Get the white out!!

[Douser]

My boat's gelcoat has gotten chalky looking. What is the best way to remove it. What is the rule of thumb when deciding to repaint.

 

[Douser]

My boat's gelcoat has gotten chalky looking. What is the best way to remove it. What is the rule of thumb when deciding to repaint.

 

[Shameless]

Have it professionally buffed with a high sped rotary buffer, doing it by hand will never work or last. Use only products amde for boats, not Corvettes or cars.

 

[Z06]

Nice use of Corvettes...

Remembering me again... LOL Anyways, don't try it yourself unless you are certain you can do it... A bit more money now, but worth it later when it still looks great....

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!

 

[Eriktheviking]

Buffing it out is definitely the first thing to try.If its still chalky,

I've resurrected some finishes by wet sanding(1000-1500 grit) the damaged gel coat off,them hitting it with the rotary buffer.If that doesn't last try clear coating with a high quality paint.You'd be suprised!

 

[Shameless]

The chalkyness should come out, but I have had to go as low as 600 grit to 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, then compounds to get the glass finish. Also, a wet scotchbrite pad works well before buffing it.

 

[Eriktheviking]

Thats right Bill,It seems like the metalflake on some of the older mates reflects the sun back and really bakes the clear gelcoat.Some times to the point of feeling like sand paper when you run your hand across it.I had a Diplomat that was black w/gold metalic and its gelcoat was really baked.I wet sanded and buffed the heck out if it but it eventually started to chaulk up again

.I think that the only permanent solution was to clear coat it.Seeing how I bought it only to turnover and make some $$dough with I found a good temporary fix. Armor all protectant!

Spray it on,wipe it in and it would look good for a day out on the water.Or to sell it whichever comes first!

 

[Shameless]

I must say, being the owner of a restoration and detailing business, I cringe when I here those "remedies", but it is something that people will always do. When you run your hand over the gel and it feels gritty, your clear is gone and must be re-cleared. If your clear is still in good shape, but your chalkiness seems to come back quickly, you are either using an automotive product, or did not completely remove old oxidation. You can have a temporary shine and have underlying oxidation. People should get the myth out of their heads that dark colors are hard to take care of, they are not, it is knowing how to do it and what to use, it is as easy as a white boat. The only reason I did not order an all black boat is because it is too damn hot.

 

[Z06]

Yeah. Black boats burn you man. I know this 1st hand. Remember that 'Stream, it burns you very bad so you have to jump in the water

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!

 

[xsvspeed]

I agree 100%, my black Sportfire would heat up enough on a hot summer day to make sitting on the bow almost impossible without a bucket of lake water to cool things down! I could not imagine what a black interior would be like!!!

I feel the need for speed!

 

[Z06]

Yeah... When I am out in the 'Stream, that awesome black interior is crazy. Thank goodness he keeps in under the hoist most of the time

Thats where white is cool.

Z06

Checkmates may not be the fastest boats on the water, but they are the nicest looking!