I've been kicking around the idea of freshening up the inside of the Clack and really like the splatter paint I've seen in a few Lavros lately. Is Zolatone the way to go or is there something better? I noticed Zolatone is a bit pricey too so less expensive is always good if there are other products for less. Hopefully some of you have done it and can give me some insight.

Thank you,

Drew

I say pick up a better project. Build a rod or something. Making a db pretty makes polishing spinner rims look like a noble cause.

Well Zolatone or not I do want to at least freshen her up. She's looking pretty sun faded on the inside, especially the benches.

Drew

If you fished alongside my old beaten up Clack your's would probably look new! I like to keep my boats cleaned up but wont work on the hull cosmetics unless I spring a leak ...or KK runs into something again....

In my old lavro I used to spray the benches and floor with some tough non skid flat black rattle can stuff once a year and it looked good. It lasted maybe 30 float trips then needed some attention in the traffic area of the floor. But for 20 bucks I would just re spray the whole thing.

I'd worry more about splattering the inside with fish blood...

Fish on...

Todd

And put a Four Stroke Yamaha 80 horse jet on it....NOW WE'RE TALKIN!!

...and if you going to keep fishing Blue Creek, it can't hurt to mount a .50cal in the bow, while you're at it!

Fish on...

Todd

Glass DB's have gel coat on them, not Zolatone.

From Zolatone's website:

Zolatone Has Our Customers Covered

Glasspar Boat Company was the pioneer of producing fiberglass boats in the United States. In 1952, Zolatone completed a demo and Mr. Edward Grijalva was asked to spray the Zolatone product. When asked what he thought, Mr. Grijalva replied, "It is great. It covers very well and it is something that we have been waiting for." From then on Glasspar converted to using Zolatone and were happy customers. "In the years that I worked for Glasspar 1952-1962, no other product came close to the quality and price of Zolatone. When we sprayed Zolatone on Glasspar products, the finish was clean. In other words, if you had a hull that the seams were very rough and resin rich, Zolatone came to the rescue because it covered all bad blemishes."
- Edward T. Grijalva, Fiberglass Boat Builder, Glasspar Boat Company

---------------------------

So I guess some new fiberglass boats DO have Zolatone on them.

If I could only get Ron on this thread it might go to 4 or 5 pages with one post.

I wonder if he would do a fluff and buff for steeliedrew or give him some pointers ?
Would have to find out if Clacks are allowed on the premises

there is a product called "webbing solution" that is mixed in the gel-coat to create that effect. easy to do and can be shot out of any old spray gun. revchem in tacoma can hook you up.

Why not go with herculiner or a similar roll on/brush on bedliner. It protects AND covers the surface and it will provide traction which is functional. DO NOT Go with black for the interior or you will bake like a slug in the sun! Herculiner comes in several colors.

uglier the better!

"So I guess some new fiberglass boats DO have Zolatone on them."


I sell gel coat and resin to almost all of the drift boat companies and to most of the other boat builders on the west coast. I have also done tech service work at just about every major boat builder in North America.

While Glasspar may have used Zolatone in 1962, it's not used by anyone that I know of on fiberglass now (there most likely is some company out there using it though).


Gel coat with webbing solution is how the splatter affect is done, it's extremely durable and hides some pretty ugly stuff. Many places sell the products, Spectrum Color or Gel Coat Products are the closest places to you.

Thanks everybody. I'm not looking to cover everything with bedliner. The floor already has that done which I like for grip but mainly I just want to freshen up the interior gunnels and since the benches are quite oxidized now I'll probably paint them as well and add a rope seat, since the rowers bench has the holes for a rope seat. The reason I want to freshen it up and start outfitting it more is that I love it and don't see a reason to get anything different for years to come.

Drew

So it sounds like I'd have to spray one color of gel coat first followed by a contrasting color that has been mixed with the webbing solution to achieve the web or splatter effect. Is the correct? Also it looks like I'll need a gel coat spray gun to make it happen. Hmmm...

Drew

I have under reduced automotive paint to splatter, works pretty good. I would use a two part paint to reduce the cure time. Just remember to protect yourself as two part paint is bad stuff to breath or get on you. I would think that if you clean, scuff and mask off the area any Body Shop could splatter some paint on in just a few minutes. If you aren’t picky about the color they could just use some leftovers.

The gel coat can be rolled on, but the web pattern is normally sprayed.

You can pick up a cheap spray gun at Harbor Freight for as little as 9.95 when they're on sale, 30.00 or less when not on sale.

You just need to borrow a small compressor if you don't have one.