Late 60s gel coat able to be restored?

[Mattjphoto]

I bought this boat and did some search on here about difference ways to get the gel coat back to shinny. My question is my gel coat to far gone to get a mirror finish back? I did a quick 1000 and 2000 grit wet sand last night. I had some rubbing compound laying around so I tried that w/ some regular turtle wax. I would have to say it looks better I just don't know how much better it would come out if I went down to say 600 grit. What are you guys thoughts?

 

[Mattjphoto]

No Title

 

[harleyman1975]

I would start with 400 grit and work my way up through the grits and then compound with 3m super duty compound. I would try if it was mine.

 

[Woodonglass]

Have you Power Buffed her yet? If not, I'd be trying that. You might be surprised what that will do. If you've never used one, you need to go online and do some studying on how to use one.

 

[Mattjphoto]

Have you Power Buffed her yet? If not, I'd be trying that. You might be surprised what that will do. If you've never used one, you need to go online and do some studying on how to use one.

I have not. I was thinking about picking up some 3m super duty compound then running to Harbor Freight and picking this guy up... http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-60626.html

Would it be ok to use dry sand paper instead of wet sanding on gel coat? My orbital sander sounds like an amazing idea compared to sanding by hand.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm dry sanding gelcoat is NOT a good idea IMHO. Way to aggressive. That Polisher will do the trick. Just take it easy and watch some YouTube videos on how to use it and the appropriate compounds and appropriate pads to use.

 

[harleyman1975]

In the body shop we dry sand all the way to 1500 grit...but we use what I call short stroke D/A's they are a finish sander with a small orbit. wet sanding for a novice is better because you will have more control and less chance of sanding through to the substrate.

 

[Mattjphoto]

I have a $10 off at Napa so if I can get it there it would be great. Is this the stuff you guys were talking about?

http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/MMM05954

 

[Woodonglass]

Nah, that's prolly a bit too aggressive not to mention PRICEY!!! Just go to Walmart and get some good Ole' Turtle wax. It comes in 3 different Grades Usually runs about $6.00 bucks per can. The fine and medium grit should do the trick. Read the labels to figure out which is which.

 

[harleyman1975]

I use superduty as a first cut then step up to Diamond 2x by meguires and then finish with their glaze.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah, Mequiars is good stuff too. A bit more pricey but not that much.

 

[Mattjphoto]

No Title

I took a sticker off that was completely faded. Under the sticker is blue not green. Does this mean I should wet sand/buff until I see blue? I'm afraid to sand/buff that much so I thought I would ask before I hit work on it this weekend.

 

[Woodonglass]

Well that's the original color but how close you can get to that is a crap shoot!!

 

[harleyman1975]

What your dealing with is photochemical reaction. The gel coat has been physically altered by the U.V. You can make it look better but it will never be new again.