Gelcoat restoration

[Dbailey]

I have a 1980 Skeeter bass boat that i am trying to restore. The gelcoat has very heavy oxidation. I am trying rubbing compound with a buffer and getting some results, but I cannot get to the original color. Am I expecting too much? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Search this site for Pentrol...then go buy a quart of Marine Penetrol, about $12. No compounding, scrubbing or buffing...just a season long restoration of color, the darker the original color the better.

 

[Dbailey]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I did some checking on the internet and found that most sites describe oxidation as chalkiness on the hull. I am farily new at this, but problem is not chalk, but roughness. Running your hand across the finish feels almost like sandpaper. Is the penetrol still the way to go?

 

[38plymouth]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I tried the penetrol the other day on a faded cream or off white color. I can see the marks from rubbing it in. I think you have to get a somewhat smooth surface for it to work well. It says on the can that heavily oxidized fiberglass will need to taken care of with a different product first. I can't remember what it said the product was. I'm going to buff the boat and then try the penetrol again.

 

[2770]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

There is another product called Vertiglas.It is a system that when applied properly it works great.It takes you through the different steps to do it right.The penetrol does a good job in most cases but has to be reapplied often and it is hard to not get streak lines in it when applying.For a surface with a roughness or sandy feel to it you should try very fine wet sanding until smooth.This is similiar to a heavy duty compounding. cc

 

[5townsjoe]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I used Penetrol on my EXTREMELY oxydized gelcoat - and now the boat looks like new!!<br /><br />The trick is to apply the stuff as liberally is possible, without letting it drip. Apply it in long broad strokes, like you're painting the stuff on. Let it sit a few minutes and the wipe off the excess with the same long strokes. <br /><br />A nice coat of wax, and you're done - for this season, at least.<br /><br />- joe

 

[theboat]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I used Vertglass last year (7 coats).<br /><br />Pro:<br />It was fairly easy to apply and made the boat look brand new when it was done.<br /><br />Con:<br />$100 for my 32’ boat. It only lasted about half the season.<br /><br />This year I used Poly Glow.<br /><br />It was much cheaper, about $60. Easier to apply and looks as good as the vertglass. Lets see how it holds up. <br /><br />I’ll let you know next year.

 

[Dbailey]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Can someone give me a quick overview of the wet sanding process? One concern that I had with the rubbing compound is the fear of burning through the gelcoat. Would this not be a problem with the wet sanding? Thanks for any info.

 

[2770]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

You can definetely go through the paint/gelcoat by wet sanding but it is less likley.You will be wet sanding by hand and block so you control how hard or fast you sand.You can do a little and judge the difference.Go to an autobody supply and get the finest grit and the next three grit.determine which is doing what you need and finish whatever you do with the finest.A garden hose is a good way to keet the sanding wet and rinsed or you can just dip into a bucket.Usually you start with the third grit and work your way down finishing with the finest.Then try a polishing wax instead of the penetrol or vertiglas and see how it looks. CC

 

[Dbailey]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Thanks for the info... I am going to try it. Are there any warning signs that I should look for so as to not damage the gelcoat? Again, I have never tried anything like this before, so I am a little concerned. Thanks again.

 

[2770]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Gelcoat is usually pretty tough to go through.to be careful just do a little at a time or pick a spot on the lower part of the transom where you uaually cant see and practice there or sand a small part aggressivly to see what you can get away with.You can always cover the spot with a decal stripe if you go too far.Take your time and work in small sections and you should be fine.Let me know how you make out. CC

 

[Dbailey]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Thanks... It will probably be a while before I begin. I am rewiring my boat right now. I just wanted to do some research before I started. Thanks again for all the help.<br />Dustin

 

[Allen Henry]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I've been doing some wet sanding on my boat this spring and the way I've found that works best for me is to put a little liquid soap in a spray bottle and fill it with water. I then wet an area and start sanding. Try to keep the area wet as you sand and keep your fingers opposite of the direction you sand so you don't leave grooves in the gel coat. example: If your sanding motion is horizontal the have your fingers pointed vertically and viceversa. I sand in the same spot until it is smooth and then move down a little. A lot of work but I hope it will be worth it. <br /><br />GOOD LUCK,<br />trp251

 

[Dbailey]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

Trooper,<br />What do you plan to do after you have the hull sanded?

 

[Allen Henry]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

My plans are to buff with a light marine rubbing compound, I've been told not to use auto compound 'cause it turns white, and a polish both applied with a high speed buffer. I'm getting the process advise from a friend that has a boat shop here and I've seen some of the boat he has detailed that have come in very dull and left with a high shine, almost like new. <br /><br />Good Luck,<br />trp251

 

[ibrw1]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I just wanted to say thanks to all you guys, I read through your posts and learned much! Thanks.

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I hear FSR is good stuff,anybody use it?

 

[oops!]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

OLD THREAD

there is no miracle cure for oxidized hulls.
the only way to get rid of it permanantly is to re surface the gellcoat.

products like rainex and penetrol are good for a season at best. but if you want real results...you have to re surface the hull.
start with a 600 grit and sand till the paper is the color of the gell. then step up to an 800 then 1000 ...1200 and finally a 1500.....then dry buff the boat....then use a proper polishing compound like farecla.
and finally a wax or marine gellcoat protectant.

this whole process will take quite a few hours...but you wont have to worry about a chalky hull for years to come.

wet sanding it tedious and will leave scratch marks that will not come out....but dry sanding scratch marks will come out.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

I had good luck using compound, polish and wax. The results shown is from a test section and was hand applied.

 

[BrewcityVTX]

Re: Gelcoat restoration

OLD THREAD

there is no miracle cure for oxidized hulls.
the only way to get rid of it permanantly is to re surface the gellcoat.

products like rainex and penetrol are good for a season at best. but if you want real results...you have to re surface the hull.
start with a 600 grit and sand till the paper is the color of the gell. then step up to an 800 then 1000 ...1200 and finally a 1500.....then dry buff the boat....then use a proper polishing compound like farecla.
and finally a wax or marine gellcoat protectant.

this whole process will take quite a few hours...but you wont have to worry about a chalky hull for years to come.

wet sanding it tedious and will leave scratch marks that will not come out....but dry sanding scratch marks will come out.

Am I reading this correctly that you are suggesting dry sanding vs wet sanding? I'm new to this and just trying to figure out what I'm going to do about some of the oxidation on the red gel coat on my boat next spring. I want to do it the right way.