How To Restore Oxidized Gelcoat – A few weeks ago, I wrote down the easiest way to clean slippery blankets. And I said something about our gelcoat being really critical in general (this is a common problem on older Gemini catamarans…well, old fiberglass boats in general).
Tami Shelton, a fellow reader, asked me if I’d like to know how you’ve had great results with gelcoat renovations on Catana catamarans. Of course I did! And some other readers also commented in that direction.
How To Restore Oxidized Gelcoat
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How To Buff Your Hull Like A Pro
A year and a half ago, when our boat was in trouble, I worked on polishing the sides of the boat.
. But the results were really not as good as I wanted them to be. . . and I still have a lot of cockpits and decks to do. I would like to know how to get
The total cost of the project, including the purchase of the tools, is about $400 (plus your labor) – and you’ll have the tools to use the next time you need to polish the boat (hopefully you won’t have to oxidize the it!) as well as most consumables. This is much less than the cost of painting your boat.
Story including Shameless plug for Donnie. . . Olympic boat builder and owner of Diversified Marine, Mobile Alabama, Mr. Donnie Brennan taught me a valuable lesson in gelcoat polishing.
Best Oxidation Remover For Boats [actual Comparison 2021 ]
Buy good tools. A high quality buffer polish is essential. A Makita 9237CX3 7-Inch Variable Speed Polisher with Buffing Kit-I blew the dosh on some additional WOOL high quality polishing pads for sanding and buffing.
The preferred compound is 3M High Gloss Gelcoat Compound. I bought a one gallon container which is probably enough to do my Boots 20 hull (40′ catana) but I don’t think there is a smaller container. Split the cost with your friends?
Second: To quote Donnie, “if you want to restore 100% of your oxidized gelcoat, you have to start with wet sanding.” I didn’t, but it was Donnie’s advice. I was happy with the result I got from sanding – wet sand if you want the best results.
After washing, I washed the boat with oxalic acid body cleaner and rinsed again. If you do this on hard floors, be sure to protect your undercoat from oxalic acid. (Carolyn’s note: Oxalic acid will remove most stains. I’m not sure what brand Tami uses, but Sudbury Hull Cleaner I know.)
Ultra Marine Seattle
Next, select an area about 2×2 feet at a time to start. Take a saw brush/brush and dip some of the compound from the can onto the brush and rub it in five or six spots along the area you have chosen to work. Hold the pad with the pad against the work and drive the pad at low speed. Run the compound a bit and then increase the buffer speed to the recommended speed (1500 – 2500 RPM) that 3M lists on the box.
[SAFETY NOTE from Carolyn: Watch out for the wire in the bumper! Hold the buffer so that the cable does not get “around” the buffer. The boatman next to us on the yard tore the cordon (fortunately it didn’t cause a fire) because it got tangled from bumper to bumper with the lanyard open. There’s a lot of torque in the bumper, and it’s easy to walk if you don’t hold it tight.]
If the compound starts to dry on the pad, you will want to stop and clean your pad. OFTEN. Take a paint stirring stick, hold one corner of the stick to the center of the pad and drive the pad at high speed, moving the stick from the center like a vinyl record needle type motion. This will remove the dried compound and oxidized gelcoat from the pad and emboss the pad. Then go back to the area you just worked on and buff again with your freshly cleaned pad. Now you start to really shine the area as you run the buffer.
It’s a bit of a hassle. Start with a lighter pressure and then increase as you get a feel for how the compound stops oxidizing. Don’t be afraid of it, but start gently.
How To Restore Oxidized/chalky Fiberglass
After doing three or four 2 square meters, you notice that your pad doesn’t clean well with your stick, so you have to replace it with another pad. Alternatively, clean your pad by rinsing it thoroughly in a bucket of plenty of fresh water. Put the wet pad back on the bumper and turn it to high speed; that draws the water out and dries the pad pretty quickly. [Another note from Carolyn: Remember where the water is spilling and go somewhere you won’t splash people or the area you’re working on. Yes. You know what I did the first time I dried a buffing head]
One of the keys I’ve found to doing this is to keep a clean pad. If the pad sticks, clean or replace it.
Using the best tool makes this work much faster. High quality polishing machine is not like your old car bumper, good tool makes light work.
Once your bond is complete, be sure to finish with a high-quality polish to protect your new finish. I love Star Brite PTFE Marine Polish myself. Re-polish every 6 months to once a year.
Work Smarter, Not Harder! Remove Gel Coat Oxidation Without Effort Or Mess!
Tami didn’t take photos of the rejuvenation as she did, but she did take these before and after photos. Note the dark yellow color in the “before” shot and the bright reflections in the “after” shot!
Carolyn again: Armed with these tips I look forward to working on our cockpit! I know from past experience that it’s hard to shine on the neck and shoulders, but for such a shine I’m happy to put up with it!
Our cockpit has some flat little areas where a full size bumper won’t fit, as well as lots of little strips of smooth gelcoat between the skids. I have small 3 inch polishing pads attached to our cordless drill (I used them when refinishing our windows). If you have small spaces, you may want a few of these (make sure they fit your drill).
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How To Remove Oxidation From Rv Fiberglass
Some links above (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links, which means I earn from eligible purchases. Learn More For many boat owners, the first impression that makes them choose one boat over another is the shiny gel coat. Everyone wants their ship to always look shiny. However, it is inevitable that our gelcoat will start to fade due to the environmental impact.
Boat gelcoat restoration is an essential part of the boat maintenance process. In this article, you will learn about the restoration process, which includes removing dirt, removing gelcoat, restoring oxidized gelcoat, and polishing for protection, as well as some other tips and tricks to protect your gelcoat layer and increase its durability. .
Follow this guide if you want to learn how to restore gelcoat on a boat and, even better, keep it in good condition for longer in the future.
In addition to these must-have items, you can bring a circular or circular polisher to make things easier. Note that the AC unit must be GFCI protected. You are now ready to renew your boat gelcoat.
Simple Ways To Polish A Boat (with Pictures)
Restoration work is not very complex or difficult, but can be extremely valuable in improving the appearance and longevity of your boat. Follow this step-by-step guide to using your boat gelcoat restorer:
Do the first wash by mixing the marine boat soap with water, then carefully clean every corner and mix with a cloth. I recommend choosing seaweed soaps because they are much better for the environment than popular laundry detergents and leave no residue when rinsing.
Sometimes mold can form on the slippery areas on your boat, which is very difficult to clean. Your best bet in this regard is to use a chelating non-slip cleanser. It is made to break the bond between your deck and any dirt and mildew without scrubbing too much.
When the dirt is gone, it’s time to check the boat surface for damage. Be careful of cracks around struts and other important parts, as they may indicate some hidden structural issues.
Gelcoat Restoration Products
Your quick guide to dealing with cracks is to fill them with gelcoat.
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