How to clean an oxidized gel coat

[arnaud036]

I have recently purchase a boat that have been sitting at a marina for over 4 years. I started to power wash the non-skid deck but after watching a bunch of Youtube videos, I am now a little confused on the next step to remove the oxidized gel-coat and to protect it. What do you think the next step should be and your product recommendation?

 

[Chris1956]

That does not look like oxidation. I would use some bleach on it, and let it sit, as it looks like some sort of mildew.

If that doesn't work, use some stronger cleaner (no grit), until it comes off.

The strongest stuff seems to be Mary-Kate On and Off, which is 3 kinds of acid plus alcohol.

Usually white gelcoat doesn't oxidize much. Dark colored gelcoat oxidizes the most.

 

[Chris1956]

You might try some Purple stuff. It is an alkaline cleaner. Castrol makes the Name Brand version. Others make generic version. Both work on lots of stains.

 

[arnaud036]

Apologizes, I am very inexperienced about boats and terms. Thank you for your help. We bought the Star brite non skid cleaner, I will give it a try this weekend then I will try bleach and acid as you suggested if this is not enough.

 

[AShipShow]

Agreed, it looks like mildew. However, if its been sitting un-cared-for for 4 years, you still probably do have some amount of oxidation... After you remove the mildew, it would still be a good idea to give the hull a good buffing with some oxidation remover (I personally like the meguiar's brand oxidation remover). It will get rid of any oxidation and then you can give a good coat of wax and you should be all set. If you don't remove the oxidation that is there, it will continue to degrade the gelcoat. You need to put down wax to prevent further oxidation.

 

[chevymaher]

I watched all the videos I could. And read 10X more on gel coat restoration.

Deal is it is mildew bad into the chalky badly oxidized gel coat. Good news is it is white and easier to do. It has yellowed trust me. Find a place where the sun couldn't hit lift it off. Wow completely different color.

Every body got their own spin on this. I used all car materials from my chevelle except for the wax and it still is as shiney as a show car AKA the chevelle in the garage next to it.

First pic looks like yours. Second Just simple green and a kitchen sponge using the green side. Hours of scrubbing. Last shot. Sanded 600 1000 1500 3000 Mequires ultra cut on a buffer. Then Aredex ocean polymer.

And to anyone talking out the side of their necks about better products. Park your boat next to mine and lets just see. 3 years looks exactly like the day I did it. And ocean polymer is the easiest wax to apply and rub off bar none I ever used. Sorry we been here before there are some rude ones here.

Sir make your own call. I be here if you need help.

 

[arnaud036]

Thanks for you answers, it's very helpful. Once I am done scrubbing which means having a boat as white as the wedding dress of my wife Should I still have this chalky feeling when touching the gel-coat? If yes, will go away once I am done using meguiar's brand oxidation remover or done waxing? When should I consider wet sanding the boat?

 

[chevymaher]

It is your boat. Once you scrub it real good the chalky feeling is mostly gone. Hit it with a buffer and rubbing compound. Chalky is gone. It will be discolored still but with nothing to compare it to it is fine. Then wax it and keep it waxed. I do mine twice a year. In the fall to put it away and in the spring. Once a year is recommended by the wax I use.

I dont think you need to sand the way your talking. I think you would be happy if it was just smooth and shiney. Only issue I see is if you change registration numbers or move a stcker. Then it will be clear it is oxidized because of the ghost image. You got to sand to get out.

 

[arnaud036]

What kind of compound, polish and wax pads are you guys using? I am a confused between the cutting pad and wool pads,...

 

[chevymaher]

I use nothing but harbor freight stuff. Best prices. Wool pad on the buffer. Mequires ultra cut compound. I love the Ardex Ocean Polymer for wax. I get it on E Bay. Buy it a few times there. They send you a way to buy it direct from them.

 

[arnaud036]

Here is some update on the progress of this project. I have been using "Meguiar's M6732 Marine/RV One Step Compound" with the wool pad and MEGUIAR'S M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax" with waxing pad or soft brush for the non-skid. I am pretty satisfied with the result however at some places, I have noticed that the boat is not quite white and has some yellowish marks on the gelcoat. Have you had a similar experience and do you know how to remove that?

In the meantime here is a picture of before and now.

 

[emoney]

You can usually pick up a small power buffer pretty cheap at big box stores, assuming you have one around you. They're fine for one of these "one-time" uses. Spend a little more and get a better one that you can keep that has multiple speed settings and it will let you both sand & buff/polish. You'll get a much better shine that way, even over what you've already accomplished. ON the "yellow" you can try to wet sand, like Chevy mentioned to see if that helps it go away.

 

[emoney]

What kind of compound, polish and wax pads are you guys using? I am a confused between the cutting pad and wool pads,...

THe "Cutting Pad" is often foam and used to apply the Scratch Removal Compound. I prefer the Meguires as well. I've also got a 2nd foam pad for polishing and the The wool pad I usually use as my last step to apply the wax and really get the shine out. Think of the buffer as a rather large sander, and each application pad as a finer grit, if you will. The key is to make sure you keep ur pads/etc. clean after and even during use to eliminate any chance of swirling.

 

[Woodonglass]

Gelcoat is applied to the thickness of about a Penney. IMHO a light wet sanding with 150 grit wet/dry sandpaper followed by 320 grit and then polishing, would make her look NEW