Gelcoat renovation

[bobm]

When I was polishing the hull last year there was a professional polishing the hull of another boat and the results were superb. He was rubbing a white paste on then polishing off with an orbital sander. I spoke with him and he explained the stuff he was using impregnated the gelcoat surface and placed a thin layer if white pigment back into the gelcoat, he did tell me the name of the product but alas I cannot remember. Anyone any idea what it would have been or can anyone recomend a product, have tried many of the standard off the shelf products which were nowhere near the performance he achieved.

 

[Csail]

Was it feracular

 

[Avocet]

I think that might be "Farecla" - they're a very popular range of buffing compounds (varying coarseness depending on the job in hand). Used widely in automotive paint shops. I wasn't aware of anything of theirs that impregnated the gelcoat with white pigment though (although the buffing compound is a sort of off-white).

 

[richardblake]

"Fareercla" Certainly does not put a pigment back into the gel coat, it is purely and simply a cutting comppound that comes in various grades. Some professionals will use an acid to remove some staining and then polish aftwards. To obtain the best results is a skilled time consuming job and 3m have a very good system which involves the following. Sand hull with an orbital sander using a 800 - 1000 grit sanding disk depending on quality of existing gel. Gradually work up through the sand papers i.e 1500 and 2000 grit. From here use the finishing compound and good quality polisher, once you have a very good gloss apply 3m ultra performance wax to maintain the uv protection twice a year. If the gel is in good condition you can forget the sanding and go straight to the finishing compound. As to a product that imprgnates colour into the gel "sounds good but 99% sure its an old wives tale". All the best.

 

[sjclewes]

hi there i would use autoglym o3b fine compound with a bm160 headand a polisher with a speed of around 1800 rpm sealey do a good one around £120