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  1. #1
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    How to remove white residue off red gelcoat

    How should I restore this gelcoat? The red gel coat is pretty dull in most places and has a white residue...What I was thinking are the following steps

    Steps
    first: 3M Compound high gloss cut
    second: 3M Finesse
    third: teflon wax (any recommendations?)

    Using a Variable Speed Polisher from Harbor Frieght
    http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...her-60626.html

    Is this a good plan? I would also need to know what type of PAD and RPM to use on each step?? Anything else I should know?


  2. #2
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    Here is my list after researching a little bit. I want to remove the chalk and bring out the shiny wet look, the whole top of the boat is pretty dull.

    7 in. 10 Amp Variable Speed Polisher Drill Master - item#60626 from Harbor Freight

    3M 05718 Perfect-It Back-Up Pad

    3M 05719 Perfect-It Wool Compounding Pad for 3M COMPOUND for HIGH GLOSS GELCOAT 3M 06025

    3M 05713 9" Wool Polishing Pad for 3M 06039 Finesse-it White Marine Paste Compound and 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax

    Am I missing anything??

  3. #3
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    Anyone??????

  4. #4
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    I have seen it done to a lot worse than that, and it took the guy a few days with lots of cutting. When he started you wouldn't think it was possible to bring it back up . Lots of polish with lesser grain to final gloss. Never rushing , just steady hours.

  5. #5
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    Hard to tell you what to start cutting it with by just looking at pictures , last one I did had a lot of thickness left in the gel so I started with 400 for a few passes then went to 600 then 1000 befor I put the compound to it
    1990 hydrostream virage diamondpower280

  6. #6
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    I can post more pictures when it's warmer with the cover off. But the white residue isn't that thick, just noticeable. I really want to bring out the shine since the whole top of the boat is DULL red.

    Here are some pictures from last year when I picked up the boat. You can see the white residue but like it said it's pretty dull, You can see the bottom black is more shiny than the top black area. I know you can't tell that well by the pictures but do you guys think I should sand first? I would really hate to sand and just go straight to the compound.

    And you can see in the second pictures some area is wet and looks pretty good.




  7. #7
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    Read my post about polishing out a black lavey...looked worse than yours...came out like glass....Mcquire 105 with rotary.. Finesse with orbital....wax...Could have used 3m super duty compound....wet sanding is too much work if you can use the right compounds....just my 02

  8. #8
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    Should I use the Meguiars 105 or 85? Can you recommend a wool pad. I am not sure what would fit on the rotarys

  9. #9
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    Be careful with a rotary, you can burn the gel. Rotary really should only be used with someone who has experience with them in my opinion. I had an 18' Talon (white) that was cleaned by the previous owner with soft scrub. You can imagine how chalky and dull the gel was. I brought it back to a very high gloss and smooth shine using a DA (dual action) polisher and 3M Heavy Duty Compound. I never even got to the medium and fine cut polishes because I was happy enough with the HD. But I would imagine on Red you would need to complete the polishing to avoid the swirls. Like stated above, patience is key because gel is much harder than auto paint and needs lots of heat to see a change. Stay away from an orbital buffer because you will never accomplish much other than wasting your time. Get yourself a good DA and some 3M HD Compound and try it out in a small area. It took me almost 13hrs just for an 18' boat and that wasn't even getting into the medium and fine cuts. Good luck!
    2004 Deep Impact 36 Triple 300 Verados
    1998 Donzi 35 ZFC Triple 300 Verados FOR SALE
    1989 24ft Skater, Twin Diamond Marine 280's with Diamond Tuners, 34p Cleavers. A few pieces of JL Audio equipment.- SOLD
    1988 18ft Talon- SOLD

  10. #10
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    2004 Deep Impact 36 Triple 300 Verados
    1998 Donzi 35 ZFC Triple 300 Verados FOR SALE
    1989 24ft Skater, Twin Diamond Marine 280's with Diamond Tuners, 34p Cleavers. A few pieces of JL Audio equipment.- SOLD
    1988 18ft Talon- SOLD

  11. #11
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    I was going so slow I almost crashed. - JamesGang

    1978 24 Superboat - 250 EFI
    Sold: 1991 Starliner - 250 EFI Merc 3.0

  12. #12
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    Great link- don't really want to wet sand, but my red gelcoat does look exactly like that guy's

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aaronhl View Post
    Great link- don't really want to wet sand, but my red gelcoat does look exactly like that guy's
    Try the least aggressive method first and see if you're happy with the results. If not, step it up to next most aggressive.
    2004 Deep Impact 36 Triple 300 Verados
    1998 Donzi 35 ZFC Triple 300 Verados FOR SALE
    1989 24ft Skater, Twin Diamond Marine 280's with Diamond Tuners, 34p Cleavers. A few pieces of JL Audio equipment.- SOLD
    1988 18ft Talon- SOLD

  14. #14
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    Good tip!!!

  15. #15
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    At the end of the day it would have taken me much longer to try to buff through the oxidation with compound than it did to wet sand it away.

    John
    I was going so slow I almost crashed. - JamesGang

    1978 24 Superboat - 250 EFI
    Sold: 1991 Starliner - 250 EFI Merc 3.0

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