Re: Pourous gelcoat?
Gelcoat is pourous by nature. It will eventually oxydize and you can't fully stop it. If not properly treated, the micro-pours will begin to enlarge. You want to make sure that a good compound (for use on fiberglass/gelcoat) is used. This will even out the surface as much as possible. You want to make sure you use compound and polish designed for fiberglass/gelcoat. Automotive stuff has different chemicles in them, and can dryout the gelcoat prematurely (which may be what you have). The was is just as important. Polishing is the first step though. Get the surface just how you like it, then apply a very good wax. Personally, I use the 3M products with a Makita wheel with the 3M polishing pad, and a Cyclo dual-orbital buffer to apply the wax. I use the 3M line of products including thier new wax that has scotchguard and UV inhibitors to help lenghten the life of the wax. In addition to that, through the summer I use Eagle "Wax-as-you-dry" when I wash my boat. You simply mist it on a wet boat, and dry with a chamois - no rubbing, no buffing. It has Carnuba wax in it, and it helps keep the 3M wax on, and maintains the luster all summer. Some people dont like using Carnuba products because it is a (micro) thick waxy substance that becomes sticky in the hot sun (not sticky to the human touch, but to micos and dirt). But I have found that it prolongs the 3M wax, and protects the surface. Plus, with the 3M base, any dirt simply washes away.
