Posted by kamie on 06/13/10 - 12:21 PM
#8
Binkie wrote:
To say a gelcoat job will hold up for 30-40 years and still look good is ridiculous. Maybe if it was stored in a barn for most of its life, However, gelcoat can be rejuvenated when it dulls out over the years, but the spider cracks are still there. not so with Awlgrip, but AwlGrip retains its shine longer. Gelcoat tends to spider crack faster than AwlGrip.
If i took either buff magic or wet/dry sandpaper to my 13 foot, the gelcoat would look as good as the day it was first sprayed. the boat will be 39 years old this year, show me a painted boat that can do that? My 13 was in no way stored in a barn or under cover, it is just the nature of the product that you can renew the shine by removing a thin layer. If I did that every year, you would need to respray the gelcoat at some point, but i still contend it will last longer than paint.
Interesting discussion, since the original poster hasn't yet said why he feels the need to paint/regelcoat his boat? What's it real issue?