More compounding gelcoat novice questions

tmjb

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Mar 13, 2012
222
Hunter 36C Glen Cove
Looks beautiful. Great job. Not sure I'm quite going to get there this year but it'll be a big improvement from where I started out - and there's always next year!
 
May 10, 2008
392
Catalina 355 Boston
Good to know. Thanks. I have seen that once or twice.

Do you wax again in The Spring?
Absolutely. The Fall wax keeps any real dirt from sticking to the hull and since the boat will already be clean, Spring waxing goes much easier.....
 

tmjb

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Mar 13, 2012
222
Hunter 36C Glen Cove
Thanks again so much to all who contributed. Here are the results, pre wax, on my gelcoat that hadn't been touched by the PO in at least 20 years as far as I know:

image.jpeg
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Not perfect but so much better - and there's always next year to improve it.
 

tmjb

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Mar 13, 2012
222
Hunter 36C Glen Cove
But I do have another question: how many coats of wax? I've seen somewhere a recommendation for two, with three at the waterline. I'm using Collinite.

What's the consensus?
 
May 10, 2008
392
Catalina 355 Boston
I'm probably in the minority, but one coat of wax in the Spring and one in the Fall....I only do the hull in the Fall, not the cockpit or deck....I find here in the Northeast, one coat easily lasts the season. If it looked to me like I was losing beading during the season I would put two on.
I also use a Boat Wash the doesn't strip wax during the season. I see so many folks using the strongest boat soap they can get their hands on and all they are doing is stripping away all that hard work!
Your boat looks great by the way!!
 
Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
I use one coat of collinite 926 or 928, cant remember, in the spring after cleaning the hull with spray nine. Wash infrequently with wm boat soap. Shines and beads all season.
If I am going to compound or polish I will clean topsides with on and off but that requires masking and draping the bottom paint, an agrevation which is not needed with the spray nine.
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Looks good, and yes, next year it will be easier and quicker. Use your misting bottle to dampen the hull and apply the wax in a thin layer. Take it off as soon as it dries to a haze. Two coats of collinite will go fast. Maybe 1.5 hrs