Oxidized gelcoat makeover (Pics)

[glen e]

OK – in all the conversations here about what to use, I have finally narrowed it down to how to get rid of oxidation and make gel coat look like the day it was delivered from the showroom. I have purposefully left out all the how to for waxing because once you get the gel coat to be perfectly mirror like, you can put what ever you fancy to keep it shinning – even by hand as far as I’m concerned.

So if your boat is like mine and 3 – 6 years old and well kept but needing a rejuvenation or “correction” as the detailers call it, read on. After buying several polishes and compounds, here is the easiest things I found to get the boat jewel like. Certainly you mileage may vary and yes others work as well, but this worked perfectly on my boat and my neighbor’s boat.

The key is a rotary and wool pads – they make practically any compound work and I have tried about 6 of them. It can be done with an orbital but it will take HOURS vs MINUTES with a rotary. And it need not be expensive. Harbor Freight has a rotary for 39 bucks and if you do this once a year, you can throw it away annually and still be way ahead of a professional detailer’s bill.

So as you can see from the photo here are the things I used. The Duragloss/compound and polish formulations for FG are extremely powerful and mistake proof. Notice the small wool pad, the extender and the backing plate for the rotary – let’s you get everywhere the big pad can’t.



And all it takes is a pass or two to bring the gelcoat back quickly. The tape is to tape off speakers, etc…I removed all my bolsters to do it right. The foam pads are for using the compound (561) on molded pieces like strakes, ridges, etc..

Work in 3 sq foot sections – one or two passes across and then a few down….put the product on the pad. Once you make a few passes with these products, buff off and seal /wax with what ever you like. I like the Ultima sealant pictured here – no buff off.

So here is the side of the boat and the bolster removed – showing virgin gelcoat….the bottom is after the above process…virtually no difference.


All these products avail here.

[Todd@RUPES]

Thanks for sharing Glen, looks great!

[BobbyG]

Glen,

The post is indeed impressive.

I was actually shocked at the mirror like shine and had no idea a gelcoat could even be brought to such a gorgeous shine.

I see you`re a fan of Duragloss products. Many here are and while I have a few I think I need to broaden my Duragloss horizon...

Nice work Glen!!

[rider9195]

Very nice job Glen. Shows that just with a couple of products and tools and of course skill you can knock almost anything out.

[glen e]

Glen,

The post is indeed impressive.

I was actually shocked at the mirror like shine and had no idea a gelcoat could even be brought to such a gorgeous shine.

I see you`re a fan of Duragloss products. Many here are and while I have a few I think I need to broaden my Duragloss horizon...

Nice work Glen!!

Thank you sir....
I don`t how much I`m a fan of duragloss- this just looked like a good gelcoat "twins" like you guys talk about wolfgang, etc...I bought another gelcoat compound that could replace the DG 561, as it worked well too:

Meguiar`s M6732 Marine One-Step Compound

and cheaper as it`s 32 oz....I did like the duragloss polish a lot ...

[Marc08EX]

Hey Glen, fellow M8G member!

You did a great job making your gelcoat look like new. The reflection shot is top notch!

How do gelcoats react to polishing? Is it like single stage paint where you pull off color?

[SS 07C70]

That shine is great, you did a great job on that boat!

[mwtaco]

Wow. that looks great. I don`t have a boat to try myself, but makes me want to try it on my bathtub.

[glen e]

Hey Glen, fellow M8G member!

You did a great job making your gelcoat look like new. The reflection shot is top notch!

How do gelcoats react to polishing? Is it like single stage paint where you pull off color?

no..not really.... it is VERY HARD - much harder than paint and there is nothing to "burn" - you just bear down and work it...that`s why the majority of auto compinds and Orbitals don`t work - you truly need "rocks in a bottle" and high speed (>2000 rpm) If it`s real bad, many go to 400 grit paper and start there....