Hull Dyed

I recently purchased a 1989 Gemini 179 DCX, the boat has been sitting for about 9 yr's, the hull which is supposed to be white has apparently been dyed by the maroon factory cover that was on the boat, I have tried several aggressive 3M rubbing compounds and the only result of those is it made it brighter. Please HELP !!!!

Re: Hull Dyed

I think you could compound until your arm falls off and it won't make a diff. The problem is probably that the dye has soaked into the hull which means it runs deep. You MIGHT be able to bleach it out.

Re: Hull Dyed

I would start by trying hull cleaner. It's pretty powerful stuff, though it almost sounds like the glass itself has been died. If that fails, take a look at vinyl boat wraps - think city buses. I am considering changing my hull sides from white to black, and with the vinyl option I don't think you get nearly as much fading and/or oxidation. It is also less expensive than new gelcoat. A mechanic buddy of mine was telling me about a local shop that did this for one of his clients. If I remember, it was a low 30' range race boat and was a full wrap, not just hull sides. I think he said the charge was like $2500-3000 including full custom graphics. Since marine vinyl is typically priced by the SF, I would think you would be looking at a whole lot less.

Re: Hull Dyed

dsiekman said:

I would start by trying hull cleaner. It's pretty powerful stuff, though it almost sounds like the glass itself has been died. If that fails, take a look at vinyl boat wraps - think city buses. I am considering changing my hull sides from white to black, and with the vinyl option I don't think you get nearly as much fading and/or oxidation. It is also less expensive than new gelcoat. A mechanic buddy of mine was telling me about a local shop that did this for one of his clients. If I remember, it was a low 30' range race boat and was a full wrap, not just hull sides. I think he said the charge was like $2500-3000 including full custom graphics. Since marine vinyl is typically priced by the SF, I would think you would be looking at a whole lot less.

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Do yourself a favor, get references and talk with the owners. Not the ones who got it done last week, but owners that had the wrap on over an extended period of time.

I've experienced the wonders of the not so durable wrap first hand and I know several other who are less than enamored by the long terms results of a wrap. If you're going to change the color of your boat, nothing beats a good Ameron paint job

Re: Hull Dyed

dingbat said:

Do yourself a favor, get references and talk with the owners. Not the ones who got it done last week, but owners that had the wrap on over an extended period of time.

I've experienced the wonders of the not so durable wrap first hand and I know several other who are less than enamored by the long terms results of a wrap. If you're going to change the color of your boat, nothing beats a good Ameron paint job

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Good advice. I'll do that!

Re: Hull Dyed

before sanding........i really dont think the the dye from a tarp (by the way...its because the po never washed the tarp) would penetrate gellcoat !...ggellcooat is a really, tough non pourous surface.

acetone is a miracle clean of gellcoat.........and what acetone wont take off.......laquer thinner will !

Re: Hull Dyed

........i really dont think the the dye from a tarp (by the way...its because the po never washed the tarp) would penetrate gellcoat !...ggellcooat is a really, tough non pourous surface.

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Gelcoat is porous and aged gelcoat, like on the bottom of his boat, is like a sponge.

Red dye has an intense staining capacity on porous surface. Doubt your going to get it out with a chemical concoction.