gel coat..how do i fix

[jgoshow]

reading all the posts about the old checkmates,and how everybody loves them ive decided to keep the v-mate as a river and lake toy,looking at the finish on the bow and...well the whole top half of the boat i relized that the gel coat needs to be redone,the finish feels rough,what can i do to bring back the finish?beings that i bought a newer boat the funds are limited...and the wife...well...you know how the wives get when you wanna spend money...what kinda process is it to redo a boat?any info would be helful

[Mark]

Of all the products I've tried Aurora Boat Scrub is the best. Its available at most marine stores. It can be done by hand but try to get a 1000- 1500 rpm rotary buffer if you don't want to make it your life's work. Then you must seal it with a proper polish like Race Glaze after or it will fade again. My Diplomat was totally chalky and it looks like new now and I didn't do any sanding. Check it out; Mark's Diplomat under Picture This Member's Rides page 6. You may find that as you redo it each spring its gets easier and the outcome is better every year.

[jgoshow]

before you buffed it..what did the finish feel like to the touch,when i rub my hand over it...it feels rough,like im touching the flake in the paint...is it to far gone for your process?

[Chris]

I would stay away from the Race Glaze. The people that make it told Jeff from Speedwake that they didn't feel it was the best product for boats.

[Mark]

Sorry, for the delay. What do you mean "paint"? If the boat was painted and it is flaking then you need to go to a marine restorer and get their advice. If the surface is rough and chalky it is severely oxidized but still salvageable. Cmate gel is quite thick especially over metal flake. One way or another you need to remove the oxidization, and what I'm suggesting is worth a try. Go back and read all the posts by "Bill" in this category. He is a detailer and it was his advice I followed to restore mine and it worked.