Painting my gator...finally

Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51446

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	I got my gator stripped today and I think I'm going to get it sandblasted so it will paint up good.It's got about three coats of paint.I already have the bunks painted and carpeted.Do you guys think sand blasting is the way to go?? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51448

MarkS
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In my opinion, it is Jim, if you can afford it. I would break down the trailer as much as possible, (unbolt everything) to make access to the area behind/under brackets and such better, it makes transporting it tougher but will result in a better job in the long run. Just make sure you get all the media (sand) out of all the nooks and crannies when it's done. Just my two cents worth........

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51454

barnickelbill Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 335 Karma: 24 Thank you received: 15	I'm with Mark, if you're looking for a quality job, blasting is the only way to go. Cheers Bill Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51455

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yes jim, sandblasting is the best way to go. as mark said get all the sand cleanded off before painting. it will seem like it cost more to have it blasted but in the long run it will save you time and grief, plus the cost of matterals like sand paper and such do add up. and the finished job will last alot longer cuz all the old paint and rust will be gone. i think you will be happier getting it blasted. it sure is going to be a nice trailer when your done. great job so far. frog

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51457

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Thanks Mark,Bill and frog. I'm going to find out ASAP the price. I have an old smaller blaster, But I think I'd be better off getting a professional. And I still have to redo the winch so it'll come together hopefully soon. Bill, your Tee Nee is spectacular!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 3 weeks ago #51472

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Hey Bill if you don't mind me asking. Where did you get your Tee Nee decals? I personally think sand blasting is great. I have a blaster here and have done whole cars with it. It takes time but it's well worth it. If your nooks and crannies are not to bad or many a grinder with a heavy wire wheel works great too.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51493

Shelby18 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 436 Karma: 18 Thank you received: 0	That Tee-Nee is fabulous. Can't wait to see how the Gator turns out. From many years of doing cars, I'd sandblast. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51508

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I agree with everyone here in that you should most definitely sand-blast although it seems as if you have already seen the light on that issue. I just recently sand-blasted my Gator and I have absolutely NO regrets paying the money that I did to get it done. I couldn't agree with Mark any more in that you should completely dismantle the ENTIRE trailer. The sand-blaster will love you for it. After you dismantle it secure the parts to a board somehow so that they won't get blown all over the place when the guy blasts it. Also, having everything dismantled will make the painting go much better too. Good luck and post pix.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51530

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Shelby18 wrote: That Tee-Nee is fabulous. Can't wait to see how the Gator turns out. From many years of doing cars, I'd sandblast. I'll post some pics(if it turns out good ).Shelby, is that your red belly in your avitar? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51537

Shelby18 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 436 Karma: 18 Thank you received: 0	It sure is. Folks love to see me going down to the public access to unload the canoe and kids in it. Then I park it in the lot while I go rowing. It is always the only one in the parking lot. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51546

Jim L
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Shelby18 wrote:

It sure is. Folks love to see me going down to the public access to unload the canoe and kids in it. Then I park it in the lot while I go rowing. It is always the only one in the parking lot.

I bet it IS the only one there lol. What year? I'm sure you here this all the time but " My dad had one like it"

I'd like to see some more pics of it (in the NBR section,I guess). I have a 600 ford I use some as a moto tug to move around my vessels.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51647

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It's definitely worth it to pay a pro, especially if your blaster is small. You'll spend way too much time yourself.
Robert - I had the decals made at a local sign shop. Sorry, but I don't have any left. If you need some, I can call the shop & see if they still have the file, that would save you the set up fees. I do have a manufacturers sticker, but it's Canadian.

Cheers
Bill

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51689

bseguin Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 115 Karma: 5 Thank you received: 0	Robert, Vintage Boat Supply has a couple Tee Nee decals in gloss black, matte black, silver, and white. They have some Gator decals as well. Brian Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51692

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I did my Gator a while back... I would have LOVED to have it blasted, but they wanted $500 or so locally to media blast it, which was a bit out of budget for me... I started with this-

I pretty much disassembled it, then I used wire wheels on my angle grinder to bring it down to bare metal. After many, MANY dirty hours, I sprayed primer then painted it. I think it turned out nice-

Blasting would have saved some time, But you CAN do it for a lot less yourself!

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51698

Jim L
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Andgott wrote:

I did my Gator a while back... I would have LOVED to have it blasted, but they wanted $500 or so locally to media blast it, which was a bit out of budget for me... I started with this-

I pretty much disassembled it, then I used wire wheels on my angle grinder to bring it down to bare metal. After many, MANY dirty hours, I sprayed primer then painted it. I think it turned out nice-

Blasting would have saved some time, But you CAN do it for a lot less yourself!

If mine turns out close to yours Andrew, I'll be satisfied.Nice!! I have one more"professional" to call and if he won't do it (the other only sand blaster is out of business), I'm going to sand blast it myself or go get some paint stripper and use my pressure washer with hot water and do it that way. I used to strip tractor drivetrains with stripper because I was afraid to have all those castings with gaskets(axle seals,trans seals,etc)sandblasted. It works pretty good just takes a little more time. About $20-40 for paint stripper.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 2 weeks ago #51716

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Right now is a bad time for me to do anything. They look good and I'd like to see a set on mine. I have a small sandblaster that holds 80-90 pounds of media. It is a pressure unit from Harbor Freight. I did my entire Bronco II about 10 years ago in about 4 i hour sessions. You can recycle the sand several times but it gets smaller as you go. One time I put a 1/2 ton of fine masonry sand in the middle of the garage floor and let it dry. I turned it over everyday. When the moisture was out I put it into sealed containers. I still have some in a bucket downstairs.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52013

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Sandblasted my trailer today. A friend who is a welder made me a new winch stand so I'm getting closer. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52053

MarkS Offline Moderator Posts: 5348 Karma: 118 Thank you received: 5	I noticed the pic in the decal thread, looks like the trailer turned out pretty darn nice Jim. The winch stand looks great too! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52055

Jim L
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MarkS wrote:

I noticed the pic in the decal thread, looks like the trailer turned out pretty darn nice Jim. The winch stand looks great too!

Thanks Mark,I did it myself with my little bucket blaster, but I used my welder friend's BIG air compressor. WOW, what a difference! Took two bags of sand $16.00. Yes, he did a great job on the stand. It's stronger than the other one. jim

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52259

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Thought I'd share some more pics of the fun I had and the finished trailer. I got done this afternoon.I think it turned out decent,but I had to paint the fenders twice to fix a couple of runs . Now I can clean up in here . Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52260

Shelby18 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 436 Karma: 18 Thank you received: 0	There's nothing nicer than a beautiful boat sitting on a beautiful trailer. Big thumbs up!!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52261

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Shelby18 wrote: There's nothing nicer than a beautiful boat sitting on a beautiful trailer. Big thumbs up!!! Thanks Shelby, I appreciate that.jim Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52275

frog Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1431 Karma: 59 Thank you received: 3	jim, you did a great job on your gator. now were do i send my elgin trailer to for you to do? lol. good work, looks like new. frog Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52285

Andgott Offline Contributing Member Posts: 1243 Karma: 72 Thank you received: 0	Looks GREAT!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52296

Eduardo Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 309 Karma: 35 Thank you received: 5	Your Gator trailer looks really nice Jim. Great job on her. Love these vintage trailers. I second Shelby18. You'll find that the extra long leaf springs gives it a softer ride too. Enjoy your newly restored Gator. Eduardo Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52305

MarkS Offline Moderator Posts: 5348 Karma: 118 Thank you received: 5	Looks great Jim, nice work! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52310

Jim L Topic Author Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1426 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 2	Thanks to all for the words of encouragement and support. Frog,better send it quick while I got my groove on for trailer painting . Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52333

robert-lorigan Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 2524 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 4	That looks wonderful. Anyone would be proud to have their Glasic sit on that. I love how the red has contrast. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52346

Jim L
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robert-lorigan wrote:

That looks wonderful. Anyone would be proud to have their Glasic sit on that. I love how the red has contrast.

Thanks Robert, the sad part is now when I look at the Aristocraft's trailer,it's looking bad next to the gator.I guess I've got to tackle it now... I might have opened up a can"O"worms.

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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52366

Shelby18 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 436 Karma: 18 Thank you received: 0	Can't wait to see the new thread!!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52367

Shelby18 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 436 Karma: 18 Thank you received: 0	Can't wait to see the new thread!!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52376

robert-lorigan Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 2524 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 4	Will the fun ever end. LOL You should see some of the trailers under some boats around here. Some of them I think if the rust molecules quit holding hands they would fall apart. Have fun. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 1 week ago #52405

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	hi jim,i just found this thread,very,very nice job!!,it looks great,john Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:Painting my gator...finally 13 years 6 days ago #52479

Jim L
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john-gibson wrote:

hi jim,i just found this thread,very,very nice job!!,it looks great,john

Thanks for the complement,John. From what I've seen of your work, that means a lot. I know this is probably not the right forum to put this,but it's on my mind and I'm here so...... There's a lot of great people on this site. I just wish I was a little closer to you all and could meet you. Sincerely, Jim L,

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