Restoring Gel Coat

[ShaeMcLaren]

What is the best procedure to bring back the gel coat on a boat that's been sitting for years. I understand a good wet sand, stain remover, and polish will do alot. How far gone is too far gone? Which are the best products for bringing it back? PFA

 

[searun]

Most FG boats will come back, a good way to decide if its worthwhile is to do a test area to see how the gell coat responds. It won't be easy or quick.

 

[Aces]

This should be your first step after a basic wash. Make a paste mix it with water, rub it in, let it sit for a few hours then scrub it off. Amazing stuff

 

[ShaeMcLaren]

Already looks better with a quick scrub down. I'll try that paste next .

 

[brutus]

Gel coat on that thing is thick, wet sand to take oxidation off, to 1500gr then a good boat polish and go to town, once you got it nice and shinny a good coat of wax and it look brand new. Just do a small area for a test and you will be surprised, it’s not that hard, time consuming but not that hard to do

 

[ShaeMcLaren]

I think @Sttr was onto something with the chopped roof! I dig it!

 

[Sttr]

Wow! it’s growing on me…
Take that thing all the way off her!!

 

[ShaeMcLaren]

Wow! it’s growing on me…
Take that thing all the way off her!!

Haha I think the little brow looks good. Reminds me of an 88 to 98 obs chevy with a visor. For now I'll keep it like this and see how it looks moving forward.

 

[KMay]

I just used meguiars one step compound #67 on my 1984 zeta with a wool pad on a polish/sander. It was amazing how the gel coat came back to life.

 

[Dorman Point]

I just used meguiars one step compound #67 on my 1984 zeta with a wool pad on a polish/sander. It was amazing how the gel coat came back to life.

Pics of your Zeta please? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…

 

[Newf]

Not to hijack the OP's original question but when you get the gelcoat back to where you are happy with it, is there a good sealer or polish that stands out as the best UV protectant? My hull is RED and after getting it nice and shiny it's only a matter of 3-4 summer months and you can see the UV doing it's thing and oxidizing the gelcoat. I've looked online on other boating forums and there's many many recommendation. So from first hand experiences what's your pick for best UV protectant once she's looking good? Maybe there's no such thing.