gelcoat?

[rash]

hey guys havent posted in a while ive been too busy working on the JETBOAT. i finally got the old olds to the machine shop. but my question is what or how do i restore the gloss of my gelcoat. some one told me to use a fine grit sand paper and wet sand it but i was hoping to buff it out with polish. can any one reccomend a good polish or rubbing compound to remove the oxidation. thanx RASH

[460rogers]

I used a very fine compound like finess and a aircraft polish my buddie got at the airstrip,sorry no name on my can.My gell on the taylor was very oxidized but looked good wet and buffing worked for me.

[TRG]

it would'nt hurt to look on the 3M website, i think its www.3m.com or something like that!
i dont know the exact # of what i use! if its real bad you could start with their "super duty" compound, and then something a bit finer!

[OSUman]

I was going to ask the same question. I am going to refurbish the top of my jet and wanted to know what was the best method to take, wet sanding or buffing.

[rash]

thanx for all of the information with the polishing compounds. can i use a regular buffer waxer or should i invest in somthing a little more powerful. thank you again for the help rash

[HammerDown]

Meguiars(sp) has a 3 step Box kit for restoring Gel...It didn't work for me very well as I guess my Gel was that bad... it was taking to long to get the results I wanted plus there was alot of thin scratches on the surface the box kit won't address.. So I used Micro Fine Sand Paper Wet to pull the color out and than buffed it with Compound...then used the other products. My Rotary Buffer has a wool bonnet on it.
If I were you I would try a small area with the 3 step products. If they offer the results you need great. If not you'll have to get more aggressive as I did...but it will come out perfect with some work.
One tip...forget doing this by hand...get a good (rotary) Buffer..and learn/practice how to use it.

[Bow Tie Omega]

Rash, I think you should reconsider the color sanding. YOu would want to use a very fine grit (1500-2000). In Havasu barney's directions to me on how to care for my new gel coat, he recommended a 3 step system by 3M. The vibrating buffer will not do it. It has to be a rotary to get what you are looking for and a different pad on the buffer for each step. He recommended a truly pure carnuba wax to finish her off. Hope that helps.