Help on gelcoat/clearcoat question

Thought I would post this over here and see if I could get any advice on how the best way to fix this would be. Thanks

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...y/DSCN0732.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...y/DSCN0735.jpg

Was this Ranger ever sprayed with an Auto Clear Coat ?

I really don't think so but I can't say for sure. So how is the best way to fix it??? Thanks

Looks like the boat is fairly oxidized except for that piece. Do you travel with the cover on the boat ?

I have on a couple of short trips but thats about it. Most of the time I don't.

The gelcoat is pretty well oxidzed, and that clean area looks like it was rubbed out , maybe from the cover rubbing, but that is what the gel is supposed to look like.

There is a post pinned at the top of the page that gives instructions on how to remove the oxidation to bring the gel back to a glossy condition.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=311487

The oxidation is like a form of plastic rust, the white powdery residue fills the pores in the gelcoat which turns it dull and greyish/white looking.
Sanding mechanically removes the oxidation by opening the pores in the gelcoat and the water flushes out the residue leaving a clean gel that just needs to be compounded and polished back to gloss.

You can do it yourself in a weekends, just a lot of elbow grease. Having a shop do it can run into some $$$.
Most competent shops charge by the foot to detail gelcoat, anywhere from $ 10.00 to $ 25.00 a foot to wheel out the complete hull / cap and wax. Add wetsanding and you can add another $ 25.00 to $ 35.00 or more an hour depending on how oxidzed it is and the materials /time they need to remove it.

so is this bad enough that I need to wetsand or can buffing with a good compound take care of it??? thanks

I would try compounding it first with the high speed buffer.