Water marks in my gelcoat?

[Gzumberge]

Looking for since help. What are these marks in my gel coat? I was removing oxidation with Meguiars, but I can't get rid of these marks to make it look even. Thank you.

 

[Gzumberge]

Looking for *some help!

 

[Sublimetime]

may be areas that were repaired and had gelcoat blended in

 

[kvduff]

may be areas that were repaired and had gelcoat blended in

Was just going to say the same thing. Is it raised? Possible to sand down, but I would guess it’s a previous repair...

 

[Creekwood]

I think what you are seeing is variations in the amount of surface gelcoat that has been compounded off with buffing. Red gelcoat is the worst in terms of chalking and fading. And I think the fading goes a bit below the surface more so with red pigments??? So the only way to get an even color is even wet sanding down to similar pigment color without blowing through to the white underneath. I had a similar issue with my first boat. I never got it looking right. I would wet sand, buff and wax every spring and by mid summer the chalkines was back. I was thinking of shooting it with automotive paint since it was just a color strip of about a foot but I caught footitis and sold it.

 

[Gzumberge]

Thanks all for your replies. If I sanded/buffefd down to just short of the white, would I need to have red gelcoat reapplied? If I don't reapply a red layer, future hard buffing would eventually wear through, wouldn't they? Can an even layet of red gelcoat be applied over what is there now?

I greatly appreciate your help.

 

[Gzumberge]

 

[NotHerDecision]

Yes new gelcoat can be applied directly over the old but you still would need to remove the oxidation and get to a good clean surface. So all in all, you may as well wet sand it. Try compounding with 3m imperial and a wool pad.

 

[skibum]

View attachment 88340

Okay... So what did you do? It looks really nice. Wet sand? New gelcoat? Paint? New boat? lol...

I certainly don't see anything in the red sections of your boat that resembles anything in the 1st pictures you posted.

Oh wait. I just figured it out. You were telling us that you had your wife compound and wax the boat. Tell her I think she did a nice job.

 

[b_arrington]

If you wore through the color or otherwise needed to add something to fix the

Thanks all for your replies. If I sanded/buffefd down to just short of the white, would I need to have red gelcoat reapplied? If I don't reapply a red layer, future hard buffing would eventually wear through, wouldn't they? Can an even layet of red gelcoat be applied over what is there now?

I greatly appreciate your help.

I really wouldn't try to add gelcoat as a fix. It's never going to match, and it would take someone of exceptional skill with lots of time to make it look decent.

The normal and accepted way to make a hull with gelcoat that's too far gone to restore (or has some other issues) is to use a marine-grade paint like Awlgrip or Alwcraft. These are 2-part polyester urethane and acrylic urethane paints. Typically they are sprayed on by a professional (not a DIY project), and the finish is fantastic. A plus of Awlgrip is that it's basically maintenance-free. There's no waxing or polishing, just washing with their Awlwash product.

Awlgrip is very very hard and difficult to scratch. The downside is that damage is not easy to repair. Awlcraft is a softer product, with a plus that it is easier to repair if needed.

The good news is that your boat is on the smaller side and you would only need paint below the rub rail from what I see. Red is the worst color for gelcoat fading, and the good news is that Awlgrip is very fade resistant. While paint is not commonly discussed with Sea Rays, it's pretty common on larger yachts. 100% of Formula boats are painted.

 

[Gzumberge]

Okay... So what did you do? It looks really nice. Wet sand? New gelcoat? Paint? New boat? lol...

I certainly don't see anything in the red sections of your boat that resembles anything in the 1st pictures you posted.

Oh wait. I just figured it out. You were telling us that you had your wife compound and wax the boat. Tell her I think she did a nice job.

Thanks, but neither of us did anything. That picture was from a few years ago, I think I polished down to the bad spots since then. They're also not really obvious unless you get up close.

 

[Gzumberge]

If you wore through the color or otherwise needed to add something to fix the


I really wouldn't try to add gelcoat as a fix. It's never going to match, and it would take someone of exceptional skill with lots of time to make it look decent.

The normal and accepted way to make a hull with gelcoat that's too far gone to restore (or has some other issues) is to use a marine-grade paint like Awlgrip or Alwcraft. These are 2-part polyester urethane and acrylic urethane paints. Typically they are sprayed on by a professional (not a DIY project), and the finish is fantastic. A plus of Awlgrip is that it's basically maintenance-free. There's no waxing or polishing, just washing with their Awlwash product.

Awlgrip is very very hard and difficult to scratch. The downside is that damage is not easy to repair. Awlcraft is a softer product, with a plus that it is easier to repair if needed.

The good news is that your boat is on the smaller side and you would only need paint below the rub rail from what I see. Red is the worst color for gelcoat fading, and the good news is that Awlgrip is very fade resistant. While paint is not commonly discussed with Sea Rays, it's pretty common on larger yachts. 100% of Formula boats are painted.

Thanks for the help. I didn't know you could just paint over gelcoat.

 

[Pirate Lady]

These are 2-part polyester urethane and acrylic urethane paints. Typically they are sprayed on by a professional (not a DIY project), and the finish is fantastic.
It most certainly is a DIY project, I did it. with a buddy, took 3 days of taping, prep and applying with a foam brush. Came out fantastic. on red gelcoat.
results in picture

 

[Pirate Lady]

Forgot to add, i used Awlgrip.