how long can you expect buffing to last?

[Lou C]

OK here's something I brought up in another thread and am starting a new thread to ask about. How long can you reasonable expect a boat that was badly oxidized to stay looking good after either buffing and polishing or even wet sanding if needed first? My 88 FW is unfortunately red and badly oxidized. When I bought it they PO had wetsanded and buffed and it looked great for a while...then it got bad again and I had a detailer do it...same thing oxidized again...finally I did it last year using a Makita dual mode buffer polisher and Gelcoat Labs compound, polish and sealant (not wax). Same result. So to me is seems like the only way to make it look good and stay good is paint, any thoughts? I'd love to be able to save the gel because it does of course have advantages over paint, plus the cost of painting if you can't do it yourself....

 

[Bondo]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

Same result. So to me is seems like the only way to make it look good and stay good is paint, any thoughts?

Ayuh,.... I completely agree,...

The only way to save badly oxidized gelcoat is bury it under Paint...

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

I hear ya! Just curious Do you store your boat in the sun ? Mine sits on a trailer and the sunny side hazes over in no time.. I think the next storage cover I buy is gonna be WAY oversized to keep the sun off.

 

[Lou C]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

Yes it's on a mooring for 6 months of the year and then on the trailer...the winter cover only goes to just below the rub rail....
I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and at least get it painted from the rub rail down (red) above that there is a grey strip that will probably come back and above that white...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

You could try buffing again..but this time dont put any wax or sealant on there. See if that lasts longer.

When your buffing..you are getting red on your pad right ?

YD.

 

[Lou C]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

You could try buffing again..but this time dont put any wax or sealant on there. See if that lasts longer.

When your buffing..you are getting red on your pad right ?

YD.

oh yeah, on the pad for sure....the Makita dual mode is a nice machine...too bad my results aren't better...if I try it again....I might switch to the 3M Imperial rubbing compound, then Finesse It after that to polish....maybe I'll try a small spot and let it sit over the winter and see how it ages....

 

[cpt ron jc]

Re: how long can you expect buffing to last?

my boat is 1990,max 21 cuddy,the gel coat needs to be brought back,i have worked on some areas looks good ,its a lot of work buffing with compound,i have been reading up on gel chem,there is a kit that sells for 50-75 dollars,they claim you wash ,apply this stuff and presto it brings gelcoat back to shine it supposed to last 1-2yrs,has anyone tryed this stuff out,it shows before and aft pictues check it out type in gel coat restoration,DOES IT WORK or is it a waste.