Finishing Gel Coat

C-Dawg · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:32 pm Post subject: Finishing Gel Coat

I just patched up a few dings in the hull with Marine Tex. Sanded smooth with 600 wet/dry paper. Now what? How do I get the shine back in the surrounding gel coat? 1000 grit? Buffing compound?

Can someone help me with the particulars?

Thanks.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject:

Rick,

I'm no expert but I did the same thing last year. I filled with MarineTex but then I drilled out a little out so that I could fill with gelcoat paste. Then I started sanding with a sanding block. First with a rough grit, then increasingly finer wet/dry sand paper. Miraculously, it was smooth and shiny like before.

See the Don Casey library for instructions on how to do it. Don Casey gelcoat repair

It works!

Peter

C-Dawg · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Peter, that's a helpful read.

So now that I'm at the rubbing compound/polishing phase, is there a particular type I should use?

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject:

So are you saying you filled with Gelcoat and then sanded? If so, the wet/dry sanding should get it to look glossy again. If you sanded MarineTex, I don't believe it finishes to a gloss.

I have used the 3m rubbing compound and that works well for getting small scratches out.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:55 pm Post subject:

600 is too course, work out to 1200 grit, then use one of the rubbing compounds. Most professional fiberglass repair folks do not like Marine Tex, since you basically have to remove it to regel coat. It does not buff out, and it will change color with age (and UV exposure).

When the gel coat is buffed out, put on a good coat of Colinite Fleet wax.

C-Dawg · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks, gents, that's the info I needed. I'll smooth things out with 1200 wet/dry, then some rubbing/polishing compound.