Photos. Is the gel coat shot or can it be restored

[Gun Dog]

Hi Folks, I'm new to the site. It's a great forum and has helped answer many questions. Attached are some photos of the metallic gel coat on my Cajun bass boat. Can the scratches be rubbed out or should I sand them out? Also below the water line, the surface of the paint is covered with white spots. Has the gel coat been breached or can it be cleaned up? I've tried rubbing compound on a small area and it seemed to lighten up the spots but did not remove them. Should I use a more aggressive method of removal? Thanks

 

[Gun Dog]

I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I have many round white spots below the water line. Looks like oxidation but I don't think so. I've used rubbing compound on a section and it fades the spots out but the faded spots look like they are still below the surface. When I feel the surface I just rubbed out it feels like there are small smooth dimples on the surface. Any ideas? Is the gel shot?
Photos:

 

[Bondo]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Ayuh,... I donno if that gelcoat is savable or not...

Personally,... I'd sand, fair, resand, 'n Paint it....

 

[JWebber]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Boat in fresh water of salt? The small white skratches or paint marks look doable. The white ashy scale under the hull does it scrape off with your finger nail or is it imbedded into the gelcoat? If the white scale looking stuff scrapes off try using starbrtie hull cleaner, its a acid type product so wear gloves. Do you also have a buffer wheel?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Go to the grocery and get some Sno-Bowl cleaner and a pair of rubber gloves. Apply with a scrub brush. Rinse off, get some buffing compound and a buffer. YOu can rent one. Buff it. If it comes back, you're good, if not then....??????????

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

It's a fresh water boat, Once or twice in the lower delaware river. The white is not scaly but does come off (somewhat) with my thumbnail. Some of the white stays behind but is faded. In the one photo those are scratches and are not very deep. I have a 8" auto buffer. The right photo, small spot in corner, is where I rubbed then polished it out. But as you can see it does not all come out.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Dog,

Get yourself some good hull cleaner that contains some oxilic acid and scrub the entire hull very well. Rinse and let dry. Once it's dried then get your self a good boat rubbing compound and a buffer and go at it...carefully. After the buffing componud use a good boat polish and then finally a good boat wax. It should come back pretty well. I think most folks here use either 3M or Maquires marine products.

 

[JWebber]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I see, get a acid hull cleaner get as much scale off, then rense off. Then hit it with a good round wheel buffer and a scrub pad with compound; then wax buff that sucker until you see your future arm muscles in it. Good luck!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Sno Bol Cleaner HAS Oxalic Acid and Works GREAT!!!!!

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I'm going to try both sno bol and the 3m cleaner to see which one works best, I hope the sno bol doesn't mess up the gel coat. Whats the difference between automotive rubbing compounds and marine compounds? It supposed to snow here tomorrow I might not get to it this weekend but will post the after photos.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Well one of our PROS on here the Yacht Doctor recommends using SnoBol cleaner and he is one of our Experts when it comes to Gelcoat so I don't think it's gunna hurt the Gelcoat any more than it already is.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I'm not going to question the pros. They have the experience. Do you think this condition compromised the Gelcoat?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Well, I'm NOT a Gelcoat expert like the Yacht Doctor but... I do know that MetalFlake Gelcoat is some wicked stuff and I would NEVER mess with it. I will let the Yacht Doctor advise you on how to repair it if it can be. I do KNOW that the cleaning method has been recommended here on iBoats before.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Thanks! Yacht Doctor what do you think?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

This thread slipped by me lol..

Oxalic acid removes rust ( iron oxide ) .. not scum. Yes snow bowl has oxalic acid .

You can also try CLR ( calsium lime rust ).

However.. You should determine if the Clear coat is still on Before you start messing around with acids.

When you put water on it does the white go away ? or basically stay the same.. ?

YD.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

When I just wet it it stays white. If I rub it with a wet cloth it starts to wash out but not all the way. Thanks Yacht Dr.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Do you think the Clear is still on there ? or are the metallics exposed to water ... ?

Basically are you buffing Clear..or are you buffing/inbedding compound into the flake itself..

If there is No clear over the gel..or the flake has been comprimised .. then your looking at a full repaint ( If the flake is exposed ).

YD.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

Re: I don't want to make the same mistake as Matty

I can't feel any flakes and no flakes are coning off in the buffing pad. It does not feel rough. However the white does not seem buff out completely. When I finish buffing I can feel what seems to be dimples in the finish. Kind of like those that are in a golf ball but only very shallow.