Boat Detailing... Gel Coat????

[Derek Short]

I do a bit of detailing as a side business and Ive got a customer who has a boat that has some oxidation and is looking to have it restored...
Now I have never done a boat before.... Only cars and motorcycles...

I don't have any experienced working with gel coat before and want to know how it works and whats it like. Ive done my fair share of paint correction and know that. But on gel coat is it like paint where you have a clear coat or?????
From my understanding it is fiberglass and then coated with a material call gel coat.
Is gel coat like a single stage paint? without clear coat?

From the little bit of research I have done I find my self with my questions and more confused.... Just would like to know if this is something I should take on or not. I am defiantly up for trying something new and would like to give it a shot. Just not sure what to charge and what tools I will need. I have a flex 3401 and a 6" DA GG. just need to know what pads to use for the boat and what product to use.

Side note boat is only about 15' Long nothing big just a small lil boat.
Pic below...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/910/6UZUci.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pa6UZUcip)

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Firehouse Mike]

I did a black 26' Crownline with bad oxidation a few weeks ago. I used my GG6 with Meg's MF pads and D300 compund. Wish I had a 3401 to use, would have been faster. But the D300 worked great. See more pics at Photos - Firehouse Mobile Detail (http://www.firehousedetail.com/photos)

http://www.firehousedetail.com/uploads/1/8/1/5/18153111/2959142_orig.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

All my boat write-ups are like how-to books with tons of pictures....


2013 Marine 31 Year in Review - The boats of Marine31Online.com (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136)


Here's the boats we detailed last year. Our forum members are not only invited to join us for these project but the are encouraged to join us.



June 2013

Pictures: 2000 Baja 232 Boss High Performance Extreme Makeover (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65)

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/512/24_Baha_Boat_060.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/512/24_Baha_Boat_057.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/512/24_Baha_Boat_024.jpg






July 2013

16' Key Largo Center Console Boat Detailing Class with Marine 31 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/67816-pictures-16-key-largo-center-console-boat-detailing-class-marine-31-a.html)

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/518/2007_Key_Largo_Boat_Detailing_Class_032.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/518/2007_Key_Largo_Boat_Detailing_Class_040.jpg




August 2013

24' Pro-Line Boat - Extreme Marine Makeover - Oxidation Removal (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108)


Before - Side of Hull

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/522/2006_Proline_24_Supersport_Boat_Detailing_Class_01 1.jpg



After

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/522/2006_Proline_24_Supersport_Boat_Detailing_Class_08 3.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/522/2006_Proline_24_Supersport_Boat_Detailing_Class_08 4.jpg




:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

If you ever want or need to go extreme.....


How to wetsand, cut and buff a gel-coat boat (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147)


http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/523/How_To_Wetsand_a_Gel_Coat_Boat_004.jpg



Before

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/523/ShearWater_004.jpg




After

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/523/How_To_Wetsand_a_Gel_Coat_Boat_082.jpg




:)

[Mike Phillips]

And this project is coming up in two weeks....

Sign-up: How to Wetsand & Buff a 1960 Glastron Fireflight (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176)



http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/527/1960_Glastron_Wet_Sand_022.jpg


It will be aired on Ship Shape TV too....


:)