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June 2018
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Disponible en línea en español.
it rather than re-gel coating
because remember gelcoat
is suppose to be between
10-18mil thick.An excessive
amount of gelcoat is likely to
crack, aka crazing & spider
cracking.
What’s the procedure?
The degree of fade will
determine the method of
gelcoat restoration. Here is
the basic process.
I test spot an area starting
with a professional grade
gelcoat compound. If that
does not remove the fade
I will wet sand using a
machine with special 1500
grit sandpaper specially
designed for fine finish
sanding and use a sanding
block for hard to get small
areas. During the process
the sandpaper is completely
saturated with water. If the
fade is still present after
testing with 1500 gt., I will
then use the special 1000
gt wet sandpaper. If I use
1000 gt I have to go back
over the area using 1500 gt.
Side note- I will not use any
coarser than 600 gt. paper. I
work in an area 1 sq. ft at a
time all the way around the
boat being very consistent
on how much sanding is
done. The gelcoat must be
sanded evenly otherwise the
boat will look like a leopard.
If 600 gt is removing the
fade, 1000 gt is used next.
Depending on finish desired
I will use 1500 and 2000
gt . Final applications are
professional grades of
compound, sealer glaze to
seal pores and good UV
protecting wax.
In a situation when gelcoat
is so deeply faded that it
cannot be restored, a regel
is done. The preparation for
new gelcoat requires some
of the existing gelcoat to
be removed to stay within desired
gelcoat mil. This process can run
into big dollars as it is extremely time
consuming!
As I have said many times the best
way to protect gelcoat and prevent
fade is to keep it waxed with a good
UV protecting wax and cover it as
best as you can. I recommend that
the canvas cover fit over the rub rail.
Any unprotected gelcoat left exposed
to the sun will oxidize.
The tempting “easy restoration fix”
will cost you more money in the end!
Restored original gelcoat
surrounded by oxidation.
“Dr Gel is
ready to go
boating!
Are you?”