10 Mins could save Thousands. Gelcoat scratch?
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- If you're curious about how to work on gelcoat, I have many more videos (hundreds) before and after boat detailing videos including boat waxing, boat buffing...
Have a question? Comments section will be replied to.
Anyone can hit a rock with the "right" tools; getting the rock to look like something that belongs in museums and books... Takes a love of hitting rocks with a purpose and not just the right tools/products. Technique is more important than the "newest" product on the scene.
I use a DeWalt DWP849X
If I'm going for perfection in gelcoat, I don't use a ceramic (unless a very new boat) I prefer the ease, cost and reliability of Fire Glaze by RMP
www.restructur...
(tell them Lee sent you. No discount and I receive nothing but I'd like them to know 😊)
3M Quick Connect adapter (mfg # 05752) to use with the double-sided compounding pad (3M mfg #05753) or the double-sided polishing pad (3M mfg #05754)
Foam compounding pads 3M (05737-discontinued but awesome)
or (05723-new version 😑)
3M Super-Duty (05954)
3M Perfect It Heavy Cutting Compound (36102)
Perfect-it ex ac compounds by 3M (36060)
Meguiar’s (owned by 3M) Flagship Premium Wax (M6332) Pro Polish by Shurehold or 3M's liquid wax with scotchguard.
I receive no payment for listing these items. I list them because you guys ask and I just thought I would save some time.
Wear protective gear, this stuff can cause cancer and kill you.
If you are a fan of what I do, I don't take money from manufacturing companies or product suppliers.
www.paypal.me/...
Thanks for your time and support.
Lee
I thought for sure we'd see some wet sanding on this one, but super duty to the rescue once again!
Both are options to look into just, one is an easier clean-up than the other. Both can go through the gelcoat. Sanding generally leaves a flatter finish but not always a better one.
I work with what I have. I'm also stuck in this character I've played on youtube who hates to sand. I wouldn't get to hear the end of it had I didn't give the wet stuff 1st. 😋 Luck sometimes comes into play. The best option would be to repair the gelcoat but the cost can be in the thousands for something this small. Blending color can be the hardest part. If I can hide it and not charge extra, I'm a 'hero' to a boat customer. We'll, Itshould be that way.
In this case, the owner came up and couldn't find where that scratch was. I didn't show him but he was thrilled to see that it didn't need new gelcoat. It felt good, that's enough usually.
In reality, for those whom want more insight, I'll say that at some point, sanded or buffed, that spot will need, new gelcoat. Some was removed in a way more than the surrounding gelcoat and in the lifetime of this boat, it'll be sanded or buffed a few times more. That spot will need to be ground out and patched and color matched. Worse than the, all that; is that even a 'perfect' repair will fail eventually. The new gelcoat will have a different oxidative rate to the older gelcoat. It will never be perfect but with anything enjoyed, sometimes it's easy to live with little flaws as long as you can. That's a perfect repair. Anyone sub-perfect and everything is amplified.
If I were a great gelcoat repair guy, I'd be rich. I'm good with a buffer and some compound. I like showing it to an audience. I like the stories from viewers and to see their results. If they buff wrong, through the comment section and email I can help fix mistakes. I'd be terrified to 'teach' people via a video, how to repair a scratch.
Lots of words there, sorry. Thank you for the chance to say 'em. I appreciate the comment.
Cheers!
Lee
I've been removing bottom paint on my boat recently. Just doing the sides and transom for now. I'd say it's roughly three coats of black ablative paint. I'm using a combination of chemical stripper and wet sanding. Under the bottom paint, the gelcoat was prepped with an orbital sander. What a mess. But it's working out. Slowly but surely. I'll be happy to not have to mess with wet sanding after this aside from a gelcoat repair or two.
I've been there on my last boat, it sucks. You get covered in the stuff. Cheers to you for not being lazy about it and just adding more paint. I see that a ton.
Hey lee, I'm still watching and soaking in the knowledge. You have been a huge help and I say again it's much appreciated. I know you it's the boring stuff but do you have any vids actually applying and removing the wax? I know it seems simple but would love to see it in action. Also is a dawn dish soap wash sufficient for cleaning before wax? I know you have mentioned it but haven't seen any washing videos either. Hate to ask about the boring stuff but it's super interesting for sponge new guy taking it all in! Thanks again, been watching daily and my boat shows the results and progress.
Hi. I don't have any (thinking) nope, no "boat wash" vids.
Dawn dish soap is great. A soft mitten on your hand, microfiber towels or a deck brush and some water is all that's needed. Make sure to dry the boat prior to waxing.
I have a whole video on this black/yellow Cobalt, I'm just lazy and don't want to spend all day editing. I'll get it out shortly though.
ua-cam.com/video/f-zUT70EkFA/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I cover a little waxing here. More to come.
Lee
Really helpful as always. Once you’ve finished with the polishing and waxing do you then wash the boat? Might be the step i’ve been missing while working on my project boat this year!
If you want to see the gelcoat after compounding, you need to remove the oils and lubrication in the compounds, from the pores of the gelcoat. A wash and good lighting will show you everything in the surface. Try to avoid LED lights. Then, when you're happy with the work, "wax" the boat.
By wax, I mean some kind of stuff, made for gelcoat.
That product, whatever it may be, will adhere itself to the gelcoat betterand last longer..
Cheers,
Lee