Polishing Gel Coat on 86 Ranger

[MASTERBrian]

The gel coat on my old Ranger has seen better days, but I'm curious if there is any hope. The sides look pretty good, but the top rails are very rough, faded and the clear gel seems to be very thin, if not non-existant in some areas. I've tried polishing it out before, but didn't have much luck, then seem to recall posting somewhere and being told there isn't much I can do. Of course it is metal flake, like all the old bass boats and that doesn't help.....I'm actually thinking the flake is at or very near the surface on some areas.

Well, a friend, who owns an RV, has been telling me about some stuff he bought specifically to get rid of the oxidation on the gel coat and tonight he finally came over and did a small area on my boat. I must say, it does look much better and there is actually some shine, where it was dull before. With that, the top rails aren't perfectly smooth, which is why I question how much clear is left and if I'm down to the flakes. The stuff he is using is Gel-COat Labs Bow to Stern Vessel Care. He has the one step polish and sealant (2 items), but said you can buy another step that goes more aggressive.

Like I said, the little area he did in about 15 minutes tonight seems to look much better, but I question if I'm doing the right thing, if I buy some and try the entire boat. Has anyone else tried this or anything else on a metal flake boat that is heavily oxidized and possibly loosing the clear coat gel? Looking for tips and if I should indeed go forward or if I'm treading on dangerous waters!

Thanks!!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Polishing Gel Coat on 86 Ranger

Ya the metal flake really opens the pores of the gel coat, it expands and contracts at a different rate than the surface around it. That being said, I'd say the damage is done and there's little that will bring it back long term. Sanding will flatten it out but the pores will still be there and require constant sealing with wax to keep the gel moist. But I don't know of any other fix, you've got that failed metal flake gel under there and once the top coat fails, it's a dirt sponge. I'd sand it with #800-1200 grit and a hard buff with a wool pad followed by a good coat of wax. It will be respectable for maybe a year and you'll be doing it again. Metal flake sucks when it's been neglected too long, not much brings it back once the flakes make it to the surface.

 

[MASTERBrian]

Re: Polishing Gel Coat on 86 Ranger

Thanks for the idea to sand it down. I had some 600 wet sand, and I hit a small area with it, then followed with some 3M Finess It Rubbing Compound and it made a night and day difference. Based on that I then went and got some 1000 and 1200 grit paper.

Right now I have all hardware stripped off and one half of the top deck wet sanded with 600 to get smooth, then I follow quickly with 1000, then 1200 and have followed up with the 3M Coumpound. After that the surfaces that before felt like 220 grit paper are now glass smooth and shine as much as the surfaces that were hidden under equipment all of these years. The only difference is some fading, which obviously can't be fixed. Once I get the entire boat sanded and the 3M applied, I will finish off with the gel-coat polish and seal and try to stay on top of it!

This looks like a different boat!! Now to get some metal flake from Ranger to fill in a few battle scars from where the boat's gotten knocked around on unfriendly docks over the years...

Thanks again for the idea of the sandpaper, didn't think that was safe before!

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Polishing Gel Coat on 86 Ranger

3m compound followed by finesseit. Then USE NUFINISH TOPCOAT! its amazing and runs circles around anything marine specific. It's not a wax but a synthetic polymer. Seals in your hard work. Lasts longer than wax, and is cheaper. Sounds too good to be true, nut I can attest, its almost unbelievable. Keep up on the Nufinish, and you will be pleased.