how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

[phatmanmike]

it looks old and hazy. it is a 1986 bonito 16 foot center console. wifey and i are into this"lets buy an ugly boat and fix it up " craze...<br /><br />how can i tell if boat is gelcoat or not.. is every fiberglass boat gell coated? i like the shine and gloss of gell coat, but are there any paints that have a super lustrious shine, similar to gell coat.. we used intrelux 1 part enamels on our lil boat and it looks nothing like gel coat<br />thanks<br />mike

 

[Boomyal]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

I would venture to say that all fiberglass boats have a gelcoat. It is necessary as a sealing coat as glass cloth etc can weep water. What you probably have is a highly deteriorated coating. There are a number of options to recoat your boat including the reapplication of a gelcoat. I believe that when it comes to re-doing the whole boat painting would be the preferred method. Do a search for 'paint'.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Mike,to test to see if it is paint wipe some acetone on a small area.If it is paint the color will come off on the rag.Make sure it is an area that you are going to redo any way because all the paint may come off that spot.Charlie

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

i discoverd that is is indeed gel coat.. but it is 1986 looking, old and chalky, what can i do, short of repainting it, although that is an option, what can i do to make it lustrious

 

[glass from the past]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Try 3M fiberglass restorer and wax. I just got done doing my 79' Chrysler with this stuff and it turned out great. It is an all in one paste, it is about $17 a can up in my neck of the woods. I used an auto buffer and a terry cloth pad to apply it and rub it out, then I did a final buff to it by hand to get all the haze off. It took out all the scratches (even the real bad one), rust stains and that dull chalk look with 1 application, I am tempted to do two applications, but Mrs. Glass says if I have time to wax the boat twice...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

gftp has got you on the right track.Make sure to use a rotary buffer and not an orbital and do a small section at a time.What color is the hull????Charlie

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

it looks kinda light grey, but im sure at one time it was white.... i dont have a buffer, but i have an angle grinder with a buffing wheel, can i use that?

 

[glass from the past]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

I wouldn't use a grinder if the RPM's are too high, you need to keep it around 900 - 2500 (WOT ) at most. 3M sells an attachment for around $15.00 that you can attach to your drill for application. For the price though you can buy a car buffer if you shop around, I just picked up one from GI Joes for $15.00.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Try the grinder with the buffing wheel if thats what youve got.I think the grinder has a lot of torque so dont press too hard and make sure to always keep it moving.Get the largest buffing wheel that will fit.I bought a Wen polisher/sander 15 years ago and have buffed up many boats with it.Best investment I ever made.Charlie

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

No, NO! Don't use the grinder! <br />It's too heavy, the RPMs are usually too high, there's no "clutch" action and you'll burn through the gel instead of polishing it. It's like using a 10-lb sledge to pound a tack. <br />Go down to your auto store and get a buffer/polisher and some car polish products....it's a big enough job to justify it, you're saving money by doing it yourself, and after you've done the boat, you can use it for your second career in the car polishing business!

 

[Ripsnort]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Porter Cable Random Orbital polisher/ $119 at Coastaltools.com. I use mine on everything from my BMW to the boat. Even used it on my lawn tractor!

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

ZZZZZZZZZZ.

 

[Ripsnort]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

<br /><br />Bub-bye oxidation!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Bye the way as previously stated dont waste your time or money on an orbital polisher.They dont work on an oxidized finish.They are for waxing a restored or good finish.Charlie

 

[Ripsnort]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br />Bye the way as previously stated dont waste your time or money on an orbital polisher.They dont work on an oxidized finish.They are for waxing a restored or good finish.Charlie

I got $100 saying I can restore it with a random orbital polisher (Detailing is my hobby). You just have to have the right products.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

I will gladly take your 100 and a back massage with your orbital polisher because thats the only thing those are good for.Charlie

 

[Ripsnort]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br />I will gladly take your 100 and a back massage with your orbital polisher because thats the only thing those are good for.Charlie

I have about 50 people that will disagree with you.<br />Have you used a Random orbital polisher? What products did you use with it? <br /><br />I never use them for applying wax, thats easy by hand. I use them to buff out oxidation or swirl marks. I begin with Griots #3, if no results, I work down to Griots #2. Then back up to #3 to buff it shiney again. For really bad oxidation, I use #1, then #2, and finish buffing with #3. Then wax.

 

[glass from the past]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

You wanna split that $100 Ripsnort? (49 more to go ) I agree with you it is the compund you are using, not the machine itself. My boat is a 1979, sat outside for who know's how long before I bought it. Oxidized was an understatement. As Ripsnort said wax itn't the solution, a good compund is key. I used a $15 orbital buffer and a quality buffing compound and finsish restorer. Before I started I had a chalky finsih, scratches as well as rust marks. I can see my reflection in the side of the boat now, all the scratches are gone, and there are no rust marks, something that I thought was impossible without painting it. It may not be a brand new finish, but that is relative in my book, are you cleaning up an older boat that you want to look nice? Or is this a Nautique that you want to look brand new again?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

Ripsnort,why dont you do a specific post on orbital polisher vs circular variable speed polisher.There is no camparison when restoring gelcoat.We can go double or nothing on the 100 and you and your 50 friends can take chance a piece giving my back a massage with the random orbital.To answer your question YES!!!!I have used an orbital and as I stated they are strictly for a newer finish or a massage thats it-not for restoration.Do the post and see.Forget about the products used,do the post on the polishers.Charlie

 

[salty87]

Re: how can i tell if my boat is gel coat or not

nobody's counting, but i gotta go with charlie. i've burned up a random orbital before, it's not hard to do. granted, it was a wallie-mart cheapy. if you can stop the random orbital from spinning with your hand, it's not going to last. there's no way you can stop a real polisher/buffer by hand without hurting.<br /><br />when it comes time for the buffing compound or whatever you decide to go with, you'll want to put some pressure on the machine. the randoms won't take it for long.