1998 GTX limited Aztec Red or Viper Red?

[makaveli07]

Hey everyone,

Im looking to do some gelcoat touchups on the bottom of my hull, previous owner of the ski beached it and there are scratched and some gouges (no fibeerglass showing) all in the gelcoat. I figured i would get some gelcoat touch them up sand and buff. I called Gelcoat international and specturm color. they both see the 1998 GTX being viper red, however spectrum color said they came in both colors. I dont know what color I have and what color gelcoat i should be buying. Mine looks like a dark red/ Burgundy color

 

[mikidymac]

1998 & 1999 were Aztec red.

 

[makaveli07]

1998 & 1999 were Aztec red.

According to Gelcoat international its a very old color that they don't make anymore, they told me to call spectrum colors to see if i can still get it. In the case i don't just touch-up and wanted to respray the whole bottom of the hull how much gelcoat would i need? would a quart be enough to just respray?

 

[mikidymac]

No, you don't want to get into all that. Your hull is not even bad at all. Just buff it at the most and ride that thing.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

wool pad on a 7" buffer from harbor freight and some cutting compound will take out 60-70% of that and make it look a lot better.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-62861.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-1-2-half-inch-wool-buffing-pad-90451.html
i'm not 100% sure on which one i use, but i think this is correct. I have to go look in my shop for which I use. good stuff. it starts cutting hard then lightens up as it dries. not cheap, but good stuff.

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-oz-fine-cut-cleaner-62561.html
i use a dual action on the cars
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-MT3...ocphy=9006732&hvtargid=pla-435739171671&psc=1
the lousy body shop used a standard one and now I have swirls all over my black car... they claim they shined it up... ugh.

 

[1of500]

I agree with squirrel. If no glass visible buff it. It will be fine.

 

[mikidymac]

I use the Meguiar’s Marine line as it has more oils and lubricants than the automotive stuff for fiberglass gelcoat. I start with heavy cut, then fine polish and finish with machine glaze using a different wool pad for each and 1,000 rpm on the buffer. Finally a coat of StarBrite marine polish with Teflon by hand.

Start with this....

End up with this......

 

[makaveli07]

wool pad on a 7" buffer from harbor freight and some cutting compound will take out 60-70% of that and make it look a lot better.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-62861.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-1-2-half-inch-wool-buffing-pad-90451.html
i'm not 100% sure on which one i use, but i think this is correct. I have to go look in my shop for which I use. good stuff. it starts cutting hard then lightens up as it dries. not cheap, but good stuff.

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-oz-fine-cut-cleaner-62561.html
i use a dual action on the cars
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-MT3...ocphy=9006732&hvtargid=pla-435739171671&psc=1
the lousy body shop used a standard one and now I have swirls all over my black car... they claim they shined it up... ugh.

I use the mt300 on my truck as well!

 

[makaveli07]

I use the Meguiar’s Marine line as it has more oils and lubricants than the automotive stuff for fiberglass gelcoat. I start with heavy cut, then fine polish and finish with machine glaze using a different wool pad for each and 1,000 rpm on the buffer. Finally a coat of StarBrite marine polish with Teflon by hand.

Start with this....

End up with this......

Waw the thing looks new lol, ill get some marine line and a rotary as the mt300 dual action isnt tough enough for gelcoat

 

[noviceskier]

When I did my hx, I had wet sanded going in stages 1000, 1500, 2000, then finished it off with 3000. I just used regular automotive compound & polish. Took me about a week spending a couple hours going through it in sections. Gelcoat really does buff out amazingly if you're willing to put in the effort. Only thing I'll do now is just hand polish it from time to time. But other than that you'll be golden. Just before to have a nice playlist with music of your choice before starting haha.

I had used a little 3inch snap-on minibuffer to get in all the curves and crevices, but that tool you posted will work great when you're ready to polish it.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

i think the MT300 would work, but it's overkill on price and effort... the MT300 w/the correct pads and (not cheap) fluids makes my car pop, and protects it. but on gelcoat would take days to buff... the pad and rotary work fine for gel.

Rotary on car leaves lines, especially on black. If there's an 'other' sub on here I'll post some before/after on my car when i get a chance. I'll do the boat too before I launch it this summer.

my buddy did all the buffing/polishing/conditioning for the Porsche dealer, so he tells my what to use on the cars.

my next truck is bulletproof stainless steel. no more wax no more polish. no door dents lol.

 

[makaveli07]

i think the MT300 would work, but it's overkill on price and effort... the MT300 w/the correct pads and (not cheap) fluids makes my car pop, and protects it. but on gelcoat would take days to buff... the pad and rotary work fine for gel.

Rotary on car leaves lines, especially on black. If there's an 'other' sub on here I'll post some before/after on my car when i get a chance. I'll do the boat too before I launch it this summer.

my buddy did all the buffing/polishing/conditioning for the Porsche dealer, so he tells my what to use on the cars.

my next truck is bulletproof stainless steel. no more wax no more polish. no door dents lol.

I use the mt300 to detail my truck. But i agree a rotary would be much faster on gelcoat. Are you getting a cybertruck ??

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I use the mt300 to detail my truck. But i agree a rotary would be much faster on gelcoat. Are you getting a cybertruck ??

I have one on order, I'll test drive before I buy. If I like it, yes. I want the size, towing capacity, and to never worry about dents/scratches in paint again.
If I don't like it, I'll probably get a new Model S. I love my X, but the S was my absolute fav of all of all I've had. S, 3, and X now... they are kind of addictive lol.

 

[makaveli07]

I have one on order, I'll test drive before I buy. If I like it, yes. I want the size, towing capacity, and to never worry about dents/scratches in paint again.
If I don't like it, I'll probably get a new Model S. I love my X, but the S was my absolute fav of all of all I've had. S, 3, and X now... they are kind of addictive lol.

The new model S is insanely quick, but i would probably get a cybertruck for practicality reasons and its not a huge compromise in speed lol

 

[toolman60]

I use the Meguiar’s Marine line as it has more oils and lubricants than the automotive stuff for fiberglass gelcoat. I start with heavy cut, then fine polish and finish with machine glaze using a different wool pad for each and 1,000 rpm on the buffer. Finally a coat of StarBrite marine polish with Teflon by hand.

Start with this....


End up with this......

Did you just use the Meguiars Gelcoat Restoration kit or specific Meguiars produts to get them results.

 

[mikidymac]

Did you just use the Meguiars Gelcoat Restoration kit or specific Meguiars produts to get them results.

The kit would probably be the easiest if you don't want to buy separately but just make sure it is the Marine Line. Maguire's Marine