Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

[SeaKaye12]

Hi,<br /><br />I just picked up a 1978 Fiberglass tri-hull that's been sitting out most of it's life.<br /><br />It's faded badly; the original bright yellow is evident here and there; under tape and such. The rest of the hull is pale yellow.<br /><br />What can be done? The budget is tight...I'm not going to paint; all I can do is restore the original finish as well as can be done.<br /><br />Are products that I see for sale in the marine shops that are ear-marked for restoring gel coat...are they any better (or different) than the array of automotive cleaners, rubbing compounds, waxes etc that I already have in my garage for the car?<br /><br />Will a random orbit buffer work well; with products typically used by the auto body detail guys?<br /><br />If you were doing my resto...what products/procedures would you try?<br /><br />Thanks, Chuck

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

Try a spot with some automotive medium cut rubbing compound by hand. Maybe add a few drops of water if it's pretty dry. I'd be real careful with a buffer until I found out if the coating was thin on the ridges and edges. I'm bettin that it comes right back. If it feels rough to touch you might wet sand with some 1000-1200 paper before you buff. Err on the side of lighter paper. You can always move to heavier.<br />Good luck. It's gratifying to bring a finish back to life. Be sure and get a before and after pic to show off.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

Here's a shot of my Baby Blue Starcraft - starboard side (left in photo) has been rubbed out with rubbing compound - port side hasn't been touched... The color really popped back! Mine was fairly oxidized to start with and it took a good 6-hours to do the hull stem to stern, both sides. But, it was well worth it! With a coat of wax to seal it, it looks like a brand new boat!<br /><br />- Scott<br />

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

Thanks Thunder and Chine...<br /><br />Temptation got the better of me this morning after reading your posts. I had some 000 Steel Wool and some auto rubbing compound; so I tried that in an inconspicuous spot. The color does indeed come back; a fair amount...but it seems that it's gonna take a whole lot of rubbing to get it back to the original bright yellow.<br /><br />My question then is...on gel-coat (fiberglass?) finishes like mine...does the color go clear through? And, Just how thick a layer are we talking about?<br /><br />At this point; I know that I can get it to look a lot better...I just don't want to go too far.<br /><br />Thanks again, Chuck

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

Hi Chuck,<br /> If you look around your hull a bit you're bound to find a gouge somewhere that goes through the gelcoat. That should give you an idea of how thick it is. And yes, the color goes through the entire gelcoat layer. By rubbing it out you're essentially taking a few microns off the top of the gelcoat layer, making it thinner. If you opt for a power buffer, go slow and easy and don't spend too much time in one area.<br /> As for the rubbing - yes it'll take awhile, but the results are worh it and far less involved and less expensive than properly prepping it to repaint or re-gelcoat. <br /> As I mentioned - on mine it looks 100% better after about a half day of buffing out by hand. My arms ached, but it was worth it! If I had a power buffer I probably would have used that - but I don't have one...<br />- Scott

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

Try the thing about wet-sanding a spot before you use the rubbing compound. It might get the worst of it out of the way without too much elbow grease. You might even try using some 600 instead of the 1000-1200. Easy does it at first but bear down as it becomes necessary.

 

[nilshaldorsen]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

I am looking at a 1989 Rinker with a blue stripe and a gray stripe. Would this process also work on it to bring out the blue and gray? Thanks

 

[109jb]

Re: Faded Fiberglass Runabout...What's the Best Procedure?

This is a 5 year old thread. Try doing a search. There are plenty of threads about restoring gel coat.