gel coat trouble

[thedoc]

I have a 22 y old HR 36; the gel coat at the bow quickly colours to an unpleasant yellow after being sailed for a few weeks, the colour change down the hull is much less marked. It comes up well with gelcoat cleaner but quickly returns to its yellowed state.
Apart from cleaning and polishing it very frequently (I would rather go sailing), are there any other options, or am I looking at a new paint job.........

 

[capetown]

Sounds like your gelcoat may be a tad porous?

You might like to try Oxalic acid to remove the stain, buff up with a cutting past then seal it with glaze or wax polish.


Works for me.

 

[Stork_III]

I have a 22 y old HR 36; the gel coat at the bow quickly colours to an unpleasant yellow after being sailed for a few weeks, the colour change down the hull is much less marked. It comes up well with gelcoat cleaner but quickly returns to its yellowed state.
Apart from cleaning and polishing it very frequently (I would rather go sailing), are there any other options, or am I looking at a new paint job.........

Could be where you sail, West Baltic? Happens to my boat after 2 or 3 weeks in Dutch Inland Waters, due to diesel residues in the relatively static water. No problems back in UK waters.