Help on gelcoat/clearcoat question

[chad39kay]

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

[BASSCAT7]

Was this Ranger ever sprayed with an Auto Clear Coat ?

[chad39kay]

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

[BASSCAT7]

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

[chad39kay]

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

[BASSCAT7]

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.

[chad39kay]

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

[BASSCAT7]

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