Faded gel coat

B

butchdave

New member
I will soon have the task of trying to do something with a faded gel coat on glass fibre. Actually I have two to do, but the one below is the most obvious. I will be doing it by hand, but the question is, will a chemical type cleaner - AIO or similar work, will I need to go the abrasive route or does nothing really work on gel coat?



10069front-med.jpg
 
Gel coat is tougher than clearcoat and oxidizes easier too. You need an aggressive product in combination with a rotary buffer and a wool pad. If you are not experienced with a rotary buffer, ask someone for help!! I don't think hand polishing will do you much good...........
 
DETAILKING said:
I don't think hand polishing will do you much good...........
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Yes - I had a quick polish a few months ago, didn't even touch the oxidisation (it was a mild polish). OK I will go more aggressive - but carefully! :)
 
My old 84 F150 pickup cap had the same faded finish. I used "boat" products to restore and maintain. I remember a three step process cleaner, polish, sealant. Initially I tried it by hand and it worked but when complete it was not a consistent finish/shine. I then used a wool bonnet on a drll with the cleaner and that did it. Boy did it shine like new again.

I see Meguiars has a marine product line now but at the time I used Starbrite products and the results were great. Here is a link to a Marine store with product info for you.

Fiberglass Marine Product Info



Don't forget pictures ,before and after or even a half and half.
 
Yea I don't know much from the car side of things but for boats you usually use some pretty agressive techniques on gelcoat...
 
OK, thanks for advice, its going to be a long project as it needs a new chassis. I will buy some new wool mops and play with the drill. This one will be an every day driver so if I mess up the finish it won't matter too much. It will also give me chance to play with some different products.



Once its done I will be starting on the second one and this will be rebuilt with a lot more care.



Before and after photos will be a sure thing for this :up
 
Yeah, products made for boats/fiberglass from boating stores tend to be much more aggressive than their automotive equivalents. I had the chance to use some marine Oxidation Remover once (I forget the brand) and you could actually feel the grit in it like particles of sand! :eek: It must've been the equivalent of a heavy cut compound in auto terms!
 
Lynn said:
butchdave, that looks like some kinda wonderful vehicle! What is it???
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Hi Lynn,



Its a kit - a Lomax 223 - based on the Citroen 2CV. I have to admit its not my favourite 2CV kit, but its cheap and available and will keep me going until I have chance to get my hands on a Pembleton.



Heres a fuller photo of what the Lomax should look like



lomax03.jpg




and this is the Pembleton



pemb.jpg
 
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