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I have a 2001 whaler sport that has a gel coat that is completely chalky. Any recommendations to bring back to life? I know the best way is to keep her waxed, but this is a second hand boat. I tried 3M's Marine Color gloss Restorer with little to show for my efforts. Also, what do you guys use for a marine wax?
Are gel coats made differently now versus the 70's? I have a 1978 Tiara that shows better than this 2001 Whaler!
Hello Blackfin25,
Are you applying the 3M product by hand or with a machine? If you are using a quality buffer such as a Makita or Milwaukee with a wool pad and cannot cut thru the oxidation than you will have to wet sand it and then machine buff afterwords. Block sanding with 600 grit wet sandpaoer and then graduating to 800 and then a 100 grit using plenty of water followed by a machine buffing using either straight 3M buffing compound or 3M's restorer/cleaner wax for heavily oxidized surfaces will work. It takes some time, and this is when you will be happy it is only a 13 foot boat.
blackfin check out the products offered by www.auroramarine.com I have had good success getting a 1972 chalked FG boat back to shiny condition. Started with "Boatscrub" and followed their recommendations. You can also "Ask the Skipper" and he'll answer you with what to do.
I didn't even use a power buffer on a 32 ft boat.
I ONLY use 3M marine buffing products. I think they are the best - period, and all the other brands are second class. Just my prejudice, but people who see my boats are amazed at the high gloss. Whaler also recommends and uses 3M products.
Try the 3M Marine Rubbing Compound first. This really cuts through the oxidation and propares the hull for a high gloss finishing compound. For utimate gloss, the second step is to use their Marine Compound and Finishing Material next (black and purple qt bottle), then follow it up with the mandatory 3M Finesse-it II, as recommended by Whaler. Used properly, according to instructions on the bottle, this product will give you mirror like gloss that you can see yourself in! Finesse-it is the key to a perfect finish! You MUSt use it. Use wool pads for all or the above buffing!
If the 3M Marine Rubbing Compound doesn't do it, then as mentioned you have to wet sand, which sounds difficult but is actually a fairly easy process. I keep a supply of wet sand papers, 220,400,600,1000, 1500, and 2000 available. If you have to sand, start with #600, and see how it does. Rarely do you have to go down to 220 or 400 (except for new gelcoat repairs). Then work your way up the grades (all mentioned above) and then the 3 step buffing process. The hull will look like it just left the factory!,
One lat comment - for those of you who varnish multiple coats, the Finesse-it can be used to give varnish a hard, mirror like finish. After your last coat of varnish cures for a month or two, wet sand lightly with 1500, followed by 2000, then buff with Finesse-it. You won't believe the glass like varnish finish!.
