Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

[oops!]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

First off oxidation and dirt/grime/hard water deposits/stains are two different things and require different approach in removal. Chemical wash, acid wash or what ever other chemical agent will work on the latter but not on oxidation. The only way to properly fix oxidation it to remove it by sanding and buffing. If the oxidation is minor some rubbing compounds will take it out as they remove very thin layer of gel coat. Some have used Vaseline to mask the oxidized look but that is a short term remedy with limited results. As said before, the only true way to remove it is with ample dose of elbow grease. Good luck.

This is correct.....i do this for a living....

the only caveat i have is that a good 3m rubbing compound will take care of most oxidation. only the worst will require re surfacing.

the magic eraser thing......is just bleach and wont harm your gelcoat (gelcoat is really a fantastic product) but it also is a short term solution.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

the magic eraser thing......is just bleach and wont harm your gelcoat (gelcoat is really a fantastic product) but it also is a short term solution.

Magic Eraser is just a pad that acts like extremely fine wet sandpaper. No bleach in the regular ones.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

I can ignore it no longer and am resigned to the fact that next spring I'm going to have me a serious de-oxidation session on the Scout.

There are two areas, however that remain shiny, shiny - where my fenders hang against the side of the boat. I suppose I could just move them inch by inch along the hull and let the wave action at the dock do the buffing for me...

 

[bake315]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

I own a 14 year old boat with dark green gel coat sides. Recently, it sat through three summers without polishing, and as a result the sides got pretty oxidized. I also own a 17 year old Airstream, so I'm definitely no stranger to it. The other day I was working with my variable speed polisher a 3M Perfect-It pad and some rubbing compound, trying to get the oxidation off the boat. It was working, though it was taking four and in some cases five applications to get the shine I was really wanting. At this stage, I figured either the polisher, the pad or I was going to wear out before getting it looking good. Anyway, on a whim I tried a little of the polish that Airstreamers and those who polish aircraft aluminum swear by - Nuvite. In particular, I chose the third to finest grade, "C". At $21 for a quarter pound jar it might seem pricey, but a little bit goes a very long way; in my case, I used less than half a jar on a 21' bay boat. Working in sections of about 12-18 inches, I found that it only took 1 to 2 passes to get a shine that was better than 5 passes with the regular compound took, and used far less material in the process. After this, I applied two coats of carnauba wax, buffing with a wool bonnet, to get great results.

Attached are some photos to show before and after.

 

[beason]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

On my 91 sea ray, it was white with a yellow stripe in the gel coat. The white was chalky and you could feel the roughness, but the yellow you could really see it. I tried a few other items, but eventually i ended up with some high quality auto wax like meguiars.

The trick i found was on application. use a good amount, and a damp applicator. you dont want to just smear it on, you want to really work it into the surface. This is when you remove the oxidation. let it dry really well, and hit it with a buffer with a wool pad. it took the oxidation right off and left the boat super shiny. You could really tell a difference around the transom eyes and stuff where i couldnt get to.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

try vaseline 1st- nothing to loose.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

to save this thread

 

[nuttz4bolts]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

Just got finished taking oxidation off of my runabout. I used Meguiars oxidation remover between 2000 and 2800rpm on the buffer. in areas that have a contour I lowered the speed to stay away from burning the coat. I am pleased with the result. I followed it with Meguiars Marine wax. Great polish and shine.
Give it a try. About $15 a bottle at most marine stores

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

My very white hulled boat is attacked all summer by spider POOP. I now use full strength Clorox Bleach with a white cloth. Soaked & laid on the stain spots. 1 month old or longer POOP goes DEEP into the gellcoat. Bleach & bright afternoon sun does the job with no effort.

I hold the rag in place for about 30 seconds. do it to all the spots. wait 15 minutes. redo any spots untill all are burned out.
I can do the same for the white plastic fabric. Any organic stain goes away with this treatment. Colors ???? Would NOT use the Bleach without trying it in out of sight places first & then gradually comming up into the very visable deck areas. You could screw up badly.

My boat IS NEVER waxed. I use a VERY...VERY CLEAN pad at EXTREMELY slow speeds to remove the chalk. It looks good enough.

Rich

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

When I purchased my 29'er, it had sat and was badly oxidized. I used the Meguiars products, and it came back looking very nice.

 

[bake315]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

When I purchased my 29'er, it had sat and was badly oxidized. I used the Meguiars products, and it came back looking very nice.

That really did come back nicely!

 

[bake315]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

The Nuvite route works for me overall, since I can use it both on the boat, as well as the Airstream, which means I only have to purchase the one thing for removing oxidation.

Here's the Airstream after I polished it for the first time... Lots of work, but she's worth it.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

I used turtle wax buffing compound this weekend... it works like a charm.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

The Nuvite route works for me overall, since I can use it both on the boat, as well as the Airstream, which means I only have to purchase the one thing for removing oxidation.

Here's the Airstream after I polished it for the first time... Lots of work, but she's worth it.

View attachment 123546View attachment 123547

That's a beautiful trailer!

 

[bake315]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

Thanks! It turned 17 last month!

 

[scottn83]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

When I purchased my 29'er, it had sat and was badly oxidized. I used the Meguiars products, and it came back looking very nice.

How long did that finish last I know i have seen a few folks talk about sometimes after a lot of work with in a month of two the chalking is back because you really didn't all of the oxidation off

 

[oops!]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

How long did that finish last I know i have seen a few folks talk about sometimes after a lot of work with in a month of two the chalking is back because you really didn't all of the oxidation off

scott.....if a person tries to remove oxidation with a quick product like rain ex or nufinish (snake oil in my books) the finish will only last a few months.
but if done properly with the right cutting compounds.....it can last for years.

i use farecla......and have seen boats that i did 3 years ago........they look fantastic.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

scottn83,

I did this work in April 2010, and by the end of the season (October 2010) it had gotten some chalk back, but looked nowhere near as bad as the before photo.

Prior to launching in 2011 I had much less work to do to get it shining again. It did not completely cure the chalkiness, as it does come back over time, but it did a good job making it easier to deal with.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

A few months ago a friend at the lake called me to tell me he had an open bay at his shop and I needed to get my nasty a** boat in there before I left for Texas. He knew that my boat had been in my slip waay too long without a lift.

I first hit it with "The Works" and a power sprayer. After a thorough rinse, I went underneath with a scrub pad. I finished with Meguiar's polish and a buffer.

Lesson 1: Rinse thoroughly and wear goggles if you're going to be on a creeper under the boat. Gloves are a must, as well.
Lesson 2: A 6" buffer is a good tool, but a stockier, bigger buffer will save you from eight hours beneath a boat.

.

Having access to a hoist is priceless. Well, it was the cost of me helping with the repair and transport of a massive swim deck on a 44' SeaRay...

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Chemical to remove oxidiation from gel coat.

When I purchased my 29'er, it had sat and was badly oxidized. I used the Meguiars products, and it came back looking very nice.

Looks great!