Marine 31 Forum - View Single Post - Gel-Coat Oxidation Removal on 13" Boston Whaler

Mike Phillips · 05-10-2013, 04:29 PM

Gel-Coat Oxidation Removal on 13" Boston Whaler

The center console as well as the rest of the topside smooth gel-coat surfaces have oxidized and turned chalky. Here's a two-step approach to remove the oxidation and restore a smooth, glossy surface that will resist deterioration better than a rough surface as well as restore the show room new look to our boat.

First I removed the speakers and the speaker grills so I wouldn't have to worry about running my buffing pad into the plastic or getting splatter into the grill holes.

Next I placed a towel behind the speaker hole openings to prevent any splatter from getting inside the console and the wiring tucked inside of it.

Next I taped off any other components and then placed a tape-line down the center to show the before and after difference.

If you look at the top of the ship shape decal where the tape line is you can see a portion is glossy from the overhead light shining down but the gel-coat finish is chalky white with zero gloss.

The gel-coat is oxidized but not bad enough for an aggressive compound so I'm using a medium cut polish...

Note the extension attached to the spindle of the rotary buffer to move the backing plate away from the body of the buffer, this enables me to get into tight areas better...

You can see the oxidation is removed and the gloss is starting to amp-up...

After removing the oxidation I then switch over to a all-in-one cleaner/wax and switch my rotary buffer over to a foam pad...

Since the foam is a lot more gentle than the wool cutting pad I'm able to buff over the decals without burning them off...

Now lets remove the tape and check out the results...

Oxidation is removed, gloss is restored and the gel-coat surface is now protected...

Here you can now easily see the overhead florescent lights reflecting off the console...

On the other side of the tape-line the gel-coat is still dull and chalky looking...

Now John only has the other half to buff out...

Looks like brand new...

Crank up the stereo!

On Marine31.com

Marine 31 Gel Coat Gloss & Color Restorer

Marine 31 All-In-One Gel Coat Polish & Wax

Cyclo 4 Inch Hook and Loop Wool Pads

Flex PE14 Rotary Polisher

4" Lake Country Backing Plate
Rotary Backing Plate Extension

05-10-2013, 04:29 PM	#1
Mike Phillips Status: Director of Training Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 675	Gel-Coat Oxidation Removal on 13" Boston Whaler Gel-Coat Oxidation Removal on 13" Boston Whaler The center console as well as the rest of the topside smooth gel-coat surfaces have oxidized and turned chalky. Here's a two-step approach to remove the oxidation and restore a smooth, glossy surface that will resist deterioration better than a rough surface as well as restore the show room new look to our boat. First I removed the speakers and the speaker grills so I wouldn't have to worry about running my buffing pad into the plastic or getting splatter into the grill holes. Next I placed a towel behind the speaker hole openings to prevent any splatter from getting inside the console and the wiring tucked inside of it. Next I taped off any other components and then placed a tape-line down the center to show the before and after difference. If you look at the top of the ship shape decal where the tape line is you can see a portion is glossy from the overhead light shining down but the gel-coat finish is chalky white with zero gloss. The gel-coat is oxidized but not bad enough for an aggressive compound so I'm using a medium cut polish... Note the extension attached to the spindle of the rotary buffer to move the backing plate away from the body of the buffer, this enables me to get into tight areas better... You can see the oxidation is removed and the gloss is starting to amp-up... After removing the oxidation I then switch over to a all-in-one cleaner/wax and switch my rotary buffer over to a foam pad... Since the foam is a lot more gentle than the wool cutting pad I'm able to buff over the decals without burning them off... Now lets remove the tape and check out the results... Oxidation is removed, gloss is restored and the gel-coat surface is now protected... Here you can now easily see the overhead florescent lights reflecting off the console... On the other side of the tape-line the gel-coat is still dull and chalky looking... Now John only has the other half to buff out... *Looks like brand new...* *Crank up the stereo!* On Marine31.com Marine 31 Gel Coat Gloss & Color Restorer Marine 31 All-In-One Gel Coat Polish & Wax Cyclo 4 Inch Hook and Loop Wool Pads Flex PE14 Rotary Polisher 4" Lake Country Backing Plate Rotary Backing Plate Extension __________________ Made by boat people for boat people...