Autopia.org - View Single Post - Struggling with my gelcoat, looking for advice!!

1988wellcraft21 · 04-15-08, 08:54

Hi all! Just joined the forum looking for some advice...

I have a 1988 Wellcraft (hence my username! so clever), with a red hull over white. As you can see from the photos, the red has loads of oxidation. The past several days, I've been spending TONS of time and effort (and $$) trying to even this out and restore the color and gloss. I've been focusing on the port side only, hoping I'll perfect my technique for the startboard side and cut my work time down accordingly.

Here's what I've tried...
- Wetsanding with 600, then 1200.
- Then, compound using 3M Super Duty Compound
- Then, polish using GelCoat Labs fine cut polish (from properboatcare.com)

Doing this all with a 1750 RPM, 11amp rotary buffer (Milwaukee 5460-6). Also using Wool compounding pad for the compound, and a softer wool pad for the polish. I have foam pads, but I haven't tried those yet (difference?).

Here's what I've accomplished... There's certainly a big improvement, but my current state is very uneven. There's areas of nice color, mixed with areas of splotchy oxidation. It doesn't look right. I'm terrified to wet sand too much and wear out the gel coat... is this a real risk? Should I wet sand differently? Different grits of sandpaper? So many variables!

I've included some pictures. First, the shots of where she stands now, after what I've done above.

And here's a couple shots of the starboard side, so you see what I'm up against...

I'd really appreciate any advice, thanks for looking!

04-15-08, 08:54	#1 (permalink)
1988wellcraft21 Registered User 1988wellcraft21 is offline Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7	Struggling with my gelcoat, looking for advice!! Hi all! Just joined the forum looking for some advice... I have a 1988 Wellcraft (hence my username! so clever), with a red hull over white. As you can see from the photos, the red has loads of oxidation. The past several days, I've been spending TONS of time and effort (and $$) trying to even this out and restore the color and gloss. I've been focusing on the port side only, hoping I'll perfect my technique for the startboard side and cut my work time down accordingly. Here's what I've tried... - Wetsanding with 600, then 1200. - Then, compound using 3M Super Duty Compound - Then, polish using GelCoat Labs fine cut polish (from properboatcare.com) Doing this all with a 1750 RPM, 11amp rotary buffer (Milwaukee 5460-6). Also using Wool compounding pad for the compound, and a softer wool pad for the polish. I have foam pads, but I haven't tried those yet (difference?). Here's what I've accomplished... There's certainly a big improvement, but my current state is very uneven. There's areas of nice color, mixed with areas of splotchy oxidation. It doesn't look right. I'm terrified to wet sand too much and wear out the gel coat... is this a real risk? Should I wet sand differently? Different grits of sandpaper? So many variables! I've included some pictures. First, the shots of where she stands now, after what I've done above. And here's a couple shots of the starboard side, so you see what I'm up against... I'd really appreciate any advice, thanks for looking!