Rudder Packing and Boot Stripe Question (39)96 3988-gctid364099

I figured I would have to sand it and paint it. Never occured to me to try and re-gelcoat it. I have never used gel coat....

[kwb]

pete oettinger wrote:
I ended up taking my Port side apart and measuring the packing- ws 3/8.

Yes Bootstripe is gelcoat which is now permanently scratched by crewman with scotchbrite. Could not even rub it out with rubbing compound. Bummer.

Scotch brite pads are usually about 320-400 grit equivilent and that won't polish out -- wet sand the scratches out starting with 600 followed by 1000 and then an agressive compound, then a lighter compound/color restorer product and wax. You might even need to go 1200-1500 before compound if the color is really dark to get a full on shine.

Worst case - you end up going through the factory dark stripe and get into the white. If you do then I would paint rather than gelcoat.

[boatworkfl]

I use Interlux boot stripe paint, dark blue, it will last for years with 2 coats, use a fine brush, use very good quality masking and be sure to press the tape edges down hard.

pete oettinger wrote:
I ended up taking my Port side apart and measuring the packing- ws 3/8.

Yes Bootstripe is gelcoat which is now permanently scratched by crewman with scotchbrite. Could not even rub it out with rubbing compound. Bummer.

That is a bummer. I would mask it off and spray it over with gel coat. You can get a colour match from your local gel coat supplier, and use an aeresol spray applicator typically used for touch-ups. Some experimenting on scrap ply or something should allow you to get the right gel coat mix for spraying. You can also roll it on like paint if preferred.

I ended up taking my Port side apart and measuring the packing- ws 3/8.

Yes Bootstripe is gelcoat which is now permanently scratched by crewman with scotchbrite. Could not even rub it out with rubbing compound. Bummer.

[bal734]

I repacked my 2001 3988 with two wraps of 5/16 flax. Check with Don at marinehardware.com. They still have a lot of the bayliner specs for running gear.

Thanks, I will look at that!

Someone advised me that the bootstripe is gel coat. Before you try to paint, it may be worth hitting it with a good cutting wax, and then buff it out.

Does anyone know what size packing is used on the rudder posts on my '96 3988? I repacked the starboard side years ago and alertly did not write down the size. Pulled the generator the other day, port side has never been repacked- I don't think there is enough there to measure.

Also anyone know the make/color of the original bootstripe paint? One of my helpers was cleaning the water line with scotchbrite and did the boot stripe too.....

Thanks