Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

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uscboy

Seaman
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
59
Last season I used some 3M Hand Glaze on my 83 Chapparal. It's the best stuff to use on your car... the finish is amazing.<br /><br />When the stuff goes on, it's kind of like polish mixed with some kind of mineral spirits almost. At least that's the best way I can explain it.<br /><br />Anyway, it left this white haze on the boat... I thought... well, it's going in for the winter anyway, I'll clean it up next Spring.<br /><br />Welcome to next Spring. Washed it with soapy water and a sponge. Looked shiny and nice until it dried and then the same haze and swirl marks from the electric buffer came right back.<br /><br />Tried some Turtle Wax Finish 2000 in a small area on the back and it didn't help really.<br /><br />So, I'm stuck... what should I use now or did I royally screw up the gelcoat??<br /><br />Below are some pictures of the problem:<br /><br />
IMG_1419.jpg
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IMG_1421.jpg
 
B

BillP

Captain
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Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

I left rubbing compound on a black hood of a car too long. It baked on and looked like yours. Washing and hard scrubbing wouldn't take it off. Buffing with a compound made it go away...
 
H

HeadHunt

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 21, 2004
Messages
172
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

If it was my boat I would try this. Use the cleaner first and then the wax. I know this is great stuff and will remove oxidation and other contaminants but yours will be a real challenge.<br /><br /> http://www.thebestwax.com/boatwax.htm <br /><br />HeadHunt
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

"Buffing with a compound made it go away........"<br /><br />I Think That's the Answer...................<br /><br />Or,.. Wet Sanding..........<br />It Looks like you've got Enough gelcoat left.......
 
W

waterone1@aol.com

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Oct 10, 2004
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1,235
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

I agree with Bondo. It's time to take off some finish. A good rubbing compound would be a place to start, if that doesn't do it, a light wet sanding (800 grit, followed by 1200 grit), then rubbing compound should do it.
 
U

umblecumbuz

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Sep 25, 2004
Messages
1,062
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

Hard to tell from the photo's, but as far as I can see, all you've done is left something stubborn on the surface. It doesn't look as though you've harmed the gelcoat any.<br /><br />If that's so, just use any fine rubbing compound before rewaxing.
 
U

uscboy

Seaman
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
59
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

Thanks for the advice, all. Even the rolling eyes. ;) <br /><br />Learn something new all the time I suppose. Only my second season this year with a boat, so I'm learning as I go.<br /><br />First lesson: Don't use car polishes on your boat.<br /><br />Second lesson: Rubbing compound is your friend.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures of the work this morning... and a follow up question after them.<br /><br />
boatfinish01.jpg
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boatfinish02.jpg
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boatfinish03.jpg
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boatfinish04.jpg
<br /><br />Now that's after 3M rubbing compound, 3M Finesse-It finishing compound, then 3M rubbing compound again lightly (the finishing compound left a haze, the combination of the three-step thing was more shiny than just the rubbing compound alone - go figure).<br /><br />Anyway, my follow up question is about waxing it. How important is a coat of wax after rubbing compound? Or is that good enough without waxing? The reason I'm asking is I tested the 3M wax in a small area, let it dry, rubbed it off, and it's less shiny than the areas that weren't done with wax yet. <br /><br />I'd hate to go through the entire boat with wax and make it duller than it is now. Unless leaving wax off is asking for trouble. Freshwater only, by the way, if that matters.<br /><br />Thanks!
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Oct 8, 2003
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9,334
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

I would do the whole boat with a polishing compound using a 7" or larger polisher. Then wash well and wax. You can use marine waxes, but seeing as most waxes are mostly carnuba wax, plain old Turtle Wax brand auto is what I use. Seems to hold up the best. Seeing as your boat is trailered, it won't matter much what you use as long as it doesn't have any harsh cutters/solvents in it.<br /><br />Thats how I do my boat. Nice shine, salt hoses off easy, and if I do use a little mild soap to wash the boat down after being in the bay, it doesn't take all the wax off.<br /><br />Don't use the rubbing compound any more, it does take off a lot of material, and you did get off the marks. Use polishing compounds in the finer grits from here on when you want to polish it.
 
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waterone1@aol.com

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Oct 10, 2004
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1,235
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

The wax is important! Besides sealing the finish, it would/should include some UV protection which is real important on dark colors like yours.
 
b.gagnon

b.gagnon

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 28, 2001
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835
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

buff and wax and that boat will look great.
 
P

pirate2501

Cadet
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Mar 26, 2005
Messages
14
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

uscboy,<br /> I've been using liquid wax with teflon on my fresh and saltwater boats with great success for years. especially on the bottom of the freshwater boat. any brand <br />like Starbrite or Westmarine are really easy to use by hand.
 
S

stealurface

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
34
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

Mark42 - I seem to remember last season you had a post about how you were able to restore the shine in your boat.<br /><br />I can not locate it - can you check your posts and add the URL here please?<br /><br />I have an 89 Maxum I picked up last year and want to polish her in the next few weeks.<br /><br />Thanks a bunch.
 
W

who

Cadet
Joined
Apr 2, 2005
Messages
19
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

Is it possible to paint the gelcoat finish? My yellow stingray is damn ugly, and if possible, I'd like to have my autobody neighbor spray this thing white...
 
M

murphini

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2004
Messages
116
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

am also a 2nd year boater just about to get mine out of hibernation.... <br /><br />Did you use an electric buffer, a pad on the end of your drill/driver, or just hand/elbow grease to get that final shine with the rubbing compound?<br /><br />Thanks in advance
 
U

uscboy

Seaman
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
59
Re: Did I screw up my gelcoat? (pictures)

Originally posted by murphini:<br /> am also a 2nd year boater just about to get mine out of hibernation.... <br /><br />Did you use an electric buffer, a pad on the end of your drill/driver, or just hand/elbow grease to get that final shine with the rubbing compound?<br /><br />Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
The electric buffer wasn't required... the rubbing compound is gritty enough that maybe it should only be used by hand. It does take a bit of the color off as you go... even by hand.<br /><br />Now with the wax... even though I think it really dulls the finish, I'm going to tear into it with the electric buffer... in hopes of getting a good coat and getting it shiny since it'll be the last thing applied.<br /><br />We'll see how it goes.
 
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