regaining shine after repair

[johnmuir]

I have just repaired the gel coat but have hade difficulty regaining the shine. I have sanded down to 600 grade and used medium rubbing compound followed by wax but still can 't get the shine back. Should I use lighter compound or is the gloss gone forever? Any info appreciated.
John

 

[BarryH]

Treat the gelcoat as you would paint on a car. You probably need to go down to 1200 grade wet and dry use it wet. Then use a compound such as G3 or a gelcoat rubbing compound. As with anything like this the more effort, the better the result. Oh and plenty of eldow grease. Good luck with it.

 

[coliholic]

BarryH is dead right. Minimum 1200 wet and dry used wet, add a squirt of fairy liquid too. If you can get it then go to 2000 again used wet, ideally using 1600 first. Then G3 farecla and polish and you'll be shocked and stunned and will be telling everyone, "Hey come and see WHAT I'VE DONE".

It'll come up magic, but gotta go with finer wet and dry first. But MUST be used wet.

 

[steve_cronin]

You might even...

need to use Tcut after the farecla and even after that Duraglit or silver/brass polish

You are after all trying to get a mirror finish!

DON't use a rotary polisher. It might look good at first but the dreaded "swirls" wil soon become apparent. A "Waxmaster" (RANDOM orbital polisher) can save effort but there really is no substitute for tired joints and cracked finger ends!!

Steve Cronin

 

[johnmuir]

Re: You might even...

Thanks for info. bought G3 today at local chandlers. Expensive but if it gives a good result it's worth it.
THANKS AGAIN