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  1. #1
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    How to get white gelcoat back to white

    I`m working on a project I picked up and I`m wondering if it`s possible to get the white gelcoat to either lighten up a few shades or more or get it back to ultra pure white.

    There`s thousands of shades of "white" and this boat`s current white is more like a light mocha or Swiss Coffee and I`d like to get it back to or as close as possible to ultra pure white.

    I have a rotary with a LC white wool pad, a LC yellow wool (for polishing), a LC Orange curved waffle (for light polishing). On product I have Presta Super Cut Compound, Regular Cut Compound, and Polish (plus a ```` load of car products, DA, pads, and products if needed). Current plan is Presta compound, Presta polish, colonite 446 super double coat as a sealer.


    So far I used the rotary with the white wool pad and the Presta regular cut down one side. It got most of the oxydization off but it didn`t really remove most of the marks in the gel coat or really clean it up and make it white-white. It`s shiney but not super white, I haven`t polished it but I`m holding off until I see if there`s something I can do to make the white whiter or possibally the red more fire truck red vs maroonish-red?

    The rear upper parts of the sides have been re-shot with more of a pure white gelcoat and I`d like to try and get closer to that white, if possible.

    Here`s some pics

  2. #2
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Heres how the side turned out.
    How to get white gelcoat back to white-img_20220128_195902687-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-img_20220128_200016513-jpg


    In these you can see the difference between the original swiss coffee and the fresh pure white and some of the original white that was covered up from the sun.

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-1-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-2-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-0-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-img_20220128_200312738-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-4-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-6-jpg


    The hatch cover edge VS. the swiss coffee gelcoat

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-7-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-1-8-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-0-jpg


    And it's got some burn marks from being covered out in the sun

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-1-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-2-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-3-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-5-jpg

    How to get white gelcoat back to white-boat-yellow-gel-pics-2-4-jpg

  3. #3
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Is it possible to lighten the gel a few shades with wet sanding it, or using a different product, or possibally wiping it down with a solvent (mineral spirits, aceatone, etc prior to buffing???

    I have not ran the Super Cut yet, I always start off with the least agressive product to get the job done, so not sure if that`ll whiten it up or handle the burn marks?


    Thanks

  4. #4
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Bueler........Bueler.......Bueler........


    Nobody has any suggestions on cleaning this up?



    Thanks

  5. #5
    Super Member PaulMys's Avatar
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Mike P used to teach the boat detailing classes, but he's no longer with AG.

    I worked at a marina for well over 20 years, but never restored gelcoat.

    But, I know that gelcoat discolored by marine growth can be "whitened-up" by spraying muriatic acid on it, then rinsing it off after a minute or so.

    Sorry. That's all I have........
    It is no coincidence that man's best friend cannot talk.

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  7. #6
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    What about DG 501 it is made for gelcoat.

  8. #7
    Super Member fly07sti's Avatar
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    I’d definitely recommend sanding if you’re not getting the results you want from buffing.

  9. #8
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulMys View Post
    Mike P used to teach the boat detailing classes, but he's no longer with AG..
    Phillps is no longer with Autogeek?

  10. #9
    Super Member opie's Avatar
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Quote Originally Posted by CAdetailer View Post
    Phillps is no longer with Autogeek?
    Works at 3D now. He left in like june or july in 2021 if i remember correctly

    Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

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  12. #10
    Super Member Markymapo's Avatar
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    Re: How to get white gelcoat back to white

    Is it oxidized? If so this is what I did to bring red color back to life after neglect. my Cobalt 242 to remove heavy oxidation after 5 years of ignoring it other than keeping it clean and waxing. I had to use 2000 grit followed by 3000 grit wet sand(flex orbital), followed by wool (marine 31 one step compound and polish)( rotary), then RUPES coarse blue pads with Marine 31 gel coat polish (flex orbital),followed by wax. Do a test area first. Mike p has some previous posts to follow. Also, see if his book is still available at AG
    2022 Carrera S & Honda CRV Hybrid
    2015 Lexus IS 350, 2016 Ford F-150
    Cobalt 242 (8.1 L block, Volvo outdrive)

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