Making the cockpit look like new... on a budget...

[yoda]

If you have loads of free time, why don't you go sailing? I bought a boat to sail on, not to sit in a boatyard polishing it.

I frequently combine the two using passages under sail to work on small areas while enjoying the sun.

Yoda

 

[Heckler]

have you read the threads on oxalic acid ?

Rhubarb leaves soaked in hot water for 24 hours, then add a lump of sculpturing/modelling clay makes a soggy cheap mixture ready to clean GRP. Do wear long plastic gloves though.

Bluddy heck Tim, its cheap enough for the real stuff in Ebay!
Stu

 

[William_H]

As said the process of cleaning up your cockpit starts with oxalic acid. Any sort of grease or similar might need acetone to shift it.
I also use a lot of bleach for mold inside the cabin.
You might try fine wet and dry sand paper or a cutting polish. Repainting is a last resort but does nicely cover repairs etc.
Trying to use gel coat on an old boat is not good. Gel coat is best used in the construction phase where it joins to the later laid fibreglass and resin with a chemical bond. There is no chemical bond onto old GRP and gel coat does not stick as well as paint.
Polyurethane paint is better for a recoat. It is as tough or tougher than polyester and adheres very well.
Just don't do as I did and try to change the colour from the original gel coat. The other problem with painting is that it will smooth out the non skid areas. A good reason to not paint or gel coat but you can add grit to improve grip. Intergrip from Ibnternational is good.
Ultimately you will do as much as you8r urge takes you in cleaning up the cockpit and whole boat. As said sailing is more fun good luck olewill

 

[BruceDanforth]

Not indefinitely.

There are a few parts on my cockpit where the gelcoat has been damaged by a previous owner with some kind of electric polisher.

I have never understood why anyone would consider painting GRP. Unless full of holes, it can always be cut back to a good finish.

 

[onesea]

If you have loads of free time, why don't you go sailing? I bought a boat to sail on, not to sit in a boatyard polishing it.

+1 If the boat is reasonable condition it is cheaper to sail her than to work on her! I am not saying that you should not do anything but make hey when the sunshine..

I also use a lot of bleach for mold inside the cabin.

The problem is bleach destroys things, helps paint peel of bulkheads, etc I try and avoid having the stuff onboard.
My mother taught me sugar soap is what you want (after I ahd made the mistake with bleach), it does seem to keep mold at bay longer...