Gel Coat Hardness

**cheakster** · 10-31-2007, 01:37 PM

Hello Detail Experts!
1st post... I should be receiving my new UDM/Menzerna kit any day and will be working on some known hard CC vehicles. I've learned so much reading on this cool Forum- Thanks! I'll also be putting a boat to rest for the winter, and just realized I don't know much about GEL COATS. Where do they fall in line with auto CLEAR COATS as far as hardness? I know, like automotive, this will depend upon manufacturer and model/year, but a general understanding of gel coat reaction to polishing would be appreciated.
Thanks for all the great information

Dan

**budman3** · 10-31-2007, 02:02 PM

Gel coat is pretty tough stuff... It does tend to oxidize or yellow more than car clear coats, making it a good idea to keep it protected. I'm not sure what condition the boat is in now but if it's oxidized, you may want to look into a good paint cleaner. If there is marring and scratches, you'll probably need an abrasive polish, and maybe a wool pad. I have found many gel coats to be porous and a wool pad tends to polish in the pores better than a foam pad. I haven't done many gel coat vehicles before but hopefully this helped a little. Car care products can be used on boats but you may want to look into Duragloss or Meguiar's Marine line as well. Good luck!

**TOGWT** · 11-01-2007, 03:20 AM

Meguiar's Professional Boat Detailing Products:
This list may need to be up-dated-

#49 Super Duty Fiberglas Cleaner- use to polish-out extreme surface oxidation and other significant surface defects.
#44 Heavy Duty Colour Restorer- to polish-out mild surface oxidation, fine scratches, water spots and dullness
#45 Boat Polish- to restore optimum gloss, especially on dark colours, after the fibreglass gel coat has been pre-cleaned and all embedded contamination has been removed.
#27 Chrome Cleaner Polish - clean and polish bright metal surfaces
#50 Cleaner Wax- clean, polish and protect in one easy application. Also removes light oxidation and mild surface contamination.
#56 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax - to add a measure of protective lustre to previously cleaned and polished fibreglass, also good as a second coat of added protection of pre-cleaned stainless steel and chrome.
#55 Polymer Sealant - to create an exceptional long lasting shine, it also provides maximum protection and outlasts ordinary wax

**tjl5709** · 11-02-2007, 05:20 PM

I've got a 25 year old boat. On a boating forum I belong to, the typical process is to use a rubbing/polishing compound with a rotary polisher. Gel coat is tuff stuff, and if it's oxidized you need to cut it down a bit. Follow up with a polishing compound. They recommend 3M Finese-it. Again using the rotary. Then a good seal and wax.

It's allot of work, but it does look good. If anyone wants the forum, let me know, there is a section for detailing specifically for watercraft.