Does it need rewaxed or what?

[dazk14]

Since no one has addressed one of your primary concerns about removing too much gelcoat...in plain language...well, you can't.

For an 89 Regal, you will have a VERY difficult time removing too much gelcoat - read darn near impossible.

The edges are where you'll have your "best shot" at removing too much.

As one of the previous posters indicated, you can try an inexpensive can of white Turtle wax polishing compound and the correct cutting pad (that will also be white) and try an area to see if your cutting(removing) enough for your satisfaction.

The yellow pad is needed to attain a higher gloss and you would switch to a finer polish/sealer for the 2nd round - where you will still be (should be) removing some more material.

Just an fyi - the specific pad used has "cutting" characteristics and the pads need to be spurred often and rinsed when they are too loaded up.

While we use more expensive products, a small can of the white will only set you back ~$7.

 

[frantically relaxing]

You can try poor man's clear coat:

Linseed oil.

Or buy Pentrol if you want to spend more money, but it's mostly linseed oil.

To get the chalk off, get some purple power, some rubber gloves, mix it 50/50 with water and rinse well and fast.

Then put on the linseed oil. I applied it with a red shop rag. (wear gloves) Takes a few minutes to get the hang of how much to use, but less than 2 quarts of Pentrol 'painted' the whole boat, in about an hour. Looked good for 2 seasons before it started aging out. Looked better than ANY of the polishing I tried.

 

[MikDee]

No Title

So.. how much vaseline will the average 18-20 foot boat take? Should I place an order for a 50 gallon drum, or will one or two large containers do the trick? I already know I'm going to get a lot of raised eyebrows when I walk into Walgreens and ask for a case of vaseline "for my boat".

LOL! Actually a small jar would probably do your boat, it stretches quite a bit when warm, But, I'd just get one large jar (it should be enough for a dozen boats ). Just give it enough Warmth, & time, for it to look dry. It normally takes a day or so to absorb fully, then wipe off all the dirt, grime, & chalk it removes. I put this on my jetski too, on the purple vinyl seat and it was good until I sold it 2yrs later, on the hull I put Turtle wax ICE liquid over it and it was just as good too! It went on all the boats metal, and restored that as well. This was my son-in-laws boat, then I moved onto mine with the same results!

 

[woosterken]

here is an article with pictures of the results.http://forums.fiberglassics.com/mfg/restoring_glossgelcoat.htm
ken

 

[Scott Danforth]

and if you ever want to paint, the Vaseline is in the pores of the gel coat requiring sanding down to the fiberglass and starting over.

 

[NYBo]

Actually, it just masks the problem. Once the Vaseline goes away, you still have your oxidation.

So what? If it looks good for a year or two with such low cost and effort I don't see any problem.

 

[Barramundi NQ]

A friend of mine had a heavily oxidized red gel coat runabout that he wanting to sell but it looked real bad almost white. So after a number of polishes and restorers, he got real frustrated with it and slapped some baby oil (petroleum based) on a rag and it look like it came off the showroom floor! It was very slippery for a week, and my friend sold it on the first day he put it on the road. Has anyone else used baby oil like the Vaseline mentioned earlier?

Kerry

 

[jbcurt00]

Baby oil, IMO, would be a worse choice then the Vasaline, and shorter 'lasting'. Neither option leaves you a surface you can do anything w/ except more of the same, masking the problem.

 

[MikDee]

About 45yrs ago I bought a badly faded red & white 16' Larson All American. I tried a bunch of things, no luck! I got some motor oil on the deck, and it got dark, & shiny, so I rubbed the whole boat down with motor oil, But, it didn't last long, maybe a week, or so? I've heard of using tranny fluid as well, I never tried it? But, I don't think that would last very long either. The 1st time I tried Vaseline was on my almost new 69' Dodge Charger R/T 440. It was medium metallic lime green, with a matching vinyl top. I used it on the top after cleaning it, and it looked great! I also noticed it dissolved, & removed the excess black weather stripping goop, a bonus! The top looked good, & held up well for quite a long time, matching my Blue Coral wax job I forgot about Vaseline for yrs, till recently.

 

[slag]

Tried the vaseline treatment last night. I put it on heavy, let it soak in, then took it off. Still needs a little more buffing. Untreated pics are from last night. The shiny ones are from this morning after it sat all night in the driveway. it also brought back the black rubber trim and made it shiny and supple as well. Overall, I'm impressed.

http://i.imgur.com/o9PQZEJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Tvo8wHB.jpg

 

[slag]

Here's a couple more entire boat photos:

http://i.imgur.com/xoSGin3.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/cOA8QVa.jpg

 

[oldjeep]

Here's a couple more entire boat photos:

With the amount of damage on that boat, the Vaseline is probably your best bet. Aside from the oxidation, there are so many nicks visible even in the picture (the grey areas) that buffing it isn't going to do much for you.

 

[slag]

I agree. Sadly, it was this way when I got it. I guess the previous owner(s) didn't believe in fenders. It was a $500.00 boat and has been a lot of fun for the family. The entire thing has the pinstriping and decals coming off also. It's a real mess, but looks a ton better with just the vaseline treatment.

 

[oldjeep]

I agree. Sadly, it was this way when I got it. I guess the previous owner(s) didn't believe in fenders. It was a $500.00 boat and has been a lot of fun for the family. The entire thing has the pinstriping and decals coming off also. It's a real mess, but looks a ton better with just the vaseline treatment.

It definitely does look a lot better in the second picture. The pinstripes would be a huge pain to deal with, I had to replace a couple of small sections on the Bayliner I had after a dock scrape, and even after only 8 years they were hardened and didn't want to come off clean.

 

[MikDee]

Looking Good Slag! Try it on your vinyl upholstry too it will soften, & restore them as well, with no greasy mess when dry.

 

[bruceb58]

Wow Mik! Was this you?
http://dailyhaggis.com/2004/05/17/man-arrested-after-coating-hotel-room-self-in-vaseline/

 

[MikDee]

The "Slippery Bandit" Lives! :lol: I guess he likes it even more then me! Just reading this gives me the "willly's" Thanks for the link Bruce, it made my Day!

 

[dazk14]

EDIT - Personal and crude comments have no place in this Forum. GA_Boater

 

[jbcurt00]

Daz We don't know each other, so I'd ask that you not speak about MY admiral in a vulgar manner. ARE WE CLEAR? Thanks

 

[slag]

Well, boat was in the water today. When we got it out, you can see where the Vaseline rubbed off and the hull is dull again. HMM, very short term. I'm going to try the ZEP.