Wansworth
Well-Known Member
I have orders to make my rather faded grp boat shine what would be the way to achivethis at least expense and effort,thanks......although in my heart it is not possible
Shining grp
- Thread starter Wansworth
- Start date
VicS
Well-Known Member
What colour is it ?
Red and dark colours that have faded or chalked need a fair bit of effort to restore .....but I thought it was white !
You still in Paynes? ... Talk to Michael !
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Yep still here,bit like hotel California.......will ask michael
CrikeyChris
Well-Known Member
Aha - I think I know your identity. Not sure why I should help seeing as you forgot my name but I will give you one last chance!
Luckily have just got a s/h polisher with some cutting compound/s thrown in so if you are willing we can practice on your boat - I expect very good to excellent results. Will be over in a few days. Am curious to know who instructed you to improve your boats appearance?
Don't let the boss work you to hard.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
It was a general consensus not including me!
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
By the way we would like to organize an outing in your boat
CrikeyChris
Well-Known Member
Over the winter/spring I made several suggestions that we should start work on your craft without you but the feeling I got was that it was not the "done thing" to unilaterally start working on another persons boat - but I see I should of trusted my instincts.
As to an outing - I am always up to go cruising!
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
I certainly would not have minded!...........Dave will be in contact re yard outing!
CrikeyChris
Well-Known Member
Pre and Post purchase of the polisher (courtesy of Gordons Gin) I did some research on improving the appearance of gelcoat and I found a series of youtube videos under the general banner of Boatworks Today. One dedicated to gelcoat buffing and care can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jrrPSjWTnc
I found it an excellent series by a personable and very able man. He is based in the U.S.A so some of the products/terms he mentions may not be familiar to viewers outside the U.S.
In brief ; if gelcoat is looking very sad the first step is washing - washing up liquid in warm water is as good as anything.
Follow that by removing (as little as possible) the surface of the gelcoat - normally done by compounding liquid/paste (3M, Farecla) but I have used wet & dry sandpaper 800 - 2000 grit on small areas.
This is followed by applying a polish or wax and buffing it.
A polisher with variable speed is very useful on larger areas but I started by hand in small areas and it can give a useful indication of what can be achieved.
I found it an excellent series by a personable and very able man. He is based in the U.S.A so some of the products/terms he mentions may not be familiar to viewers outside the U.S.
In brief ; if gelcoat is looking very sad the first step is washing - washing up liquid in warm water is as good as anything.
Follow that by removing (as little as possible) the surface of the gelcoat - normally done by compounding liquid/paste (3M, Farecla) but I have used wet & dry sandpaper 800 - 2000 grit on small areas.
This is followed by applying a polish or wax and buffing it.
A polisher with variable speed is very useful on larger areas but I started by hand in small areas and it can give a useful indication of what can be achieved.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Ok thanks,have made a start.........
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Boats are quantum particles. You can have expense without effort, or effort without expense, but you can't do without one or other.
[163233]
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To that end we had surprisingly good results with grpMAJiC (Apparently their choice of caps) at 11 quid for a tub (650ml) it fits the expense angle but required little effort for quite a big improvement. I'm guessing it's an Oxalic acid gel. Got it from yellow to white at any rate.
If you're at the polishing point, you've probably already tried that though..
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
Going for thr circumnavigation via Cape Horn look,after consideration!
niccapotamus
Well-Known Member
we did this on prev white boat
now have to do same on a blue one
wash thoroughly.
cutting compound
polishing compound
wax compound
products as previously recommended - we used 3m and maybe maguires was - found the liquid wax easier to apply than the more solid stuff in a pot
get a variable speed polisher like the silverline one - heavy but cheapish. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline...532355571&sr=8-1&keywords=silverline+polisher
you might need steps or set up a plank walkway at the right height
will build up your arm muscles
now have to do same on a blue one
wash thoroughly.
cutting compound
polishing compound
wax compound
products as previously recommended - we used 3m and maybe maguires was - found the liquid wax easier to apply than the more solid stuff in a pot
get a variable speed polisher like the silverline one - heavy but cheapish. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline...532355571&sr=8-1&keywords=silverline+polisher
you might need steps or set up a plank walkway at the right height
will build up your arm muscles
seaangler23
Well-Known Member
Depends on how bad it is, my hull is a 70s well used example and needed a fair bit I did
Oxilic acid to remove the worst of the stains
2500grit with soapy water to remove marks and light scratches
Medium cutting compound with machine polisher
3m polish
Transformed it but it’s far from perfect, it will be done again this winter with finer compound
Oxilic acid to remove the worst of the stains
2500grit with soapy water to remove marks and light scratches
Medium cutting compound with machine polisher
3m polish
Transformed it but it’s far from perfect, it will be done again this winter with finer compound
ronsurf
Well-Known Member
Cornflour makes a cheap and cheerful polishing compound. Mix it to a paste and off you go.
Tips when polishing - don't let it get hot
If you're using a proprietary polishing compound, don't use fresh stuff over old - it's designed to break up into smaller particles, so when you bung a load of fresh stuff on it you're adding more coarser material, if that makes any sense.
Rust stains can be removed with oxalic acid. I bought mine online in powder form
Tips when polishing - don't let it get hot
If you're using a proprietary polishing compound, don't use fresh stuff over old - it's designed to break up into smaller particles, so when you bung a load of fresh stuff on it you're adding more coarser material, if that makes any sense.
Rust stains can be removed with oxalic acid. I bought mine online in powder form