Fibreglass Bloom

[nevis768]

I've got a white bloom on a red fibreglass hull, about 30 years old. It's on a large dinghy, right down both sides, will it polish out and what's the best stuff to use.

 

[chris-s]

Sounds like typical oxidation. I would use something simple like a medium cutting polish to remove the oxidation.

 

[MikeBz]

… and then some kind of UV protection to delay its return.

 

[nevis768]

Thanks, I will try those suggestions

 

[Refueler]

It will return ... needs cutting back and then a barrier polish applied .. but most incidents of this return within same season ..

 

[B27]

You may need to remove relatively large amounts of gelcoat.
On my dinghies I tend to use fine wet sandpaper.
There's normally the odd scratch which will indicate the reaining depth of gelcoat. It was pretty thick on a lot of older boats.

grades like 1000 to 4000 or so are most useful
Then get the Farecla out.

Get a cover with deep skirts to keep the sun off if you can, but waxing a few times a year will help.

 

[johnalison]

As other say, be as rough as you like, and be prepared to paint it if nothing works.

 

[nevis768]

Thanks all, hopefully I can get away without painting it. It's my old trailer sailer which I'm selling.

 

[VicS]

Thanks all, hopefully I can get away without painting it. It's my old trailer sailer which I'm selling.

Yes you should be able to cut it back and polish it.
I have done my red hulled Sea Wych several times. Materials and techniques have changed over the years . If it is really bad consider starting off with very fine wet & dry as suggested above.

Take a look at this Farecla page. Solution list by market | Farécla.

To begin with I used a foam compounding mop on an electric drill running at a slow speed but I later bought an inexpensive sander-polisher ( Silverline) but it's worth buying good quality foam compounding and lambs wool polishing mops although the final polishing is not too arduous a task to do by hand.

 

[Refueler]

Yes you should be able to cut it back and polish it.
I have done my red hulled Sea Wych several times. Materials and techniques have changed over the years . If it is really bad consider starting off with very fine wet & dry as suggested above.

Take a look at this Farecla page. Solution list by market | Farécla.

To begin with I used a foam compounding mop on an electric drill running at a slow speed but I later bought an inexpensive sander-polisher ( Silverline) but it's worth buying good quality foam compounding and lambs wool polishing mops although the final polishing is not too arduous a task to do by hand.

Once the boot topping is done and the few touch ups where pontoon caused some nicks / scrapes during a storm ... I will have my powered polisher out to buff up the hull of the 38.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Reds are the worst, no matter what it’s made of. You could call it ‘old Ford-itis’. How many red fords of more than about 10 years are still the proper red? I’ve just repainted my wooden boat from red to light blue for the same reason.

 

[nevis768]

Once the boot topping is done and the few touch ups where pontoon caused some nicks / scrapes during a storm ... I will have my powered polisher out to buff up the hull of the 38.

Thanks for that advice Vic

 

[Refueler]

Thanks for that advice Vic

Think that reply was meant for VicS ... not me !!

 

[Refueler]

Reds are the worst, no matter what it’s made of. You could call it ‘old Ford-itis’. How many red fords of more than about 10 years are still the proper red? I’ve just repainted my wooden boat from red to light blue for the same reason.

I always hated red boats ... made me think of Gypsy Carnivals ... but this one seems to grow on you ...

But yes - red seems to be a bad colour to keep nice .. black is another.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I always hated red boats ... made me think of Gypsy Carnivals ... but this one seems to grow on you ...

But yes - red seems to be a bad colour to keep nice .. black is another.

Mine used to be a sort of plum colour. She’s kind of pale summer sky now. I didn’t mind the colour, it was just the UV damage.

 

[OCuea]

Red degrades more than any other I have found. Will simple T cut polish work? A quick job if you are going to sell. A longer job needed if going to keep

 

[nevis768]

I've just ordered a polishing machine, so will update

 

[Refueler]

Red degrades more than any other I have found. Will simple T cut polish work? A quick job if you are going to sell. A longer job needed if going to keep

T Cut - you have to be careful with as any residue from it can yellow ...

I use it though after Oxalic to remove any oxidised residue / bloom of the gelcoat. Then a going over with Cilit Bang or similar to make sure all is removed before using a liquid wash and wax ...

I see guys with polishers and wax . spending hours at it ... month or so later - not much difference between mine and theirs ..... (my white SR25).

My red Conq38 .... that actually is still quite glossy despite lack of cleaning / polishing by me. Its International Perfection 2 pack ... seems to be quite good.
Once yard has completed hull work - she will get a quickie once over and then launch. Have a rendezvous to make with a CA member over in Sweden early July ...

 

[nevis768]

I managed to remove the oxidation today using 3M medium cutting compound. Didn't take long with a buffer I got from Amazon. I used a sheep wool pad, and then a polishing pad. Thanks to all for advice.