gelcoat wax?

[skipperbrown]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it in the archives.

What have you used successfully to take off that oxidized chaulky gelcoat? Where the sun beats down at close to a 90 degree angle, I have dull gelcoat that doesn't respond to my wax treatment. The sides look like new, the cuddy cap is looking weathered.

Any ideas?

Also, the gal at my marina who details boats for a living recommends McGuires rv/boat wax/polish. Anybody have a wax/polish favorite?

Thanks,
Mark

[Tony]

I would concur with the detailers opinion, Meguiar's has been my choice for the last three boats I've owned. Think I have on hand at any given time, 5 or 6 marine cleaners, polishes and waxes, from their lineup. I also have professional 7" buffers for those hard to get out stains. Way rather use a chemical cleaner like their one step cleaner/wax, than some hard to use rubbing compound product that can screw up your gelcoat but good.

Meguiar's goes on easy, you can do the whole boat, then come back and buff it off, after you stopped for lunch. Can't do that with many of the competition. Their products are just as effective being applied by hand as with a machine. The company also has a user friendly help line, and will send you a detailed reference guide on how to use their products properly.

We go back more than 20 years, and I'm more than happy with them.

Re the chalky gel coat, I don't see much of that in my rainy cool climate. I know it's a huge concern in your area. I would be inclined to try a small treatment area, in as inconspicuous a spot as possible, Meguiar's gel coat restorer process. Buffers may be required for this. I know there is a fine line between repair and repainting time. If it were me, I'd rather have oiginal gelcoat than paint. Try having it assessed by a professional, if you are really in doubt. The process is not difficult, but time consuming. You don't want to be wasting your time, when you gelcoat is shot and won't come back.

[Fish Hunter]

I concur with the previous post, Meguiars did it for me on a 1992 Blue Warrior, Two coats of Heavy Oxidation remover, one coat of color restorer, then two coats of wax so far.The blue gelcoat was very bad, i got about 90 % of it out
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Aprilia RST1000 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Aprilia_RST1000)