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RESTO 96 Challenger cosmetic resto project

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DAGRE147

DAGRE147

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For those of you who don't know, I have been trying to trade in my 95 and 96 XP on double trailer for a 2 stroke seadoo boat for a while due to fiancee being pregnant. Well Matt Braley lives right down the road and we came to a deal on his freshly rebuilt 1996 Challenger. The engine looks b-e-a-utiful. Runs like a top. The exterior needs a little updating so figured i'd start up a new thread and get some better knowledge on whats best for the boat.

my list so far:
-Stereo system (ordered)
-Hydro - turf (gotta pick a color)
-Cup holders (missing a few oem ones)
-Rope box cover (whole assembly is gone)
-Upholstery (PO before Matt did all-white seats [emoji19] and didn't do a very good job)
-both rear facing seats need completely replaced
-decal kit if I can find one I like

Other than that, Bimini top is in good shape, gel coat is great, I'm pretty pumped!

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Feel like my eyes are gonna bleed from all the searching I've done on the internet on this rainy Sunday. I just can't seem to find a seat for the two that are missing. Anybody know a better way to find em?

The good news is that in all the searching, I went ahead and ordered the turf (purple) and got out there for a little bit while the sun was peaking through the clouds to give her a quick scrub. Interior floor is stained pretty bad, looks like water had sat in it for a while before. I'll have to find something that will get those stains off before I put the turf down.
 
That picture of the motor was taken by Matt before he completed the rebuild.

I'll PM you about the seats
 
since the vinyl upholstery on the challenger isn't "terrible" and has no rips or tears, and in order to save a little dough for other aspects of the boat, i think i'm just going to re-wrap a few areas and possibly try some marine vinyl coat from SEM. Does anyone have any experience using this product? looks to be a fairly simple process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIcjTOPj6OY

i figure since the seats are completely white, it should be pretty easy to paint them a nice teal to match the boat....maybe....
 
I have used SEM on the plastics and rub rails.
It will work, did not even know there was marine specific.
I can not say what it will do on vinyl though.
 
From what I've read it works pretty well, as long as you keep the each coating pretty light. Also, be weary of getting sunscreen on the paint or itll rub off.

I just ordered two cans of it and one can of the finishing coat, so we will see here shortly....i'll be sure to post pics for you guys

The way I look at it is if it works then I just spent 1/10 of what I would've spent on upholstery. If it doesn't, I was gonna reupholster anyway, and I'm only out 40 bucks. Win win IMHO

Edit - Also I went ahead and ordered a few yards of foam backed turquoise marine vinyl for the back rests for my spotter seat and bow seat. It was also super cheap for 2 yards by 54" in width sheet of the stuff. Gotta love ebay
 
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woohoo!! finally found the spotter seat i've been looking for on ebay. 150 bucks and not the right color but damn i'm happy. gonna look a lot better now!
 
Received my marine stereo and 4 speakers, am/fm antenna, and my foam backed upholstery yesterday! Moved into new house with fiancee so now I have a big garage to use as a shop. Can't wait to unpack all my tools and get to work!
 
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spotter seat finally came in, now Im just waiting on the paint...In the mean time, gonna get this stereo installed......now where did I put my sawzall....
 
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extremely impressed with this marine vinyl spray paint! That seat in the picture was from a yellow sportster! I can literally rake my nails down it and nothing comes off. Magic.
 
Put the hydro turf on today and took her out for a little while. Ran great but when I pulled her out of the water and pulled the plugs, a LOT of water came gushing out. Popped the hood and the whole engine compartment was underwater. Boo, now I gotta find the leak.

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Whelp found the leaks... yes I said leaks lol. One is a dry rotted boot on the exterior exhaust, another is a hole in one of the welds on the exhaust head pipe. Fun fun... ugh
 
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I'm wondering if I should just buy an exhaust pipe off the bay for 50 bucks and free shipping or get it welded. Advice?
 
Just get it welded, the one you blow $50 on will have the same problem at some point. Could be tomorrow could be a year from now.

Here's the gasket you need I assume. It's no longer available. But here is one a HIGHWAY ROBBERY prices. I would be hard pressed to pay it. Some guys have had success with wrapping tape around them if it's not too bad. Other guys have used a roof flashing for around vent pipes, not my bag but there is a thread on it here somewhere...found it

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?65992-Exhaust-Port-Gasket-1996-Challenger



http://www.oatey.com/products/flashings/roof-flashings


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seadoo-Chal..._Watercraft_Parts&hash=item4626444239&vxp=mtr
 
This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.
Holy hell that is steep! I checked out that thread and the flashing he had listed in his first post seems worthy of a shot... and only 15 bucks total. I'll give it a go.

Would try the tape, but this thing is GUSHING water into my bilge. The whole gasket is a dry rotted mess, no taping that lol.

I'll take your advice on the weld, id do it myself if I had a welder.
Used to dabble with mig and tig before the military, always loved it
 
Yes If the dealer does not have it then I do. I hope the water didn't get into the engine. You put it away running, right? The plug that always goes is the one that faces down toward the wire plug in on the mag cover, never really seen the others rot out so that may save you a buck at the welder.

I have a nice pipe I just took off a ski today with no rot yet. I'll give it to you with a new gasket for $50 if you want it.

I like the turf and want more pics. I'm gonna do mine soon as well.
 
Yes I ran it dry and she still cranks right up! Its the exact plug you mentioned, I placed a bid on a 20 dollar one that's welded already on ebay. If it falls through I'll Def. Try and scoop yours brother if it's still available
 
In Savannah doing some military stuff and haven't been able to get any further on the project. Got another project (4 wheeler) I snagged pretty cheap that needs a little work, so looks like I'll have plenty to keep me busy for a while once I get back :) not counting what seadoo I might pick up on the cheap end come winter. I can hear my wife's cries from here [emoji26]
 
Made a list of things still left to do, which turned out to be a terrible idea because I'm now more anxious than ever and can't do a damn thing about it till I arrive back home from trip [emoji24] oh well, onward and upward

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