Gelcoat ghosting left by removed graphics

[gmcleer]

I removed the graphics (stickers) from the hull of my 1999 270. The gelcoat below the graphics is in much better condition and therefore produces a ghost image of the graphics. Any suggestions? I am considering either wet sanding 1200 then 2000 or using only compound. 3M "red" has been reccomended.

Thanks,

Gordon McLeer

 

[Petep]

Try the 3M heavy duty compound with a wheel, wet - sand after that if it doesn't work.

 

[Skip]

I had the same challenge with the former name on the transom of my 420, plus a hwole lot of oxidation. I used a chicago tools rotary polisher (after killing two days with a porter cable random orbital and accomplishing nothing)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92623

I used wool cutting pads and Meguiars Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover

http://www.meguiars.com/?boat-cleaners-compounds/Heavy-Duty-Oxidation-Remover

using a rotary polisher takes a bit of getting used to compared toa random orbital, but with a little practice you can get your gelcoat looking brand new. Follow the oxidation remover with a polish, then wax.

regards
Skip

 

[RobF300]

nothing will get the whole boat even again on your 1999.

Sanding and polishing might even it out a little- but go easy as you would rather a little ghosting then taking off the gelcoat.

 

[goblue]

I over compounded an 86 w/er for years out of ignorance using heavy duty rubbing compound every year prior to waxing. I sold the boat to a friend and there was no gosting at all. There was a RIDGE of the old name. He wet sanded that down to the elevation of the rest of the transom and then used Finesse It to bring back the shine. He just sold that boat and bought a 98 37 express. The 86 still looked like a million dollars although the engines were tired. Two lessons. 1. The gel coat is thicker than you think. 2. Finesse It is better than heavy duty and you can use it for years. Finer compounds on a good gel coat result in almost no oxidation in climates where the season is 6 months long if you follow up with a good wax of your chosing.

 

[bliss]

Do some compounding and polishing. If you get rid of most of it time will fade most of the rest.

 

[ImpulseIII]

The other option is to make the new name a lot bigger than the original and just cover it!! :smt043 ....sorry....

 

[LMBoat]

I just tackled this project this weekend. I've had the boat for 5 years and this problem always bothered me. I'd tried everything, this weekend, I tried wet-sanding for the first time. It did very well. It's not 100%, but a lot better. The biggest issue was working around the current boat lettering <vinyl graphics>. I hand sanded, then Finesse, then wax. I did it all by hand as I was affraid the buffer would ruin the current lettering. I still have some very minor scratching. The next time I use the buffer, I will try that. Bottom line, I was pleased with the result.

 

[bliss]

LMBoat, what sand paper did you use?

 

[LMBoat]

1400 or 1500 wet/dry sandpaper, I forget which

 

[Dave S]

You also could consider a background decal of a solid color to cover all the old graphics............maybe a rectangular shape with rounded corners.....and then just put your new boat name on top of that. Someone with a decal shop could probably come up with a good combination of background and lettering you would like.