Vertglas Gelcoat Restoration Kit

[ironmachineus]

Has anyone ever tried this product on white/chalky gelcoat? My boat is really losing it's luster, and wax just isn't keeping it shiny. Let me know your opinions, thanks!

[paulywood]

One of my friends used it on his brown Mariah and it looked great. He said that you really need to take your time and it will last all year. Takes all day if you do it right.

[lkmifisherman]

Wheel it first to get that chalky crap off then apply a good carnuba wax... It will last....

LMF :fish:

[salmon_slayer06]

I talked to a boat guy who fixes fiberglass and he said wet sanding the gel coat down a bit and repolishing it will take the dullness away, and take it takes off that sun worn chalky finish. I'd do this. Start with 400 wet, than 600, 800, 1000 and polish it with a wheel and wax. I'm sure if you looked through the web you'll find something on how to go about doing it.

[RSGS]

Speaking from experience, wet sanding is a last resort and should only be used when all else fails. And you better know what you are doing or you've just ruined your boats finish. 400 grit wet paper is way too aggressive for gel coat and 1000 is not fine enough to finish the job. For all the customer hull jobs I do, I have never found one that could not be brought back to 'like new' condition by using 3M Super Duty Rubbing compound and a wheel.

3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound (http://www.starmarinedepot.com/3M+Marine+Super+Duty+Rubbing+Compound.html)

This can be bought from West Marine, but they did not have a picture of it. Be careful to buy the material in the bottle like the picture, not the new bottle they use - there is a difference. This compound is amazing. It should be followed up with the 3M polishing compound, but this step can be omitted and a good Teflon (such as Interlux Premium Marine Wax) wax applied.

Interlux Premium Marine Wax (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/243980/377%20710/0/Interlux%20Premiumn%20Maine%20Wax/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Interlux%20Premiumn%20Maine%20Wax&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Interlux%20Premiumn%20Maine%20Wax&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=null&classNum=null)

If two coats are applied, you’re good for the season. Make sure you use a good wheel with variable speed control. Have two pads, one for application and one for buffing.

Work in a small section at a time. Apply the rubbing compound on a medium speed, working it up and down vertically until your work area is covered and then back and forth horizontally. I then switch to a clean pad, increase the speed and buff out.

[SabikiRig]

Remember Gel-Coat is pourous and can "hold" dirt and other stuff (Spider and Bird Dung.)

Before you start buffing/polishing make sure you give it a good wash. I have used a bunch of cleaners and nothing works as good as Roll-Off Cleaner. Which, you should be able to pick up at your local boat store.

The idea is to make sure you get the gel-coat cleaned up before turning yourself loose with the buffer.

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/BCC-0010.JPG

Keep your working area small and wet the boat with a hose, spray on some Roll-Off let it sit for a minute and brush with a soft bristle deck brush and rinse. After the boat is dry then start buffing/polishing.

If you are going to use a Variable Speed Buffer make sure you run it slow. Run it too fast and you will burn the Gel Coat.

If you do not have a Variable Speed Unit and need to rent one, Makita has a really nice Variable Speed Unit that works really well. I borrowed a friends considering I did want to buy one for $250.

Aside from the products that were already mentioned Collinite's Fleetwax works very well too. (Since it is almost pure carnuba wax)