Black gelcoat
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41042
Printed Date: November-16-2024 at 5:30am
Topic: Black gelcoat
Posted By: prski
Subject: Black gelcoat
Date Posted: May-09-2017 at 9:42pm
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I have a 1986 anniversary SN 2001. I followed the advice of many and have wet sanded with 800 to 2000 and used 3M anod marine 31 products to restore the faded black gelcoat. I even tested a spot with 400/800/1000/1500/2000 followed by polish and wax Recently I used Meguairs 46 polish and marine paste wax. I get the beautiful dark shine as seen in this picture. But it fades in an hour as if absorbed by the gelcoat. Any suggestions? Thank you ------------- paul |
Replies:
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: May-09-2017 at 10:34pm
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Are you sure you are not leaving wax on the boat that is drying and causing the haze. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 12:08am
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I'm sure it's not the wax. I've tested spots after sanding with only polish and get the same result. Thank you for responding ------------- paul |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 9:15am
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If the gel looks faded/matte, then you have not restored the surface to a smooth enough finish. When done right, each round of sanding or buffing is supposed to remove the scratches left on the surface by the previous round. If you fail with just one step, either by insufficient application or making too big of a jump between grits, scratches will remain and the surface will not shine. I suspect your 2000 grit to polish step is too large, but take a good look at all your other methods as well. Remember that wax is there to protect, not add shine... if you're not happy with how it looks when cleaning up after the final polish, you have more work to do before waxing. Several people have posted recipes (methods, materials, pads, equipment) on this site detailing how they achieved some pretty impressive results. You may want to give them a look. |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 10:10am
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Thank you for the detailed reply and suggestions. I think there is some step I'm missing or not doing well. I'll continue to test until I get the look I want. For some reason the site won't let me upload a picture with my post or I could better show the issue ------------- paul |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 10:41am
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Paul, Check out the http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27356&title=ccf-faq" rel="nofollow - FAQ thread for links to gel restoration. I know Tim's done some great work on gel so he's probably correct that there's a step you missed. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 11:05am
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Here is TRBenj's process "Wetsanding: I usually pick up wet/dry sandpaper locally. Napa has a good assortment. Ive used down to 220 grit on certain things, how aggressive you need to be will depend on the finish youre working with. If you pick up 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 grit, that should cover you. Buffing: I have a Dewalt 849 rotary polisher. Its a beast. I bought it and a 6.5" hook and loop (velcro) backing pad here: Dewalt at Coastal Tool Milwaukee Backing Pad I use Lake Country Pads and 3M buffing supplies. I buy both from Smart Shoppers. Here are the part numbers I buy: 5954: 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound 5973: 3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound 5928: 3M Finesse-It II Finishing Material 41-015: LC 7.5" Wool pad, 1" pile height (use with Super Duty) 41-725: LC 7.5" Wool Pad, 1.5" pile height (use with Perfect It) 41-625: LC 7.5" Wool/Acrylic Pad, 1.5" pile height (use with Finesse-It) I usually do 2 rounds with the Super Duty, 1 round with the Perfect It, and 2 rounds with the Finesse it. Clean off with soap and water and/or acetone. Then I wax with Collinite 925 (same as #845 Insulator Wax) by hand with a microfiber cloth. You can get Collinites on ebay, and Ive found that my local Napa stocks it as well- though theyre prices arent the greatest" ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: May-10-2017 at 1:46pm
| PRSKI - are you using a rotary hi speed machine for the polishing step? or are you hand polishing or using a random orbit buffer? Certainly a picture of your finish would help, but like Tim suggested, you're either missing a step, or you're not getting the underlying scratches out. it is possible can polish by hand without a machine, but it takes a LONG time and a lot higher grit than 2000. (more in the range of 15000- micromesh) the high speed rotary machine polish generates heat in the process and helps to smooth any of the scratches left by sanding. A random orbit machine is for waxing, and pretty much worthless for polish. Can you fill us in on the equipment/speeds/ process you are using? |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 6:58pm
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I think you are correct, I bought sandpaper that is measured in Microns vs Grit which goes up to 10,000 grit equivalent. Followed by Meguairs polish and the test spot looks really good for a 31 year old black gelcoat. I'm enjoying the boat now and will resume work when I pull it at the end of summer. I'd love to post a pic but for some reason i'm unable to upload from this reply page. Many thanks for the advice. I'm happy to share all of the steps with anyone who wants the complete detail. ------------- paul |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 7:01pm
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Paul, Kris has a very valid question:
------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Dreaming wrote:Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 7:03pm
Use the "post reply" and not the quick found at the bottom of every thread. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 7:33pm
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I'm using a long throw Rupes random orbital ------------- paul |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 7:35pm
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I'm using a long throw Rupes random orbital. 5-6k rpm with wool pads, cutting pads after sanding. It's a very high quality professional buffer Thanks ------------- paul |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 7:54pm
It's a random orbit polisher and great for the final step but you need a rotary buffer for the heavy compounding. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 8:56pm
Not totally true see this- http://www.hutchinsmfg.com/View-Product.aspx?group_id=4368" rel="nofollow - Hutchins water bug 3/32" orbit is the smallest on the market and as I understand reduces your grit size also ie 1000 acts like 3000. Right now I use a Harbor Freight wet orbital I did the back of mine with a DA the first time,worked fine at the time. I have since done it again by hand. Before-  After with the DA-  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 9:11pm
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Ok, I'll try it! I love that it's original gelcoat, so I'd love to keep it that way. I do have long "stress cracks" I think they are called at the lowest part of the hull. Any advice on them? ------------- paul |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 9:12pm
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Beautiful boat! Nice job! ------------- paul |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-16-2017 at 11:39pm
It's a 20 footer- stand 20 ft away and it looks great.I realize yours being black will make it harder- might have to do more straight line hand sanding but in the end it will be well worth it. As to stress cracks not much you can do except stand 20 ft away  To really fix them you'd have to grind and re gel and they might come back again anyway.------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: May-17-2017 at 2:32pm
Gary - I agree that you can use a random orbit for sanding, but I was referring to the polishing step... for that, a random orbit doesn't really cut it . you need one of these: I have a Dewalt, but I have heard good things about some other brands as well... no need to be a die hard and buy the most expensive one, but you do need adjustable speed either at the trigger or on a rheostat on the unit. too fast will have compound everywhere, and not fast enough will not get the job done. I think that is the step you're missing for the beautiful shine you want. I am not a harbor freight fan, but they might have the cheapest option for you if you only plan to use it once. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-17-2017 at 3:23pm
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Agreed! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: prski
Date Posted: May-17-2017 at 3:57pm
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Good advice. I'll try it. I'll ask the forum contact why I can't post a picture with my reply ------------- paul |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-17-2017 at 5:29pm
Have you:
------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: d4carlon
Date Posted: May-26-2017 at 6:38am
| Try to check out Poli Glow. No need to polish or buff the surface. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-26-2017 at 7:30am
Carl, It's always great to open up the site in the morning and see some humor. It brightens up my day! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |