Gelcoat Shine, but No Depth.... Why not???

boltman

boltman

Active Member
Dec 28, 2005
1,507
Flint/Swartz Creek MI, Ported in Whitehall/Montagu
Boat Info
480 Sedan Bridge
"Sea Ray's Best Boat Ever Made"
Engines
700 hp MANS Diesels Thundering Cathedrals of Torque!!
Using 3m Heavy duty cut compound, then hitting it with finishing polish, boy it shines very well but I'm not getting any depth in the Gelcoat and I'm wondering why not? I've even tries Magiurs and it's not working either for depth, what can I do to bring back the depth, you know like it was new and you can see yourself clearly in the reflection....????? Forgot to mention this is topside only!!!


Boltman
 
Sounds like your compounding or polish is not removing the chalk and instead your finishing steps are creating a temporary shiny wax coating alone. Are you compounding and polishing by hand or machine. Hand wont do it.
 
boltman said:
Using 3m Heavy duty cut compound, then hitting it with finishing polish...
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Maybe you need to try a medium or fine cut compound after the heavy cut. Just like sanding, you need to go progressively finer and finer until you get the depth you want in your finish. How did you use the heavy cut? By hand, rotary, random orbit, etc...
 
skibum said:
Maybe you need to try a medium or fine cut compound after the heavy cut. Just like sanding, you need to go progressively finer and finer until you get the depth you want in your finish. How did you use the heavy cut? By hand, rotary, random orbit, etc...
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Or a good deminishing grit/abrasive compound.....
 
Just pay a very good Detailer to domit the first time to give you the shine you want. After that you need to maintain it with your annual or bi-annual polishing. If you are leaving it I'm the sun and salt water you will need to keep in under control. This is why I love covered fresh water berthing.
 
I try everything noting really work long term until Mazara super intensive polish on orange foam pad with a rotary WOW! this will bring your boat to new in a blink.
this compound is made to cut the ultra hard ceramic mercedez paint and it cut the oxidized gelcoat like a breeze and will bring your finish to a ultra gloss shine in only one step amazing product.
for me merguar marine product are crap they dont last and only mask the problem with filer
 
stephane said:
I try everything noting really work long term until Mazara super intensive polish on orange foam pad with a rotary WOW! this will bring your boat to new in a blink.
this compound is made to cut the ultra hard ceramic mercedez paint and it cut the oxidized gelcoat like a breeze and will bring your finish to a ultra gloss shine in only one step amazing product.
for me merguar marine product are crap they dont last and only mask the problem with filer
Click to expand...

What did you use for wax after the polish?
 
After the compound boat was shiny like a miror I use only a sealant
Ultima Paint Guard Plus take 20 minute to do all the boat compare to a day with merguiar flagship and so far it last a way longer

use it on my inflatable also and it dont get dirty anymore
 
I've been using 3M Extra Cut Compound for a few years now. I use a rotary polisher with a fine wool pad running around 1800-2200rpm's. I've followed up the "glamour" areas with a coat of 3M Swirl Mark Remover. Honestly sometimes I think the swirl mark remover puts a haze back into the finish depending on the angle your looking. As odd as it is I've always been VERY impressed after just the compound. I am an autobody shop guy so I think I know what I'm talking about.
In your situation maybe it just needs a few more passes. A first time polish your going to be loading the pad with chalked gelcoat pretty quick which reduces its cutting/polishing power. Buy a couple pads and rotate them out as your polishing. You can rinse them in water but that gets old ever 4' x 4' area. I've used a 5 gallon bucket filled with water to wash them. Then I attach them to the wheel and hold the pad inside the bucket and spin them to dry. The bucket catches the water "sling" instead of flying all over the deck.
The bright side is after you knock off the chalk each polishing gets easier and the results get better. Every year I think ours gets shinier as the short summers don't do enough damage.
Hope this helps!
 
I was hoping to hear from an Autobody man or Fiberglas detail man....I think these foam pads aren't strong enough to hold the compound either...But I hear what you are saying and I will take your advice....to heart as well... thanks
 
Get some Presta Super Cut and a white 3m wool pad. If you lean on the rotary with this stuff and it doesn't have a deep shine, then it never will......well, maybe it will if you wet sand it. The Presta really ought to be enough. Don't use automotive compounds on gelcoat, THEY DON'T WORK. I don't care what anyone says.....If you can't feel the grit in the compound on your fingers, then you might as well piss on the boat and move it around with the buffer pad.

I was a professional boat detailer full time for 7 years, and I do it part time now if I am interested in the project.....You said you wanted a professional.
 
390x said:
Don't use automotive compounds on gelcoat, THEY DON'T WORK. I don't care what anyone says.....If you can't feel the grit in the compound on your fingers, then you might as well piss on the boat and move it around with the buffer pad.

I was a professional boat detailer full time for 7 years, and I do it part time now if I am interested in the project.....You said you wanted a professional.
Click to expand...

my friend is a boat detailer and told me the same.........I give him some menzerna super intensive polish to shut him up.....guest what he now use menzerna
 
Presta Super Cut, Do you have a website I can find them at Sir, and Yes I did say I want a pro, I'm tired of trying the bull crap... and working on nothing....Thanks
 
I am using Presta products and love them. Super easy to use and great results. This fall I am going to super coat the entire topside of the boat then polish it to a beautiful luster. I used it on my Sea Doo Speedster and it took a neglected hull and made it shine.
 
I found a wholesale distributor for Presta products, bought a gallon of the Super cut and a Gallon of the finishing polish and two wool buffing wheels...Not Bad.. Now I have the stuff all I need is to wait for winter to get here.
 
Hey Boltman, i never used presta but i can attest to buff magic as i have used it after the failed two days of useing automotive compounds ,diminishing cut is the ONLY way to buff gelcoat i will ever use again.I have 37 yrs in the bodyshop bussiness also and we use diminishing at work also it works better and doesnt have to be worked as hard meaning less chance of burning the finnish.
 
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