Faded gel-coat?

[buzz465]

I have a bass boat, I guess it's like a metal flake surface, (new to boats) and the surface is chalkey in a lot of areas. How can I bring an even shine. Is it heavy oxidation.

 

[oops!]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

lol.....here we go !

the mention of the "V" word.....will not be allowed in this thread.....lol

the clear gellcoat on your boat is oxidising and must be removed.

this can be done by either compound polishing, (works for a while) or re finishing...by sanding.

to compound polish...get a proper gelcoat compound.....dont use auto stuff....that is for cars and paint....this is not a car, and it is not paint.

3m makes a good compound.

using a rotary buffer....buff the carp out of it....

then use a good finishing compound.

to assure your self of results.....a good sanding with 600 grit on an orbital sander will take a weekend, but it will last for years.

just sand enough to get the oxidisation off.....dont go into the flake.

after the 600...go 800 then 12--then 15....then polish with a finishing polish.

 

[buzz465]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Thanks for the info. Do I wet sand with the sandpaper first, then use a compound? All of the sanding is done with orbital sander?

 

[oops!]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

if you wish to wet sand.....you can.....i dont.

sand......then compound polish.

a standard finishing sander orbital or vibrating (not the long flat wood ones) from harbour freight will be fine.

 

[buzz465]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Thanks again. I will give it a try tommorrow.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Bass Boat ?

If you have Gel flake then it will depend on the condition of the Clear.

Got pics ?

YD.

 

[buzz465]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Sorry, was off PC. Please forgive me, I really don't know what you mean. All I know is that , when I run my hand across the boat, there is no roughness. I don't have pics, but will try and put some on here. I know this doesn't mean anything, but when the boat has water on it, it looks good, of course I guess most boats do. Can you tell me exactly how the finsh is put on a boat? Is the metal flake mixed with gel, then is it clear coated, I don't know. You sound like you've been around boats along time,and I appreciate your advice. Thanks

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Boat mold is sprayed first with clear gelcoat. Then with polyflake mixed with clear gel coat. Then with a colored gel coat to enhance the poly flake color. Then laminated. Your boat was built from the outside in. The layer you are working on was the first layer applied during manufacture. The above are all good tips. After sanding with 1200 (I just do 600 and 1200) I use 3M Perfect it II to bring back the shine and then a good grade of auto wax couple times a year to protect the finish. Sometimes just using the Perfect it will do the job with no prior sanding. It just depends on how bad the oxidation is. Your problem is caused by UV from the sun. Auto wax had UV inhibiters in it that will help protect it but go away in time hence the need to keep rewaxing it just like your car.


I'm new, what's the "V" word?

 

[buzz465]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Thanks. Where would I get the 3m Perfect II? I don't have a clue what the "V" word means. Thanks for your help.

 

[buzz465]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

Also. Do I still need to use orbital sander? Thanks

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

You can sand it by hand with a block if you want to (that is possibly the best (safest)way for the inexpierenced). Just make sure whatever you use that you keep it FLAT on the surface, no fingertip sanding or tipping the sander up on edge. The first layer of clear gel before the flake is probably only about 12-14 mils cured thickness. You do not want to go through that and expose any polyflake. Get 3M products at most auto parts stores, but there are other polishing compounds that work well to. They will have them at your local marina or boat dealer. One more thing, keep the polishing machine moving when you get to that stage, don't heat up the surface.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Faded gel-coat?

The "V" word is Vaseline. It is commonly used to try and restore the shine to badly oxidized boats as a "Quick Fix". It does "Appear" to work for a time, but causes more problems than it's worth, IMHO!!