26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

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Westchesterguy

Recruit
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
3
and oxidation removed etc. Before I screw this up big time doe's anyone know how I should be proceed? What products to use etc. Thanks
 
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DBLD

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
41
Re: 26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

Hi,<br /><br />I've had two boats that are almost 30 years old, and I got them looking like new with 3M wax and oxidation remover. I think they make two - one for light oxidation, and one for heavy oxidation. They have a grit to them and a wax to them. <br /><br />Neither of my boats was all that bad, so I used the lightly oxidized product. First, I cleaned the hull really well with a hull cleaner by StarBrite. Then I just washed it really well, let it dry, and then used that 3M product. I put one coat on, and then I put a second coat of straight wax on there to seal it up.<br /><br />I used a typical orbital buffer to apply and remove both waxes and then I buffed the final coat with the same buffer. They look great! Good luck.
 
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fireship1

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
581
Re: 26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

Hello, 3M stuff is indeed excellent. I have used many of their products in the past with great results. I have found with marine wax that one brand that I have used seems to last a long time with water repellency and beading. It's called Collinites boat wax. It comes in two parts. A cleaner that pulls oxidation, stains and imbedded dirt right out of the gel coat. And a wax that you put on after the cleaner. Made my 85 Sea Ray look like it was new. Shine lasts from one season to the next. I wax it once a season and it really looks great. Stuff goes on and off with no heavy rubbing. Very easy to use! Something you might want to look into. Good luck!
 
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RegalBoater

Cadet
Joined
Jan 21, 2004
Messages
22
Re: 26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

JoeJ,,<br /> I am a professional painter and I have just recently restored a VERY badly oxidized 82 Regal Ambassador. A good cheaper way to go is to use the 3m refinish system.. Buy some 3m 1500 grit wet sandpaper about 15 bucks for 100 sheets and sand the gelcoat lightly with soapy water. It doesnt take much and most of your oxidation will end up on the ground instead of clogging up your buffer. After sanding use a power buffer and some 3m Perfect-IT Rubbing Compound to shine.. You will find that the pad will last an entire side of buffing before you need to clean it out. The results are a factory new shine because the bad layer is removed... It will also take out any "minor" scratches that you have on your gelcoat.
 
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salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: 26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

thread sidejack......<br /><br />is there a definitive way to tell if you have gelcoat or paint? i bought used and am 99.99% sure i have gelcoat but a buddy who deals with more automotive products says i have a painted boat. i've used the 3m heavy duty rubbing compount with good results and some dirty bonnets. i'm looking to do the boat again and the bars sounds interesting.<br /><br />how can you tell???<br /><br />thx
 
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John Carpenter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 1, 2002
Messages
336
Re: 26 Year old boat, gel coat needs to be buffed

RegalBoater- Those early to mid-eighties Regals (maroon & blue/grey?) are terrible about oxidizing. I agree with the wet sanding method...I've used it a few times and it is very rewarding.<br /><br />Johnnybigrigger-Interesting method that I for one will not knock without trying...might give that a try on the next one. Where are you located in Kentucky? I am in Paducah & boat on KY. Lake.
 
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