Detailing Questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Devian

.
Jan 6, 2008
32
-Columbia 28 mk something or other Pier 39, San Francisco
Greetings all. So I have a question. I have a white Columbia 28' and after just washing it, it still looks a bit crappy. I think the gel-coat is oxidized. What would you use to fix that? Also surface rust and things like that. I'm trying to get this boat looking nice and don't really know what to use.

Dev
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
You should read Maine Sail's boat gelcoat restoration instructions. As for the rust and such, use MaryKate On&Off Gel to remove it. However, you really need to protect metal hardware and bottom paint from the gel, as it may damage the metal and will deactivate the bottom paint. Do this before proceeding with his restoration instructions.
 
M

Mike M16608

.
Feb 7, 2005
132
Hunter 23 Mentor, Ohio
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=105832&highlight=maine+sail,+wax

Another endorsement for Mainesail's method. If I posted correctly, the above link will take you to one of the threads where it is posted. I basically followed his step by step instructions and got great results. My boat is only 23', and I won't lie - I had a badly chalking hull and this was not a quick/easy job. But, I derived a lot of satisfaction from running my hand over a smooth surface, seeing reflections in the Gel Coat and having water bead up into a million tiny beads when it rains.
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
I (slightly) disagree with Mainsails method for restoring gelcoat on an OLD boat. Blindly compounding off gelcoat may leave you removing too mucb gel.
In the WORST CASE scenario the surface may be 'crazed' or 'alligatored' on a macroscopic basis ... and no amount of buffing, etc. can restore this condition.

IMHO - better to proceed cautiously with a pocket microscope in hand and investigate the condition of the gelcoat for/if crazing/alligatoring, and if NOT found then proceed to FLATTEN the surface by WET SANDING with 1000-2400 (or finer) grit paper THEN power buffing, etc. with 2000 ---> 3000 grit compound. Such a method will save a lot of heartache and sweat if the gelcoat is 'unbuffable'. SHINE & brilliance comes from a FLAT surface ... and wet-sanding is the fastest, and least destructive way to find out 'how much' of the old gelcoat 'can' be removed.

BTW - alligatoring looks like a dried out and cracked mud puddle when viewed under a low power microscope. If alligatored, then you have two choices: 1. spraying on new gelcoat, 2. Painting . Some old gelcoat may have developed such extreme porosity from oxidation that no amount of sanding/buffing will ever produce a FLAT/shiney surface.

.... painting should be the VERY LAST option/choice.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Rich—

I don't believe that Maine Sail ever advocated blindly doing anything in his entire life.
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
sailingdog said:
Rich—

I don't believe that Maine Sail ever advocated blindly doing anything in his entire life.
Click to expand
I totally agree, and my post concerns gelcoat thats either very close to or is 'over-the-hill' as certainly a Columbia 28 has not been in production since at least the late 1980s; hence, my offering of inspecting the gelcoat for crazing, etc. before one starts so one doesnt 'hog off' too much gel, etc. and wind up facing an expensive 'remedy'.

PS - added the word 'slightly' for better 'clarity' :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom