Gel Coat fading Should I wax or Use A Polymere Sealer!

[freetime66]

I have a 1986 Four Winns 235 Sundowner that I wax and wheel one to twice a month, to keep up the shine. I have read and looked at different ideas on how to keep up with oxidation of the gel coat. And I am looking for Ideas on keeping the shine up on my Gel coat I have used compounds to get the fading off and used colonite to protect it but it only last so long. I also trailer my boat so it don't sit in the water. But the sun still damages the gel coat. I would like some Ideas on polyomere sealents. Has anyone used these products or have any other applications on keeping up there gel coats? I would appreciate any help Thanks

 

[saildan]

Re: Gel Coat fading Should I wax or Use A Polymere Sealer!

I have a 1986 Four Winns 235 Sundowner that I wax and wheel one to twice a month, to keep up the shine. I have read and looked at different ideas on how to keep up with oxidation of the gel coat. And I am looking for Ideas on keeping the shine up on my Gel coat I have used compounds to get the fading off and used colonite to protect it but it only last so long. I also trailer my boat so it don't sit in the water. But the sun still damages the gel coat. I would like some Ideas on polyomere sealents. Has anyone used these products or have any other applications on keeping up there gel coats? I would appreciate any help Thanks

I'm wondering if you are actually getting the oxidized layer of gelcoat completely removed. It sounds as if the wax is providing a shine, but when it breaks down and evaporates in the sun all that's left at the surface is chalky oxidized gelcoat. Ideally, well compounded gelcoat should have a good shine of it's own before applying a fiberglass preservative and polishing with a finish wax.

The preservative products replace some of the plastic's chemicals that leech out over time, add UV protection, and then the finish polish provides a top seal. Collinite products are in the upper quality range and should be good for all that.

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: Gel Coat fading Should I wax or Use A Polymere Sealer!

Best way to do it is to wet sand it with a higher grit sandpaper till the deposits are removed from teh gelcoat and then use a clay bar or tack cloth on it. After you get it cleaned up you can try a cleaner wax and then a polish with an orbital buffer if you have access to one. If you dont a good bit of elbow grease with a buffing pad and some good polish may do it some good. You could seal it with a few good coats of wax after you polish it. This worked great on the fiberglass body kit for my old trusty 1988 mustang GT foxbody before i totaled it on the strip . Also has given me great season long protection results on numerous other cars and sports machines ie motorcycles, jet ski's and a couple other boats.

Good luck!
RC