Refinishing Gelcoat

[javelin378]

Just wanted to share my results with everyone. I've got an 89 Javelin bass boat and the gelcoat was in bad shape already from exposure when I bought it last year. I tried scrubbing and waxing last year, but no real improvement, so after reading some posts and results I tried buffing it this year. I washed and cleaned it, then scrubbed the hell out of it with scotchbrite pads and comet cleanser, the non abrasive type, all I could find. Then I started buffing with a wool pad and some extra heavy duty rubbing compound I got from a local boat shop. After a little trial and error it worked better at the higher speed, 2 speed buffer I bought at local pawn shop 20 bucks, probably 2800 rpm. Just work a 2 foot section at a time and buff till it starts to shine and watch the pad because the compound will tend to build up on it so keep a spray bottle of water handy and just a couple of sprays to keep wet. The results were amazing after buffing I put a good coat of wax on and will put on another one this week. I tried to include some before and after pics but the file size was too big so anyone thinking about doing it should give it a try, just be careful at first you can burn through the gelcoat, always keep the buffer moving and use light pressure, and if interested in pics shout at me and i can email them. james