Help!?!?!?! Boat help needed!

[ProZAutoDetail]

Hello all,

I have detailed quite a few boats, although I like to stick to vehicles. I have a repeat customer of mine, and he has taken all the vinyl stickers off of the boat, like the name of the boat, company, and some design graphics. The gelcoat is pretty well oxidized, and where he took the stickers off, the boat was obviously protected from the sun, so you can blatantly see where the stickers were. Just wondering what advice any of you may have on how I can blend it all back together? I was thinking of just DA buffing it with some gelcoat restore product, but I don`t think that will completely do the trick..?

Any advice?

Thanks,

Zac

[VanityDetailing]

A D/A will not have enough "oomph" to get through gelcoat. When it comes to oxidized gelcoat, there`s a few things you need:



Rotary @ 2000-2500rpms

Wool pad

Heavy cutting compound (I prefer Meguiar`s Velocity MV81 Mold Release Compound)

Patience

Strong back and shoulders.





That`s what works best for me.

[ProZAutoDetail]

Yes, I figured I would have to get the Dewalt Rotary out, compound it, then polish and glaze it.

[salty]

Depending on how deep you want or have to go, sanding is a possible option.

[Greg Nichols]

If the gel coat is "pretty well oxidized" that oxidation will come back unless you strip it all off to new gelcoat, sanding is the best for this. You can also use Meg 81 or Megs 3 to help "hydrate" the gelcoat. Once the styrene starts to breakdown, you might be SOL. I don`t promise clients a whole lot when the gel coat is highly faded or chalky.



Cheers,

greg

[ProZAutoDetail]

Well, good and bad news, the owner didnt want anything done to it, strangely enough. There goes a nice chunk of change >

BUT at least now I don`t have to get involved with a 20 hour project on something that he wouldnt want to pay for anyways. Thanks for the advice guys!