Faded gel coat

[jeffandtat]

Have a white 225 hp Johnson ocean runner. That sat in the sun for a long time and one side is faded and cracked on the letters and gel coat. What's the best way to bring back that glossy gelcoat look?

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Faded gel coat

Is the gelcoat cracked or just the lettering?

 

[chadderkdawg]

Re: Faded gel coat

Have a white 225 hp Johnson ocean runner. That sat in the sun for a long time and one side is faded and cracked on the letters and gel coat. What's the best way to bring back that glossy gelcoat look?

Go down to your local auto/marine parts store, get a bottle of rubbing compound, an orbital polisher and a few bonnets. I used turtle wax rubbing compound and a couple rags, but I only have a 15 footer... A few hours, a case of your favorite brew, and a lot of elbow grease will shine that bad boy right up. Post some before and after pics!

 

[jeffandtat]

Re: Faded gel coat

The letters are cracked and the gel coat is faded......

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Faded gel coat

What's the best way to bring back that glossy gelcoat look?

Hire a pro ..

YD.

PS. Just the cowel ? or the boat ?

PSS. Pics ??

 

[aspeck]

Re: Faded gel coat

Vertglas worked great for me. If you buff out the fad and it comes right back, you are in a loosing battle unless you treat. I needed to buff my boat (red) out about every other week, regardless of sun or shade. Used the vertglas, takes some rubbing effort to prep, but easy to apply, about 4 or 5 years ago and it is still looking good.

 

[oops!]

Re: Faded gel coat

hire a pro ..

Yd.

baaaa haaaaa haaaaa

oops says rubbing his hands togeather.

it sounds like your gellcoat is oxidised.....it could either be a re surface (sand at 400 and continue thru 1500 then polish)
or just a good cut polish. usually a good cut will stop it for a season. but a good re surface will last years.

there is no snake oil for this job.....just elbow grease.

 

[Dzrtcj7]

Re: Faded gel coat

baaaa haaaaa haaaaa

oops says rubbing his hands togeather.

it sounds like your gellcoat is oxidised.....it could either be a re surface (sand at 400 and continue thru 1500 then polish)
or just a good cut polish. usually a good cut will stop it for a season. but a good re surface will last years.

there is no snake oil for this job.....just elbow grease.

I agree ... Try just buffing it with a good buffer/ polisher (Not a walmart orbital buffer) first. I use Meguires Diamond Cut compound. If buffing doesn't get through the oxidation, sand with 1000/ 1500 grit, then buff. Still not getting it; try 800/1000/1500 grit then buff. Work your way down 200 grit at a time, each time stepping back up to 1500 grit and polishing, until you get the finish you are looking for. I wouldn't recommend going any more aggressive than 400 grit or you'll never get all the sanding scratches out.

If you need any more pointers, please feel free to PM me. I've got a lot of hours in recently bringing a faded gelcoat back.

 

[towers]

Re: Faded gel coat

Having worked on sailboats for a lot of years I found rubbing out the faded parts with denatured alcohol will remove much of the oxidation. After that, a quick polish job. I'd try that before pulling out all the buffing pads.

Good luck!