Faded Gelcoat fix ??

[stripminer]

I recently pulled the large graphics off of my 1988 steplift. They were getting real tired and scratched. The boat looks great without them, real clean lines but you can see where they had been due to 16 years of oxidation. Do you think I can overcome the faded / clean decal patches of gelcoat ? any help would be appreciated.

- Tom

[Mac_Attack]

There is a post somewhere here that tells you how. Basically wet sand with 600 grit and then rub out and wax. I removed the sharks on my boat and did the above, it turned out real nice. Bill Mc

[garbubba]

I read it here too & that's the ticket - I took "My Calypso" off the side of the boat & it kept coming back,, until I wet sanded with 600 grit & then I used 3m's (restore?) it's polishing compound & wax in 1.

That did the trick.


Doug

[stripminer]

Hey fellas,, thanks for the info. One question,,, wet sanding,, a hose and some 600 grit or is it a machine that does it ?

[Mac_Attack]

Just a bucket of water. Dip the paper in the water and sand the wet surface. Keep rinsing the paper as you go. Bill Mc

[stripminer]

fellas,

Now I'm really worried. I wet sanded the hull and in my professional opinion it looks like crap. There are all kinds of random swirls and it looks reall dull in places. I used some rubbing compound on one side so far and while it looks better I'm still worried.

Will a good waxing alleviate my fears or have I leaned too hard into my old gelcoat and worn it off in spots. I did it by hand and tried to use a light stroke.

- Tom

hey tom,
trust me on this one ;D if the gelcoat is not too far gone or even if it is this will make it shine. after you used the 600 you have to wet sand with 1200 then 1500 it will shine........try just a 2by 2ft section. if you want, also after the wet sanding buff it out with rubbing compond then wax............no one said it would be easy.......but it will shine. ken

[stripminer]

Well,, I leaned into her with a random orbit polisher using rubbing compound ( 3M ). She looks MUCH better already.
I still have some random swirls up front near the flare so I may re-sand there with the 600 Grit and then buff it again.
Let me tell you the $50.00 spent on the buffer at Home Depot was worth every penny!

-Tom

[bigshrimpin]

strip - glad to hear that everything worked out for you!! which polisher/buffer did you end up with?

[stripminer]

Oh I went top of the line with the Home Depot version named the "Waxman". :P It may not be super expensive but she works pretty good so far !!