Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

Curious if anyone knows the best technique for white gelcoat that is beginning to yellow. I'll probably end up wet sanding the whole boat (although VERY time consuming) but was hoping there might be a polish, etc. to use for now. I assume exposure to sun causes this. Will wetsanding make the boat even more prone to the elements? Thanks

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

Are you talking topsides, or on the bottom? For the bottom, I've had good luck using Sno Bowl, mixed about 4 parts water to 1 part Sno Bowl, and sprayed on with a pesticide sprayer. Keep in mind that the active ingredient is hydrochloric acid, so don't leave it on for more than 5 minutes, and wash it off of aluminum and zinc's immediately.

Hose it off and your hull looks shiney white like a clean toilet bowl.

Cheers,
Brian

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

There is a product called "Zing" that will clean it too. Same instructions as above though. It will eat anything it touches.

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

Yea, Muriatic acid from Lowes or someplace like that. Same as above.

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

I had "insect" stains on my boat from storing with just the canopy tarp and yellowing on the transom and under the water line. The stains were small black tar-like spots all other the deck. Only took a week for the "insects" to really screw up any exposed gel-coat.

Used FSR on the yellowing and stains. FSR worked great but took some work. Really made a difference and brought the life back to several areas. Ended up using a West Marine product called Black Streak remover on the stains and worked fast.

...now need to clean the vinyl, but can't find one that gets the deep dirt out. I have more cleaners than Walmart!

You'd think something that spends it's "used" life in the water would be easy to keep clean.

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

i had a real serious problem with my gel coat yellowing, if anyone has a cure for this let me know.

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

BYC, that looks really bad. Its going to take one hell of alot of wet sanding to fix that one :)

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

Thanks for all the input! I will have to try the acid. Sounds easier than wetsanding!

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

Imron white paint sprayed on!

Re: Gelcoat "Yellowing"
 

I also have a product that you may like called Ringo. It's a liquid soap consistency high performance fiberglass cleaner that removes all fiberglass stains with the absolute minimum of work. Simply wipe it on with a damp rag, wait 5 or so minutes and spray off and you're done. If you're interested PM me.

BTW - it comes with a money back guaranty