Gelcoat Restoration

[rodrigue]

I have a 1982 Monarch McFast 17' Bass Boat that I'm gradually making repairs to (wiring, switches, areator, etc). The boat runs great (after I pulled, soaked, and cleaned the carbs) and had some major hull repairs within the past 10 years and doesn't take on any water. My next big step in appearance is to bring back the gelcoat luster. Don't know much about this process so any help would be appreciated from using off the shelf products to any home spun tribal knowledge. Here's a few details about the gelcoat;
1. The hull of the boat is a light beige solid color gelcoat and in good condition.
2. The upper half and interior of the boat is a bronze metal flake color gelcoat.
3. Due to direct sunlight over the past 27 years, the horizontal surfaces of the bronze metal flake gelcoat has faded very bad to the point where when you rub your hand over the surface you can feel the metal flake! The interior vertical surfaces are still smooth but have faded somewhat.
4. I can wet the surface or apply baby oil and the surface shine like new until it drys to a dull finish.

Is this too far gone? Can I clean & apply a sealant to bring back the luster? Please help. Thanks.

 

[picasso]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

has anyone tried to use that product "presto" i saw it on e-bay and i was wondering if its better than to just buff, polish and wax the traditional way. im trying to restore my gel coat also so i guess i have the same questions as posted. i did read a few past posts about using the 3m product with a good quality buffer. i just bought a buffer now i have to buy all the other goodies. i read hear like i need some foam pads and some buffing polishing agents. if someone could help out with exactly what i need i would appreciate it. i know its in here in the forum but im still new here so please bare with me thanks a bunch guys!!!!!!! Ty

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

Welcome to iboats.

There is no snake oil remedies, no shortcuts..... sorry

There are a bunch of people here that have restored even older finishes with good results.

Mark42 has an older MFG and he started his process by using comet and scrubbing, followed by a rubbing compound (by machine)..... he will pipe in and give you a few tips.

 

[picasso]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

ha ha gotcha thanks for the reply ill be aroung thanks again

 

[rodrigue]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

I stopped by my local West Marine and talked to them and all they could tell me was to use rubbing compound and a good fiberglass restorer. I asked about some type of sealer and didn't get anywhere. I guess there's no magical product out there to wipe on & off. Sounds like the only choice is manual labor.

 

[oops!]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

there is a product called farecla......

pronounced ....fair eck la...

it aint no snake oil.....it is a professional polishing compound. there is also a glaze you can use.

after an acid wash or really goos scrubbing with comet......apply the compound with a vari speed buffer.......not too fast , you dont want it tooo hot.

polish the side......the shine will come back up.

then apply the glaze in the same fashion.....it will last for another 2-4 years between deep polishing!

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

Poli-glow works but I would attempt to restore using elbow grease and maybe even wet sanding before i use it. I have it on my boat and other than having to reapply the stuff every 6 months it works great..

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

No amount of sanding or buffing will make the areas where you can feel the metal flake look good, the only possible solution is spraying clear over it and that may or may not look good after it done.

You might try a some rattle can clear on a small area and see what it looks like. Not a good solution, but there's a very small chance it may be work OK.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

Did you recently buy this boat in Lodi WI?

 

[picasso]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

im going to try using a variable speed buffer and use that 3m stuff mentioned in another thread and see how that works let u know how it comes out

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

If you're going to try it on the rough metal flake only do a very small area because the compounds and waxes will leave resdue that needs to be completely removed before anything else can be applied to that surface.

 

[bailz2002]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

I do paint and body work for a living and have done some work with the gel coats before including my boat now an old bomber marathon. The best and easiest thing i have found is to use automotive high density clear coat instead of trying to repair gel coat. Buffing will make it look better for awhile but it come back. If the flake is showing the clear coat is the only thing that will make it better and buffing on the exposed flake will actually hurt your finish more then help it. If you can spray this yourself and have a gun you could do this for probably ......50-75 bucks depending on what clear u choose. if you have to pay someone u could probably find a body shop or someone to spray it for 200-300 bucks. maybe less if you are lucky. Just spray it from the rails up, because i am not sure if prolonged submerged clearcoat on the hull would have any problems down the road. best time to do this is before replacing carpet just do to the easy factor of not having to worry about getting over spray on it.
good luck!

 

[picasso]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

my boat doesnt have any flakes in it. the hull is all white(a little faded) the pinn striping is red and the front splash guard soon to be red. Could i use the variable speed buffer with the buffing compound, polishing compond then wax(3m) im new to this so this is going to be hell

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

I have used Mark 42's process w/ success and have added a new twist to it. I used a product by Malco (Tru-Grit ultra cutting creme) it completely took out the scotch brite lines and left a like new finish the #7 compound works great as well but this product by far surpasses it if you can't find it their # is 330-753-0361 I only used 2oz out of a 8oz bottle and completely did the whole top of my 17.5 SeaRay and it to is white. Marks process does work and its cheap including buffer I only have about under 50 bucs in it not including elbow greese.
1. Clean hull surface and dry.
2. Scotch brite and comet (scrub until oxidation chaulk is gone)
3.Clean hull and dry.
4. Apply variable speed buffer w/ wool pad and #7 compound or cutting creme aplly w/ wet paint brush (great tip from Mark42) play w/ speed to get desired results but be carefull not to burn gel coat
5. Apply polish and or a wax.
6. Optional use a polishing compound between step 4&5 to remove tiny lines and swirls.
As Mark42 said in his thread the better the prep (scrubbing) the better the result will be and it's true.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

Due to direct sunlight over the past 27 years, the horizontal surfaces of the bronze metal flake gelcoat has faded very bad to the point where when you rub your hand over the surface you can feel the metal flake!

I don't think polishing works well on metal flake gel coats, especially when you can feel the metal flake.

You might want to try applying an acrylic coat that will bring back a nice shine. There is a product sold specifically for boats that comes with a scrub pad and acrylic liquid. Its basically the old "Future" floor wax with a jacked up price.

If you can find Future, apply two coats in a test area to see how well it coats and seals the metal flake. It holds up in the marine environment fairly well because it is only removed with amonia.

If you can't find Future, look in Home Depot or other home centers for Armstrongs CVT (composite vinyl tile) floor polish/wax. Its the same stuff as Future, but it does cost a little more. I have used it on my CVT tiles in the basement. Applied once a few years ago. Still shines after damp mop.

Someone else might have other suggestions.

 

[bailz2002]

Re: Gelcoat Restoration

If the gel coat is worn down to far, which most boats that old are. the gel coat just isn't there or isn't thick enough to buff out with any compound to make it look great. maybe better but not great. the only way to fix it right is to re-gel coat it(not recommended big pain) use an automotive clear coat (spray can not recommended you really need to have someone do it or by a spray gun cheap guns are fine you just might have some orange peel to sand and buff out). or some other type of acyrlic or enamel clear to add a new finish over what is left of the old one.
Personally having done some of this myself you can't beat the automotive clear coat for the money and durability. They have UV protection integrated, they give a nice hard finish, you can sand and buff out blemishes down the road and if you want you can sand and buff it to a mirror finish that will blind other boater from sun glare!!