The Skipper's Blog

Question:

Jim McTasney asked:

I recently acquired a classic Scooby Doo Boat that I would like to restore to its original glory. It’s a 1980 Delta Van Cruiser. I am pretty sure this is the original paint job. White paint is all chalky the multi-tone blue paint is chalky and faded.

The aluminum window trim probably needs to be repainted. Can the paint job be saved and returned to its original glory?

Advice on the window trim?

The Skippers Answer:

Part 1:

Hi Jim,

That sure is different. First time I’ve seen this boat. Kinda cool!

The boat looks like it’s made from fiberglass. Are you sure that it’s painted and not gelcoat? I’m not familiar with this boat so I need feedback from you so that I can advise you about the best solution for restoring the finish.

Captain Aurora,

Richard Kittar

Jim’s reply

She is definitely a unique vessel.

1980 Van Cruiser, made by a company called Delta, I think out of Florida.  Delta only manufactured for 3 years and only made 37 of these.  My boat is one of 4 that I have found on the internet.  26′ hull, Penta 200D engine with Penta 280 stern drive (do you know of anyone who carries old Penta sterndrive hydraulic hoses??)

Click to Enlarge…

The entire boat is fiberglass, hull and cabin.  I am almost positive this is the original 1980 paint.  All of the other Van Cruisers have a similar paint scheme, but in different base colors: brown, yellow, and red.

I don’t know if it is a gel coat because I don’t know the history of boat finishes.  Would gel coat have been common in 1980?  Is there another way to tell between paint and gel coat?

If it ever had a clear-coat final layer it has long since oxidized, especially on the cabin.  I can run my hand over the white paint and it leaves a white layer on my skin.  The ‘cabin’ is everything above the rub-rail.  The hull (below the rub rail) still has some ‘gloss/shine’ to it, but also has a very obvious waterline stain.

All windows except for the windshield have aluminum frames.  The frames were painted black, and the black finish is flaking and dulled all the way around.

The only treatment I have tried is NuFinish car polish.  It seemed to remove some chalk, it did not ruin any paint, but after a day or two I couldn’t really tell any difference from my polish test area to the rest of the boat.  I had to use some gasoline to remove vinyl sticker adhesive from a small area: the gasoline made the paint bright and shine, but again it did not last, and also did no damage.

Whatever was used to ‘paint’ this boat, it is tough as nails.  It has lasted 40 years, most of it in the sun.  I believe I have enough finish thickness to restore it.  I would much rather restore it than do a whole new paint job. I look forward to hearing your advice.

Click to Enlarge…

Part 2

The Captains Answer:

Hi Jim,

From what you’re describing, I would guess that what you’re dealing with is a gelcoat finish, not paint. Most boats are made from the outside in. Gelcoat is first applied to the interior of a female mold and then layers of fiberglass and resin are applied until the desired thickness is achieved. After that they may add layers of foam or balsa wood or plywood and more layers of fiberglass and resin.

The white finish on your hand is probably oxidized gelcoat. Gelcoat needs to be protected with a good quality, marine grade, UV sealer/polish, otherwise it will oxidize until there is no finish left. When your boat was made, there would only have been 20 to 40 mils of gelcoat on the outer surface. If you allow it to deteriorate too much there will be no gelcoat left and then you will need to refinish and that’s expensive.

Before we get into the restoration project and what’s required to salvage your original finish, I would like you to do a “spit test” for me and report the results. Then I’ll be able to advise you on the best and most economical way to move forward. It’s a unique boat and I’m sure that the right collector would pay a premium, especially if the boat was shined up and looking good. It looks like it might be all original.

To do the Spit Test, spit on your fingertips and rub a section of the oxidized gelcoat. I suggest a dark colored section as the darker gelcoats are the first to deteriorate. Now, look at the wet area and see if there is a shine and if the color is still there. If there is no shine or if the color is faded and does not appear bright, there is not enough gelcoat to restore and you are looking at refinishing. If you can see a shine and bright color, you’re in luck and we can bring that back. Remember, what you see is what you can get, no more than that. You may want to do several spit tests in different areas of the boat.

I look forward to hearing back.

Jim’s reply

Spit test shows I can get some shine.  See attached video and let me know what you think.

Part 3

You can restore the finish on that boat with our

and a rotary buffer with a lamb’s wool pad.

Click to watch our How-To Video:

Tim’s boat was a 1987 and in rougher shape than yours. He re-applied the Premium Boat Shine UV protector twice a year and the shine lasted 5 years before he had to do a touch up. He bought the boat, motor and trailer for $2,000. When we got through, a neighbor drove by, saw the boat and offered him $10,000.

Here’s a link to the

https://www.auroramarine.com/store/ez-buff-kit.html

Be sure to send me some before and after pictures or videos when you’re through. I think a lot of people would love to see your unique boat. I’ll post it on our Website and social media page.

Thanks for your question,

Captain Aurora

Richard Kittar

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