Bringing Back a Gel Coat Finish
 

I have a 2003 Velocity 260. I realize this is a fairly new boat to be discussing restoring the Gel Coat Finish...... I bought the boat from a dealership in Las Vegas last winter. The boat was a repo that had been bounced around from dealer to dealer until I bought it. Anyway it is a completly white Velocity with out factory Graphics (other than the Velocity Sticker on the cowl area). While the boat appears white it isn't consistant. Nor is it a bright white. It has areas that are more of a yellowish tint than others. The Gel appears to be all original it just looks like it has faded or discolored unevenly..... I used a 3M heavy cut compound followed by the Leverage OD and polish at the beginning of last summer. I was able to get a very nice gloss, the discoloring is driving me nuts!!! Most people don't notice it until I tie up to a bright white boat. It then becomes painfully obvious...... Is it possible to bring the color back by wet sanding? Or does this discoloring sound like it might be deep in the gel? Any suggestions are welcome.

Wet sand it.

Agreed. I would start with 1200 grit.

Fixx
 

sounds like you may have some vary fine dirt in the gelcoat pores,,try cleaning a area with the works toilet bowl cleaner,,if that dont do it then get some 1000 grit sand paper for a da and try wet sanding a small area then buff it and see if it makes a difference..

Before you start wet sanding, do a search on how it is done. You can do a lot of damage if not done correctly.

I use 3M marine finesse-it glaze on a much older black sided boat. It works very well to restore consistent color.

Make sure sides are clean and grit free.

Use an adjustable speed polisher 1800 - 3000 rpm with a large diameter polisher.

Do a small 2x2 ft area and follow the directions on the bottle.

Good Luck

1200 or 1000 grit and hand sand it if your not real familiar with a da sander ,u can do alot damage fast ...good luck

I have plenty of experience wet sanding by hand and DA........ I used to do a lot of custom automotive paint work. I Just want to make sure I have explored every alternative before I start sanding on this one. I hate wetsanding (have yet to meet someone who doesn't). I have seen and done a few boats where they were real chaulky and wetsanding brought the gloss back. I just haven't delt with discoloring before...

fire up the DA ... BIG Daddy not what ya want to hear but your only option , just did a fountain that sat in the Havazoo sun for 10 years and looks showroom new again .. get a couple 30 packs and have at it :drink:

Yeah, I kind of knew this before making the post. Just hoping someone had a "mirical in a bottle" that would magically get ride of the discoloring........... My problem is I have a bad back (2 rods & 4 bolts) so this is going to take more than a couple of 30 packs for me...... Wetsanding isn;t something I want my friends doing for me..... This is one of those if you want it done right, do it yourself areas. So I will just have to do a little bit at a time and not push myself....... I will have to wait until spring to get it out from shrink wrap anyway.

"mirical in a bottle":eek:

would be toilet bowl cleaner ( The Works ) to rid the yellowing & discoloration but it will be back every weekend , sounds like yur lookin forward to spring but not to wet sanding :party-smiley-004:

I am still looking for that winning lottery ticket too...

EXACTLY

[QUOTE=low_psi;3327634]I am still looking for that winning lottery ticket too...

too funny psi , but i like the "mirical in a bottle":eek:

I think you are stuck with sanding since it is baked in the gel, but I would defenitly try the works toilet bowl cleaner. It doesn't cost much and is easy to use. Is the discoleration above the water line, as in all over the hull?

This is one of those if you want it done right, do it yourself areas. :coolcowboy:


I hear ya

I've got a similiar problem, but it's along the waterline when we've been tied up all day (especially next to some deisel cruiser) the gelcoat just doesn't seem to keep the crap off.

I wax the boat once a month to help keep it white.

It's ridicuios what I have to do to get it clean/off (especially on the sides by the back of the boat, almost have to break my back.

Think my gelcoat needs to be redone, it's a bear having a all white boat ?

My issue is all over the boat. The sides (above the waterline) are discolored. Also the boat does seem to absorb dirty water and leaves scum lines that are not as eaasy as they should be to clean. I think the Gel has become pourous from not being cared for and is allowing the dirt and grime to penetrate and sit in the pores. I think a good wetsanding is in order.

it's a bear having a all white boat :eek:
but they sure do shine up pretty :drink:

low PSI, I would try this stuff as it works great, just not sure it's going to help you above the water line. I have seen it at several marine places, and I use it all the time. You will need it anyway to keep the water line clean after the sand & buff job. http://www.waterskis.com/Safe-AR-Hul...ll_cleaner.htm

Joey, this will take care of most any yellowing coming from that water. I used to spend a few hours every year buffing the yellow crap off my boat, as our water has a lot of deposits in it. Once I found this, I just spray it on and wait for 5-10 minutes and hose it off. The white looks like it came out of the mold.

Here is a PDF of the product from the manufacturer.
http://www.kem-tech.com/images/specs...RE-SAFE-AR.pdf
One more thing, a buddy of mine had some of his boat clear coated when he had stripes done and the only parts that yellow now are the open gel areas.

Fixx
 

Glassdave?? i think :eek: Swares by this stuff made by fountain of youth and no its not a reggie product:coolcowboy:

http://www.fountainofyouthrestore.co...wer_One_1.html


and the video http://www.vimeo.com/16294171

I use Starbright hull cleaner, it has a small amount of corrisive in it. gel coat is porous to a certain extent. I have a light gray 87' model boat that has spent most of its life outside. I use the cleaner then a coat of wax

Nice link mrfixxall. The AR-Hull cleaner works exactly like that does after looking at the demo videos. I like the other products they have also.
Doggiedave, that stuff works good also, but it does have acid as the reactor and both of these are none acid products,

I used Starbrite for years, just not cutting it anymore.

Give these a try Joey, I'm sure it will take care of your issue. It is so easy, as easy as the demo video, you won't believe it until you try it.
I wish I had it years ago before all the hours I've spent with a buffer.

One thing I havn't seen mentioned is that pigment in the gelcoat isn't consistent. The top layer of gelcoat is mostly clear when the boat is new. The pigment, which is more porous, is beneath the surface. The more you wet sand or use abrasive polish, the more of the clear topcoat you remove and the more difficult it is to keep the shine. That's why some boats get that chalky look quickly. Imron holds up a lot better.

Rezort to wet sanding last... you dont know the thickness gel coat and the last thing you need to due is make it thinner There are lot of good micro compounds out there like Meguiars 3M that due less damage "thinning of the gel coat" and yes you need a good wheel dewalt makes a sweet wheel for under 200.00 and lots of polish after that and some wax Then you will be ready for the Sunny Day's at Sugar.

Fountain of youth power one stuff amazed me last year.... Wear gloves!

I just noticed this post.. Rockfish, I take it you have seen my boat anchored out at Sugar Island?

I spent the last two days wetsanding on the boat. Yesterday I did the Port side (rub rail down) by hand. First with 1000 grit then 1500 grit, heavy Cut compund, Fine compound, then a polish. Today I used the DA on the Starbord side. I used the DA with 1000 grit, then lightly again by hand with 1000 grit (to get smaller areas that were missed by DA), then 1500 by hand, then the above mentioned compounds and polish. While I am not going to be able to get the color back 100%, it is looking MUCH better. I was able to get most of the dicoloration out and brought back an incredible gloss. I hope to have the deck completed by Sunday evening.

If anything, the wetsanding has leveled out the surface, so cleaning it should be easier going forward. It no longer has a haze to it, it basically looks like an automotive paint finish now.

I NEVER WANT TO HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN!!!!!!!!! Thank god my boat is only 26'.