Clark_Lake
New Member
Hi, I'm new to the forum and thought I'd share some pics of my "quar-project"...restoring my grandma's old Sunfish. My parents took it out a few years ago so I know it floats, and other than that it's been in a garage or basement the past 25+ years. I think most of the parts are original, but maybe the sail isn't, not sure (don't have a current pic of the sail but it seems like it's in good shape and you can see the color in the vintage pics below). The bailer was lost on the last voyage and I'm getting one from ebay this weekend so I'm hoping to drop it in the water next week.
So far I've refinished the rudder, tiller and daggerboard and cleaned and polished the brass components. It was missing the tiller handle and I bought one on ebay and stained it.
I've been reading the threads about how to restore the deck and I've been getting confused...I'm sure it's a stupid question, but is the deck "gelcoat" - or is that the hull, or maybe they're both gelcoat? Eventually I'd like to try to restore the deck to a shine, if possible, and without painting. Was the deck originally a gloss finish? When I was using it in the 80's it appeared matte....so I'm not sure if it was always matte, or it just looks matte because of oxidation, or is it layers of old wax/polish?
I've washed the deck with soap and water and tried Meguiar's m4916 marine/rv heavy duty oxidation remover but it still looks bad, lot's of splotchy patches. I took the the eye straps off (hopefully that wasn't a mistake) because I bought a new bridle and I can see bits of what looks like the original finish. I know it's just an aesthetic thing and doesn't get in the way of sailing but I have the time and would like try and restore the deck if I can. I just wanted to check here before I start wet sanding and potentially make it worse. Is it a lost-cause or can I restore it to glory?
Thanks,
John
So far I've refinished the rudder, tiller and daggerboard and cleaned and polished the brass components. It was missing the tiller handle and I bought one on ebay and stained it.
I've been reading the threads about how to restore the deck and I've been getting confused...I'm sure it's a stupid question, but is the deck "gelcoat" - or is that the hull, or maybe they're both gelcoat? Eventually I'd like to try to restore the deck to a shine, if possible, and without painting. Was the deck originally a gloss finish? When I was using it in the 80's it appeared matte....so I'm not sure if it was always matte, or it just looks matte because of oxidation, or is it layers of old wax/polish?
I've washed the deck with soap and water and tried Meguiar's m4916 marine/rv heavy duty oxidation remover but it still looks bad, lot's of splotchy patches. I took the the eye straps off (hopefully that wasn't a mistake) because I bought a new bridle and I can see bits of what looks like the original finish. I know it's just an aesthetic thing and doesn't get in the way of sailing but I have the time and would like try and restore the deck if I can. I just wanted to check here before I start wet sanding and potentially make it worse. Is it a lost-cause or can I restore it to glory?
Thanks,
John