Restoring Gelcoat

[Rich]

Probably been covered 100 times, but what the heck... I'm too lazy to search..

Looking for opinions on how to restore and clean older gelcoat. The boat looks pretty good, I scraped the old reg numbers and there is a dramatic difference with what was uncovered. I have the tools necessary for the job, just looking for suggestions on what brands of restorer/cleaner to try. 3M, Poly-Glow, etc.

I just want to clean it up before I drop it in the drink.

Thanks.

[Capt Chuck]

Rich

I have had good luck with the 3M Perfect-it III compound. Use the extra cut and then the finishing polish last. Mike @ Wildfire Marine gave me the heads up on this stuff. Work it in on slow speed until it hazes and then finish @ 1500 rpms. Then final spit & polish with the finishing paste. Get the feel and desired look first on the transom

[Rich]

Thanks Capt Chuck. I'll give it a try.

[Bushwacker]

I'm trying the Poly-Glo on mine. Appears to be much less work and is supposed to last longer than wax, according to Powerboat Reports. Will post some pics after I try it.

[Bushwacker]

Here are some before and after shots after using Polyglow on hatch, cabin top & sides. It's MUCH easier than waxing, and the gloss is better than I expected! Just apply the liquid to the chamois in the kit and wipe the surface. Wait a minute or so for it to dry, and then apply another coat. I put on a total of 6 coats. Can put on a couple more coats after 6-12 months. PowerBoat Reports says it'll last a year in the S. Fla. sun, so we'll see.

The kit contains a very strong cleaner and a white 3M scrubbing pad that will take off dirt & oxidation (and the Polyglow coating!) so need to start at top and work down to avoid spots from the cleaner. Surface needs to be really clean because whatever is on it will be there for a year or more after coating! The milky-looking stuff is evidently a clear urethane coating, similar to clear coat used on cars these days. Although I've waxed the hull several times, I have never waxed the cabin top or hatch in the 32+ years I've owned this boat, since folks occasionally walk on it with wet feet and I was concerned about slips & falls. No one has slipped in all that time, and as you'd expect the gelcoat is fairly porous and just about worn thru, so time to either protect it or paint it, and I'd rather USE the boat than spend time painting it!
Have only done the hatch in this shot, so you can see how dull the gel coat is.
Here I've done the whole cabin top. I'm amazed at the difference. Seems to work just like clearcoat on a car. The color also now matches unfaded gel coat on instrument panel.
Decided to go ahead and do the entire deck including non-skid area. It now has some gloss but non-skid is still effective.
Here's a shot of cockpit coaming and pedestal seat after coating. These areas have been kept waxed over the years. Gloss is very good in these areas. Had not coated the side deck in this shot and that was a mistake; should have done it at same time as coaming because I got some spots on coaming when I cleaned the side deck! It also helps to have a tack rag handy to pick up anything that gets on surface between coats.

Need to redo bootstripe next so I can coat the hull. Think I will try Signature paint, Chuck. The Interlux Interpoly I used about 1990 hasn't held up too well. Denny

[Gary Hill]

I've read about poly glow, but is it only on line or can you find it in boating stores?

[Bushwacker]

I got the kit from local Boat Owners Warehouse for about $60; BOW has a web site from which you could probably order it. You can also call poliglow at 800-922-5013, who should be able to provide name of nearest dealer or sell it to you directly. They're located about 60 miles from here in Ft. Pierce, Fl.

[OFFSHORESYSTEM]

i have a fiberglass shop on the cape and do a lot of gelcoat work i use cut and buff from aqua tech its like a gritty tooth paste then compound and polish lot of work but the results are worth it.