• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

anyone have good methods for bringing back faded gelcoat?

Status
Not open for further replies.
seadoo/skidoo

seadoo/skidoo

New Member
Well My seadoo's gelcoat is really starting to take a beating after sitting in the water all year long year after year. the white looks dull and the green on the bottom is going more white. my hood is starting to show signs of fading:( and the grab bar and handlebar pad has bad mold on it. I need everyones help to make this thing look like new all suggestions are a help :thumbsup:

Nathan
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The hood will need cleaned and painted. The hull can be rubbed out to look new. I like 3M superduty compound, and a rotary polisher.
 
I know I've posted these before... but Here's before and after of a couple projects.

239.jpg


20.jpg


77.jpg


11.jpg








63.jpg


65.jpg


64.jpg


80.jpg
 
None of the gel is new paint. It was all rubbed out with 3M compound, and it will look new.

FYI... it will make a mess, so wear old clothes.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
i have 3m perfect it rubbing compound...
just dont like how it turns out...i mean mine isnt too faded and i had my bowrider too that was dull and i wet sanded, polished, coupoud, wax and only 1 shade better. this is with a nice variable speed polisher
 
If you want to bring your gel coat back to brand new then you will need some wet sand paper and an orbital polisher capable of about 1500 rpm and some wool pads for it. Start with 1000 grit wet sand paper to strip the oxidation and then move to 1500 then to 2000. By the time your done with that all oxidation should be gone and the surface of the gel coat should be very smooth. Once your done with that then you go to the orbital polisher with the wool pads. I got a polisher at harbor freight for like $40 bucks and the pads for about $20 if I remember correctly. Go to west marine and buy Buff Magic polishing compound, its expensive but in my opinion nothing compares. You paint that on with a paint brush in small section then polish it with the polisher until you can barely see it and then just wipe it off. Your gel coat will look like a mirror again. Once your done your going to have to put a couple coats of quality wax on to protect everything.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks everyone for the help :thumbsup:. Dr Honda the ski and boat look great after the 3m compound! I am going to trying that for sure! :cheers:

Nathan
 
i prefer the Meguairs mirror finish compound. I did a thread on cleaning up the hulls a few days ago. I have many pictures up, check it out
 
my red one was looking faded, I happened to have some clear coat from painting my car, I took a foam brush and brushed it on the hull and handle bar, wow what a difference, never thought that would work so well. hope this helps
 
If you don't have a buffer pick up one of these
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-electronic-polisher-66615.html

I did my XP with this kit
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Marine-Fiberglass-Restoration-System/dp/B0000AY4YT

Use the wool pad on for the oxidation remover and the foam pad for the polish. Then hand apply the wax. Don't be afraid to apply some pressure as your buffing the ski. Gel coat is 10 times more forgiving than automotive paint. The hood and handle bar pad was painted with Krylon Fusion and the guage pod cover was painted with Rustoleum Universal

Here is a picture of my xp done. Stripping the stickers was by far the biggest PITA! :ack:
attachment.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My 2001 Red GTX was totally faded out. I put 2 coats of Penatrol which I bought at Lowes. Then, waxed with Turtle Wax. Hull shines like new. Works on any faded gel coat.
 
gbone87 said:
If you want to bring your gel coat back to brand new then you will need some wet sand paper and an orbital polisher capable of about 1500 rpm and some wool pads for it. Start with 1000 grit wet sand paper to strip the oxidation and then move to 1500 then to 2000. By the time your done with that all oxidation should be gone and the surface of the gel coat should be very smooth. Once your done with that then you go to the orbital polisher with the wool pads. I got a polisher at harbor freight for like $40 bucks and the pads for about $20 if I remember correctly. Go to west marine and buy Buff Magic polishing compound, its expensive but in my opinion nothing compares. You paint that on with a paint brush in small section then polish it with the polisher until you can barely see it and then just wipe it off. Your gel coat will look like a mirror again. Once your done your going to have to put a couple coats of quality wax on to protect everything.
Click to expand...

agree totally with this, buff magic is great stuff, i've done like 6 ski's, and a boat with it, results are amazing, and i'm a huge fan of simple 1500 wet sanding and lots of elbow grease.
 
92 Spi.jpg

Im in a good spot since my brother owns a detail shop. A couple of steps and my old dried out SP shines again. The gray hull was almost white, and the top was all chalky.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Capnron209 said:
Get at Lowes in Paint Dept. about $8 for quart. Will do lots of boats. Let dry between coats.
Click to expand...

okie dokie.. i'm a sucker for new idea's...

100.jpg



but honestly, i'm working on a 97 xp right now, the whole bottom was no longer yellow, more like white/yellow, it literally took me maybe 45 minutes & change to buff 90% of the bottom to make it look significantly better, its not glowing, and never will be, i just wanted to take off that first layer of bad stuff. about 2oz of buff magic and a cheap orbital buffer., i'll wet sand and hand buff the hard to reach spots. then a quick buff over everything when i'm done, maybe a total of 2 hours invested, and that includes coming inside to grab a beer out of the frig twice
 
Dr Honda said:
None of the gel is new paint. It was all rubbed out with 3M compound, and it will look new.

FYI... it will make a mess, so wear old clothes.
Click to expand...

Dr Honda Can you give me some more info on how you shined up that boat? I have a 1995 Sportster that looks like your did before.

How long do you estimate it took to buff and shine the entire boat?
What buffer did you use?
What process? Did you just throw some compound on the buffer and go at it? Did you follow up with a wax or anything?
Also did you get a local shop to recover your seats? Was it pricey? Mine are in bad shape and i cant find anyone selling any.

Thanks for your help.
 
Jeff_5_7 said:
Dr Honda Can you give me some more info on how you shined up that boat? I have a 1995 Sportster that looks like your did before.

How long do you estimate it took to buff and shine the entire boat?
What buffer did you use?
What process? Did you just throw some compound on the buffer and go at it? Did you follow up with a wax or anything?
Also did you get a local shop to recover your seats? Was it pricey? Mine are in bad shape and i cant find anyone selling any.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...


Check these out it may help

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?57274-Pictorial-On-how-to-buff-your-faded-nasty-hull

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?48028-How-to-clean-your-sun-faded-hood-cover-w-pictures
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Useful seadoo information
2
Replies
30
Views
18,083
griz400
G
Back
Top