Neglected gel coat

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fastguy91

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2004
RO Number
14921
Messages
196
Just bought an 86 Chris Craft and the gel coat is pretty dull and chaulky. Just bought some buff magic/Pro polish. Anyone have results when gel coat is in such poor condition? Thanks
 
You may have to use Buff Magic two or more times until you get the oxidation all off and then use pro Polish . I wouldn't put Pro Polish on until you are satisfied with the appearance of the gel after Buff Magic. Then again, one application may do it. you won't know until you start. If the Buff Magic doesn't cut the oxidation, you may have to use a more aggressive compound.
 
I use a great detailer! She made my chalky boat look brand new! And she keeps it looking that way 7 years later.
 
But it will come back? Or is there a point where gelcoat is too far gone.
 
When the white is gone, the gelcoat is gone.
Most boat yards and detailers and make it look almost like new.
 
Will it come back? Depends on how far gone it is and how much gel coat is left.
 
Just finished the sides. Between the top deck and water line and it looks great. Although this area is not as bad as the topsides which I will get to tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day. lol
 
The way I look at it is if it's not perfect it's not that big of a deal. Each time/year you go over it the better it will be. The worst it will look is before any work is started. My boat sat for 5 years on a trailer with just a cockpit cover. The top part above the rub rail was chalky. Below that it was in good shape. Last year I started using the boat and did a quick compounding. By the end of last summer the topside was fading. This year I did a much better job. By the end of summer this year it still looked Ok. I gave it another rubbing before putting it away for winter. I am inclined to try this mirical Buff Magic next year and see what it does.
 
As far as compounds go I think it is comparable to 3M. I might try a heavier grade on the top in a few spots and finish with finesse II then add the Pro Polish.
 
About half of the topside is done and it looks fantastic. Never tried the 3M cause the Buff Magic worked so well. Had to apply it 3 times but I am definetely impressed with this product. I know all gelcoats are not created equal. I had a Carver that was heavily oxidized and I could never bring that back but the new Chris-Craft looks incredible.
 
You'll be even happier once you put the Pro Polish on. I'd put another coat of Pro Polish on the topsides again in 4 to 6 weeks.
 
This is a little late for the OP, but in my opinion, the skill, experiance, materials, and tools that a professional detailer has are well worth the price, at least for the initial work. The pro I used taped of the stainless and rubber, used two different grades of compound, dilluted it so he could apply it evenly with a brush, and had a professional grade buffer and knew how to use it without damaging the gelcoat. My previous efforts left a lot to be desired and it's hard work.

Now that it's in great shape, it shouldn't be hard for me to maintain it.
 
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