Dull Hull

[Quick3201]

1973 fiberglass boat, gel coat dull, dull. What is best way to make like new? Epoxy paint? Is it possible to spray a new layer of gel coat and make it shiny? I want a new boat for the old price. Any suggestions?? All offers considered.

 

[svxtech]

Re: Dull Hull

Aqua buff might bring it back, can be purchased almost anywhere marine related. if not spraying gel coat is an art- not to be done in your garage if you want it to look like new and not like a golf ball.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Dull Hull

There are a gazillion threads on this topic.

A lot depends on how bad the gelcoat is. You may need to wet-sand then work through rubbing compound to polishing compound to wax/polish, or start at some intermediate step. Mine seems to be cleaning up nicely with a Magic Eraser, which I will finish with wax.

 

[brian_mcwhirter]

Re: Dull Hull

Pick an inconspicuous spot, like on the transom underneath a swim platform. Start with a 200 grit sandpaper and sand off the oxidized gelcoat over a small area. Go over that with a 1000-1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper (wet). Follow that up with a polishing compound. It should give you the result you're looking for. It's a bit time-consuming, but nothing like trying to repaint or re-gelcoat. Lot's cheaper, too. Good luck. . .

 

[svxtech]

Re: Dull Hull

If your going to wet sand it spend the money on a decent DA sander also, unless you don't need to move your arms for the few days following the job

 

[calvinator]

Re: Dull Hull

You need power tools and compound and polish to bring her back. Lots of opinions around here, so here is mine.

2500 RPM Rotary polisher
Aqua Buff Compound on wool pad
Aqua Buff Polisher on polishing pad
Follow up with nice wax.

Full instructions on aqua buff's website. It'll cost ya $25-30 for the product. $50 for a harbor freight polisher. 4 hours to do it right.

I liked the aqua buff because it is water based. No matter what product you use, compound will be all over the place and nice to be able to hose it all down for clean up.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Dull Hull

Pick an inconspicuous spot, like on the transom underneath a swim platform. Start with a 200 grit sandpaper and sand off the oxidized gelcoat over a small area. Go over that with a 1000-1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper (wet). Follow that up with a polishing compound. It should give you the result you're looking for. It's a bit time-consuming, but nothing like trying to repaint or re-gelcoat. Lot's cheaper, too. Good luck. . .

I don't think I would start with 200 grit, way too aggressive. And to go to 1500 (or 2000) from 200 would take forever to work out the scratches that the 200 left behind.

I'd start with a good compounding, and see how that looks. You might be surprised. If not, then go to a wet sand of about 1500 or 1000. Do this in small area to see if it works, or if a more aggressive step is needed.

If you do use a machine (sander, polisher, etc.), be sure you know what you're doing. Gelcoat typically isn't very thick, and you can go right through it without much effort if you do it incorrectly.

My $0.02

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Dull Hull

try a little " VASSS-O-LINE![SIZE= and see how it works.3][/SIZE]

seriously-- try a little and see how it turns out.-- you need to apply regularly but it is soo simple & easy.

 

[jayyyy]

Re: Dull Hull

For heavy oxidation I like 3M super duty rubbing compound. Mask off a 3'X3' area that has the most damage and compound throughly and rinse and inspect. Gel coat is not nearly as opaque as paint and requires a thicker film to cover so keep inspecting (in the sun is best) to make sure you don't go through the gel coat. Follow up with 3M Finesse it then polish and wax. It sounds labor intensive but if you do a third of the hull each day and stay diligent you can really make you boat shine. Good luck.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Dull Hull

I agree 200 grit is way to aggressive. Wet sand with no more aggressive than 600, try 1220 or 1000 grit wet sand paper first. The less aggressive you can get away with the better. I would try the compounding first,but that old of a hull will probably need a good wet sanding if it wasn't maintained well. Remember if compounding or wet sanding, keep it wet! If it starts to stick, add water. Painting is always an option, but why if the gel coat restores well. Paint can get scratched up pretty good at the docks and loading off loading on a trailer.

I don't think I would start with 200 grit, way too aggressive. And to go to 1500 (or 2000) from 200 would take forever to work out the scratches that the 200 left behind.

I'd start with a good compounding, and see how that looks. You might be surprised. If not, then go to a wet sand of about 1500 or 1000. Do this in small area to see if it works, or if a more aggressive step is needed.

If you do use a machine (sander, polisher, etc.), be sure you know what you're doing. Gelcoat typically isn't very thick, and you can go right through it without much effort if you do it incorrectly.

My $0.02

 

[mpdive]

Re: Dull Hull

If you go with Imperial compound by 3M you can wet sand with 800. Then use the Imperial with a buffer. If you want you may follow up with Finesse-It to polish it out further. Did my whole boat and it came back to showroom condition.