Gelcoat Product Suggestions

[JimAlbert]

Hey Guys -

I'm in the process of replacing the carpet on my 1994 Gambler bass boat with Ortho pad and new carpet but before I install the new pad and carpet I plan to do a wet sand/compound/polish/sealer because the last thing I want to do is install new pad and carpet and then sling compound or polish all over it.

I've done this in the past and have had a lot of success with the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Compound + Polish but I am also open to other suggestions. When I reached to 3M they suggested a strip wash, wet sand with 800 and 1500, buff with the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Compound + Polish and a wool pad and seal or wax. They did not, however, indicate what pad they suggested for use but two were listed as candidates:

3M 05753 - https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/dc/v100506670/
and
3M 05754 - https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40067386/

Since the correction product 3M recommended was a compound + polish I would assume the 3M 05754 would be the best option as it is fast cut/fine finish. Does anyone have thoughts on this?

Then I reached out to Meguiars and they suggested a progressive wet sand (800 - 2000) and then Meguiars Power Cut M91 with a Cut & Shine wool pad (W4000)followed up with Meguiars M45. They didn't suggest a pad for the M45 but I would assume the C&S W4000 would be suitable. Thoughts?

Finally I reached out to Starke and they suggested the following:

Given you are sanding, we'd recommend the cutting be done with Starke Blaze, with white wool on rotary, polishing with Starke Finish R, which can be used for rotary with yellow wool, and also used on DA polisher with a Starke DA Money pad for extra refining and swirl removal if desired. Protection with a polymer sealant being Starke Hyper Hold Pro.

Given all this information, do you guys have any thought on the products listed above or any additional products you might suggest?

I reached out to the Gambler bass boat community and almost everyone recommended the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Compound + Polish due to the specific type of gelcoat Gambler used on the boats. That product, although named something differently in the past, I have used with success but I cant remember if I used a Wool Pad followed by a Waffle Pad to refine the finish. By the way, there are very tight areas and radiuses on this boat and believe it was a PITA to use a waffle pad on a rotary.

I'm open to suggestions and criticism but I need to get some products ordered as I am going to start wet sanding tonight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have a good day -

Jim

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I'm sure this is going to sound off the wall to you, but Optimum has a product called Gelcoat Restorer which minimizes wetsanding and cutting. From the product description:

Introducing the New & Improved Optimum Gelcoat Restorer, meticulously engineered to revive Gelcoat surfaces to their original factory finish without the hassle of polishing. Our enhanced formula ensures easier application and superior self-leveling properties, resulting in faster application times and a more uniform finish. Optimum Gelcoat Restorer ("GCR") not only rebuilds the Gelcoat to its original thickness but also restores its glossiness while providing added UV protection against oxidation.

It's at least worth talking to them about it.

 

[JimAlbert]

I'm sure this is going to sound off the wall to you, but Optimum has a product called Gelcoat Restorer which minimizes wetsanding and cutting. From the product description:

Introducing the New & Improved Optimum Gelcoat Restorer, meticulously engineered to revive Gelcoat surfaces to their original factory finish without the hassle of polishing. Our enhanced formula ensures easier application and superior self-leveling properties, resulting in faster application times and a more uniform finish. Optimum Gelcoat Restorer ("GCR") not only rebuilds the Gelcoat to its original thickness but also restores its glossiness while providing added UV protection against oxidation.

It's at least worth talking to them about it.

Believe it or not, my gelcoat isn't severely oxidized but with the carpet off I don't want to waste an opportunity to correct the gel the best I can. I did investigate a lot of the gelcoat "restorers" and will reach out to Optimum to see if their product is any different. In most cases people who have used products like this say that it looks great for a few weeks and then starts flaking off the surface which means you will be doing a wet sand/polish anyway.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Setec Astronomy]

The Optimum "GCR" soaks into the gelcoat, so it's not really on the surface to peel off (unless you apply really heavily, I guess). I actually bought it to try on some failing clearcoat, where it sort of worked for that. It's an acrylic.

 

[JimAlbert]

I ended up pulling the trigger on something new. I bought Starke Blaze to cut and Finish-R for the polishing step. I'll update this post after I do my test section tonight.