RESTO 96 and 97 GTX Build

[soccerdad]

I just use a small wood block. not a clamp down sanding block. It saves your fingers from pushing so hard. Just fold a quarter sheet of paper into thirds, then use a small wood block to wrap it around. Or use your fingers. If it was a soft material, you would get uneven dips and stuff. But you are OK with just using your fingers here.

 

[jforest]

That's a good idea. When I go at it again, I'll try the wood block. I'm leaving today for Dallas for a wedding this weekend so it'll have to wait till next week. Sometimes I wish I could just take a week off of work to work on these haha.

 

[jforest]

So after working on the gel coat on the 97, I think I've determined that the gel coat is beyond repair. I have found a 97 XP in my area for $600 with a trailer that needs an engine. Since I already sent the 97 engine out to be rebuilt, I'm not too worried about that. I'm thinking of picking up the XP to replace the GTX then parting out the GTX to pay for the XP plus selling the trailer since I already have a double trailer. Does this make sense to anyone else?

 

[dgoodwin10]

So after working on the gel coat on the 97, I think I've determined that the gel coat is beyond repair. I have found a 97 XP in my area for $600 with a trailer that needs an engine. Since I already sent the 97 engine out to be rebuilt, I'm not too worried about that. I'm thinking of picking up the XP to replace the GTX then parting out the GTX to pay for the XP plus selling the trailer since I already have a double trailer. Does this make sense to anyone else?

Coming from someone that just bought a second GTX, I figured I would give my $.02- That all depends on what you intend to do with the skis. In my case, I often have friends at the lake and needed a ski that a novice could handle, so my 97 GTX fit the bill perfect. The problem came when I wanted to cruise with someone else and since an XP (X4 and 97+) really needs an experienced rider and isn't meant to cruise like a GTX, I opted to get a 2nd GTX (and keep the X4 of course). To answer your question, if you want a super fun ski AND a cruiser, then absolutely go for it. If your situation is like mine then maybe not. Not to say you shouldn't buy it and keep it for later though.....

 

[jforest]

I've been thinking about it throughout the day and I think it would be better if I had the GTX over the XP as I would like to have other people go out with us.

I'm thinking that since I already have the GTX registered for the year that it would be better to keep the one I have. I'm thinking that I can sand down the gel coat on it now and apply new gel coat. I think it'll be a lot of work but should turn out OK in the end.

 

[jforest]

Update:

I have removed pretty much everything out of the skis except the steering cable and mpem/wires. I have turned one of the skis over to start the hull repair. I worked on buffing it yesterday for a few hours and it turned out quite nice. I have some new gel coat from gelcoat.com for the bottom so I can repair the scratches and the one area in the picture that needs it. I'm happy with the other areas how much it is cleaning up. After this one is done, I will turn the other ski over and start it.

I removed the mats on the 96 but I am having a hard time getting all the adhesive off. You can see in the pictures how some of the adhesive is extremely hard and does not want to come off. Has anyone encountered this?

The weather we're having is great and makes me only want to work on the jet skis and forget all other obligations lol. I talked to Tom at SES late last week and my engines should be shipped back to me in 2 weeks. By the time they are returned, I should have all the body work done and be ready to drop them in.

 

[jforest]

I received my gel coat from gelcoat.com on Wednesday for the hull. I worked on the 96 GTX today and its looking pretty good after applying 2 coats. Once it cures, I'll sand it smooth and buff it. I hope to get to the 97 this weekend.

 

[jforest]

Just wanted to post another update. Still waiting on my engines to come back from SES. I've completed the body work on the 96 GTX as far as working with the gel coat. I plan to paint the bumper rails and clean the inside of the hull next. Overall the top and bottom of the hull turned out well and the new HydroTurf looks good installed. It was alot more work than I thought but definitely worth it. I'll be ready to get the 97 body work done but I think I need alittle break from all that sanding.

 

[soccerdad]

She is looking great! Keep up the good work!

 

[jforest]

Thank you! I uploaded the pictures to Photobucket then linked them in so there should be better pictures (well atleast not the attachment) from now on!

I put so much work into that one to get her where she's at...now it's time to do the exact same thing to the 97. I think I'm going to take a break from all that sanding and work on putting the 96 back together first.

BTW, anyone know where to get replacement stickers for the Forward, Neutral and Reverse sticker? Mine are OK but I'd like to replacement with all the work I'm doing.

 

[jforest]

Talked to Tom at SES. The 97 engine is on the way back to me now and he is finishing up the 96 engine. It should be on the way sometime next week. I've pretty much completed all the body work on the 96. I just need to recover the seats when the covers arrive and add decals. I plan on starting the 97 this weekend.





I also installed a new Start/Stop Button I got from SBT. It looks so much better than the one that was on there. I should have taken a picture of the old one before I took it off.

 

[soccerdad]

Looks great! You are going to bring these to Lake Norman for our May get together aren't you?

 

[jforest]

Thanks! I wish! I'm the best man in a wedding that weekend so I doubt I'll have time to come up.

 

[usb6086]

I have a 96 and 97 GTX also of the same color as yours. I assume by your post that you use Lake Wylie as your place to go (so do I). Good luck on your builds. I just got my 96 put back together from a complete engine rebuild.

 

[jforest]

I do use Lake Wylie. I live in Steele Creek and Copperhead Island is where I put in. I like it alot more than Buster Boyd Bridge, definitely not as crowded.

 

[jforest]

We got started on the 97 this weekend. My fiance helped me sand the bottom of the hull yesterday and today. All I need to do now is apply some wax and it can be flipped over but that'll wait for another day.

Here is the before picture on the 97:


And the after:

 

[fitty650sx]

Dude that looks so effin good

 

[jforest]

Thank you! I appreciate it. We put in a lot of work on it this weekend and couldn't be happier with the results.

 

[racerxxx]

It's amazing how thick the gel is that you can erase the prior owners boo boo's. Top notch.

 

[jforest]

We applied some additional gel coat to the bottom to help build up the bad areas then sanded it smooth. Some of the areas were pretty bad. I'm very happy how it turned out.

 

[soccerdad]

Did you spray the gel coat on? Looks great.

 

[jforest]

Rolled it on then sanded it the next morning with 400 grit then 800, 1000, 1500 finishing up with Meguiars Swirl Remover.

 

[racerxxx]

Can you get some hi res close ups? From the distance you took the pics at it looks stellar, I'm just super curious. I've been doing some studying lately.

 

[jforest]

Yea I'll try. The best camera I have is my phone lol but I'll get some close ups

 

[racerxxx]

Sweet, thanks!