fiberglass oxidation????

[stugots]

I have a 94 stingray I just bought used, and im GUESSING this is oxidation (sorry been out of boating for quite some time now) its a white chalk type film that only seems to go away for a split second when its wet then right back.

I have done research for 4 days now and all the oxidation removers say apply until you see the color of the fiberglass on your rag well I get THAT now when trying to use compound or wax so what does this mean?

So far the best thing I have tried believe it or not is black magic liquid wax.

so what am I dealing with here? is it oxidation? or is my clear/gel coat completly gone?

Thanks for the help in advance

 

[gcboat]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/01.htm

A good read for you.

 

[Frankiea87]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

hey i just recently did this with my boat.. it was HEAVILY oxidized... so bad that the boat is red but it looked white... it looked like complete SH*T. anyways the best way to get the original shine/color out is... go 2 autozone or whatever and buy rubbing compound....buff it in and it will shine right up like brand new fiberglass... then a little waxing and it will shine like no other- check out my pics.. before and after with just the rubbing compound

 

[stugots]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

WOW was that done by hand?

Also even tho the color comes off when I rub in compound am I still dealing with Oxidation?

 

[Frankiea87]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

yea sort of.. we did use a regular 18v drill with the buffing pad on the end but we used up the batteries pretty quick... so we did do it a lot by hand... we did not have a buffer but i suggest buying one for doing it.. arms hurt after a while hahaha try it out and let me see some before and after pics.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

I have heard that you can remove the oxidized gel coat with brillo pads and ajax.... Apply a heavy coat of wax afterwards to get the shine back. Saw pics of a boat this was done to and it looked good... Havent done it myself though...

 

[marine4003]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

I have heard that you can remove the oxidized gel coat with brillo pads and ajax.... Apply a heavy coat of wax afterwards to get the shine back. Saw pics of a boat this was done to and it looked good... Havent done it myself though...

Yea sure, and you can hunt cats with a bazooka....Dude,you are going to ruin the finish with ajax & brillo,get a good variable speed buffer..a 3M backer pad and some 3M Superduty rubbing compound...buff..buff...buff..then hit it with Finess-it also by 3M ..wash the boat GOOD..then wax with Collinite, Thats how you achieve a good long lasting shine,anything else is a waste of time.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

Yea sure, and you can hunt cats with a bazooka....Dude,you are going to ruin the finish with ajax & brillo,get a good variable speed buffer..a 3M backer pad and some 3M Superduty rubbing compound...buff..buff...buff..then hit it with Finess-it also by 3M ..wash the boat GOOD..then wax with Collinite, Thats how you achieve a good long lasting shine,anything else is a waste of time.

thats why i havent tried it myself... but the boat i saw did look good.

cat hunting with bazookas intrigues me... please go on. sounds like a sport i could get in to....

 

[marine4003]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

meow...meow...meow...BLAM!!!!

 

[bhammer]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

On an old boat, I tried several different methods as a last ditch effort.

The first try, I just used a good rubbing compound and a high speed wheel. This worked but took a long time to get through all the oxidation and took my pads out as well.

Second, I tried wet sanding with various grits and then buffing. This was faster but wore my arm out pretty quick.

Third, I used comet and a scotchbrite pad and then back over with rubbing compound.

I have to say that the third option, for me, worked the best and was the fastest weay to cut through it all. There are other articles on iBoats about the same method and it does work. I think the comet jsut takes down the oxidation real quick and you will have to use rubbing compund to get out the marks it leaves....

 

[stugots]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

so if im using compound by HAND and theres paint on the pad is my gel coat gone or is this normal?

 

[bhammer]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

so if im using compound by HAND and theres paint on the pad is my gel coat gone or is this normal?

It's normal as you remove the oxidation.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: fiberglass oxidation????

If the oxidation is bad wet sanding then buffing is the only way to go, otherwise you will be doing it again in a couple of months.