but then you may have a problem matching the colour ... at least a proper Awlgrip touch-up kit will be a proper colour match.

[Lighthouse]

IMHO

The above suggestion by svtadpole is the way to go.

Good luck.

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse

IMHO

The above suggestion by svtadpole is the way to go.

Good luck.

I'm glad to hear that Awlgrip has touch-up paint available. When I said "any kind" of enamel--I meant a touch-up from a car company OR go to the model/art shop and get a small bottle of enamel, btw.

[Irie]

Thanks svtadpole, really appreciate the feedback/instructions. Any specific recommendations for a "cutting compound" ? I'm all googled out, and it appears 3M's Finesse product has the most positive feedback for awlgrip color restoration.

[svtadpole]

Originally Posted by Irie

Thanks svtadpole, really appreciate the feedback/instructions. Any specific recommendations for a "cutting compound" ? I'm all googled out, and it appears 3M's Finesse product has the most positive feedback for awlgrip color restoration.

Cutting compound (also variously called rubbing compound or buffing paste) is available in various degrees from very fine to coarse ... 3M is in the market but the best place to get what you need is from your local automotive paint supply outlet ... use a lambswool bonnet on a high speed rotary buffer.