faded gel coat?

[james yarosz]

I have an 03 LS.It sits on a lift with a cover but the back of the boat gets the evening sun and is fading pretty bad.I plan on buying a variable speed buffer and rubbing it out.What products have people had good luck with? Also appreciate any other suggestions.

[kaneboats]

If it's bad you can save a lot of time by wetsanding with some 1500 paper to get rid of the dead stuff. Follow up with a good rubbing compound and then a polishing compound and then a wax. You can try doing a search on wetsand or wetsanding on here for ideas and tips.

[mjr119]

If you use 1500 grit you will be sanding all day. Start out with 1000. 600 or 800 if you have experience. Then move up gradually from there. It takes a lot of time and effort.

I have a nice variable speed buffer, but I prefer to use the dual action random orbital. It's a little bit easier to control.

Use 3M products. I like the foam cutting pads that look like egg crates. I can't remember what they are called. But they are supposed to reduce heat and cutting time.

As Kane said, sand, compound, polish, wax. Repeat first 3 steps as needed.

[mjr119]

I used this process for my entire boat. It's black too. Also, my first time doing it.

I sanded and compounded about 3 times before I got it where I wanted it to be. It still could use a little more work. It's hard work.

You will be afraid to sand at first, but with 1000 grit, you can't do that much damage. Just dont try to power sand it lol.

[BamaMojo]

I used this process for my entire boat. It's black too. Also, my first time doing it.

I sanded and compounded about 3 times before I got it where I wanted it to be. It still could use a little more work. It's hard work.

You will be afraid to sand at first, but with 1000 grit, you can't do that much damage. Just dont try to power sand it lol.

So, rub it out by hand??


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[mjr119]

Lol that's what I do

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[maxpower220]

Start with the least abrasive first, then work to more aggressive. That will save you time and your gel coat. Get a buffer, a really nice pad, and start with a quality compound. Try an automotive paint supply store for quality materials. Harbor Freight has a nice buffer if you only need it a few times a year.

If you have to sand, wet sand. On large flat areas, nothing wrong with an orbital sander. Keep it moving, wet, and "clean". Let the sander/buffer do the work, no need to put a lot of pressure.

Watch a bunch of youtube videos to get confidence.

[Fastest1]

Start with the least abrasive first, then work to more aggressive. That will save you time and your gel coat. Get a buffer, a really nice pad, and start with a quality compound. Try an automotive paint supply store for quality materials. Harbor Freight has a nice buffer if you only need it a few times a year.

If you have to sand, wet sand. On large flat areas, nothing wrong with an orbital sander. Keep it moving, wet, and "clean". Let the sander/buffer do the work, no need to put a lot of pressure.

Watch a bunch of youtube videos to get confidence.

First of all I have never wet sanded a boat but I have seen more than one person recommend this technique but why?
That is exactly the opposite of any other product being sanded. Generally you would work from coarse to fine. Why the opposite? Having polished more metals than most people have even handled, the technique you mention would leave you frustrated. You can not polish out a scratch or surface irregularity, the base of the scratch will wear at the same rate. It must be evenly sanded with successive grits until it is not noticeable, then polished. If you want a mirror like finish. I realize that an oxidized finish is a different situation than a scratch.

[parrothd]

Because most people don't understand polishing.. Lol

[Fastest1]

Thanks parrothd ;-)
The only advantage to this technique might be to familiarize yourself with the aggressiveness of the paper. Starting with the fine paper won't create an irreparable surface immediately whereas 60 grit would!


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[kaneboats]

I think he meant you only want to use as coarse as you need to get the job done. If it is oxidation. Something like 1000 to 1200 should do. If it is a scratch you might save time by going to 600 and then working back from there. You always have to go from coarse to fine to rubbing compound to polishing compound or you will undo your work.

[Fastest1]

Kane, I had read it more than once. The written word can be misunderstood very easily. I knew good and well nobody would be impressed going from a 1600 down to 600 and then try any sort of compound or wax.
Just trying to make sure no one screws up a good boat.

[kaneboats]

Yup. Me too.