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  1. #1
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    Question Bringing Glass Back to Life

    Well I've been searching all over and haven't found a thread that covers bringing old fiberglass back to life.

    You can see here...

    The boat has been outside uncovered forever. The surface was a great smooth metal flake, 30 years ago, now it's a rough moldy and dirty mess!

    I picked a small spot, washed it, and used a little rubbing compound and she started to sparkle again. But I'm worried about destroying the finish somehow.

    My question is: Is this the proper thing to do? Wash and clean as best as possible and then breakout the rubbing compound? Or is there a special product to use?

    It is extremely important to me to not destroy the original paint/surface. I wan't this thing looking like it did in the 70's!

    Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by Meatbasher; 10-08-2010 at 05:34 PM. Reason: move pic

  2. #2
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    pompano bch fl.
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    wash it real good wet sand it and shoot it with clear

  3. #3
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    Thanks sammy. I just stumbled onto iBoats and found about a hundred different threads on this process!

  4. #4
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    gelcoat

    oops double post
    Last edited by Meatbasher; 10-08-2010 at 06:34 PM. Reason: double post

  5. #5
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    Gel will last longer get with a shop and ask them how they want it preped do it yourself and save some money.

  6. #6
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    I have had excellent luck with metal flake boats, clean well, remove all deck hardware, start with 400 wet sand, 800, then 1200. 3M makes a unbelievable buffing compound(but expensive) for gelcoat. I would stay away from the clear coat if I were you.
    "Even the biggest nuts wont keep your sponsons on the water"


  7. #7
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    Thanks for the info John. Where are you guys picking up your supplies? Autobody supply shops? Marine stores? Normal Paint store? I figure all these may have the goods but not sure if one is better than the other.

  8. #8
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    My local NAPA parts store has all the wet sanding paper and the 3M compound, it is called "Perfect-it III, part # 05936
    "Even the biggest nuts wont keep your sponsons on the water"


  9. #9
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    Thanks John.

  10. #10
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    Compounding will only work if the clear gel coat over the flake is still deep enough to polish out. What happens most of the time is the clear gets so oxidized and pitted that the only way to shine the flake back up is to shoot more clear on it.
    1970 15' Allison/135 Chrysler stacker
    RC Mod-VP Boats

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