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Gelcoat oxidation SHORTCUT-- short term solution ideas?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by usual suspect, Aug 23, 2020.

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  1. usual suspect, Aug 23, 2020
    #1
    usual suspect

    usual suspect New Member

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    I'm looking to take the low road and do something that will make a 20 year old chalky / oxidized Hinckley look good for a month or so.
    We will be having the boat painted at the yard over the winter. Just bought it--- 1998 and original gel, doubt if she ever saw a coat of wax. I'd say the oxidation is "medium bad"- not awful. I'd like to use the boat for a month or two this fall, without embarrassment.

    I heard something about using johnsons floor wax / mop 'n Glo -- not kidding -- for a short term shine.

    Looking to cheat here. I know the proper answer is wetsand / compound / polish / wax and lots of elbow grease. Prefer to skip whatever I can and have it shine for a just a short while before painting

    Ideas ?
  2. Pascal, Aug 23, 2020
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It a Hinckley. It looks better with bad gelcoat than 99% of other boats with a shinny hull :)
  3. Capt J, Aug 23, 2020
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If it's that bad, have it Awlgripped and then there is zero maintenance besides washing it with Awlwash.

    You could buff it with that all in one- 3m restorer wax. I'd be afraid of using anything on it for fear you'd have adhesion issues with the paint. Just use the damn boat as it is, then next season after it's painted, tell them you bought a new boat. LOL.
  4. NYCAP123, Aug 23, 2020
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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  5. chesapeake46, Aug 23, 2020
    #5
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    + 1
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2020
  6. AMG, Aug 23, 2020
    #6
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    I had the impression all Hinckleys were Awlgripped from new..?
  7. olderboater, Aug 23, 2020
    #7
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Old boat show trick. Get some spray wax. You may need to repeat, but you'll get a better shine than the guys in the adjacent booth who have spent all day waxing. You can do a boat in minutes.

    They use to even use formica waxes.
  8. usual suspect, Aug 23, 2020
    #8
    usual suspect

    usual suspect New Member

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  9. NYCAP123, Aug 23, 2020
    #9
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Looking forward to that. Don't forget to let us know how it is to apply and later to let us know how it holds up.
  10. gr8trn, Aug 23, 2020
    #10
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Here is a gelcoat hack using linseed oil. This is about as easy as I could imagine for a hack. I don't see any downside. About $15 per quart so not a spendy hack either.

  11. T.T., Aug 23, 2020
    #11
    T.T.

    T.T. Senior Member

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    Penetrol for oil based paints/varnishes will improve dull gelcoat
  12. Beau, Aug 23, 2020
    #12
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    IMO use it as is. You risk applying something that's going to add $$ to your upcoming paint job. As asked above, is it gelcoat or awlgrip?
  13. Capt J, Aug 23, 2020
    #13
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Try the Awlcare product, it IS an Awlgrip product. Easy to wipe on/wipe off. Doubt it will do much but you really never know.
  14. usual suspect, Aug 26, 2020
    #14
    usual suspect

    usual suspect New Member

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    it's original gelcoat from 1998. They'd be using a DA on the entire boat pre-paint right ? So i'm not sure how this approach will add cost to the paint job. I gotta think it'll all be sanded off anyhow when they prep the gelcoat for primer and paint right ?
  15. NYCAP123, Aug 26, 2020
    #15
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    There's another possibility. It might do a good enough job that you won't have to paint.:cool: Never know till you try.
  16. Beau, Aug 26, 2020
    #16
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I did not say it would cost you more, only that it could. I offered only my opinion as to what I would do I have no science to offer. For me, I don't do anything to the boat hull for the month we're talkin' about, but enjoy the heck out of it until it gets painted. If I were anxious about the hull's current appearance, I'd hang a sign on it "to be painted, check back next season"
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2020
  17. f3504x4ps, Aug 26, 2020
    #17
    f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    Best thing to do is ask the paint shop that will be painting the boat what you could use. The Boat will have to have a wax remover applied and good wash down before any sanding work or all you do is heat the wax and move it around and then have fish eye or adhesion issues with what ever product is used for paint.
  18. usual suspect, Sep 14, 2020
    #18
    usual suspect

    usual suspect New Member

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    Well, I will let you guys decide if you like it or not. I have zero commercial interests here, just a guy and an ugly gelcoat job experimenting. I did the boat w/ the F11 Topcoat stuff that I found. The pictures here make it look better than real life probably. I"d say I'm happy, as it is only intended to be a short-term fix before the paint job this winter. You can clearly see where I did / did not apply this stuff. FYI, the bottle for fifty bucks is 16 oz, I probably sprayed (mist) on about 4 ounces, and did the whole boat (outta the water) in an hour. It accomplished my goal, but did not fix all the damage and dock rash so that will wait until we get to the paint shop in november.
    How long will it stay "shiny" ? dunno.

    EDIT: YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY CLICK ON -- ENLARGE EACH PIC TO SEE THE "AFTER" PART

    Attached Files:

  19. gr8trn, Sep 14, 2020
    #19
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    And you are painting now because...?
    That looks great, even if that is temporary you have what you were after, thanks for the follow up.
  20. usual suspect, Sep 14, 2020
    #20
    usual suspect

    usual suspect New Member

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    because the pics make it look better than reality. it's still cloudy, and there are some previous hull repairs that jump off the page when you see it in person. Decided to do the topsides, bottom and full wood package now that I know the mechanicals are good.

    I'm a sailor, so I'm not used to all this powerboat stuff. I swear the most fun thing about it is maneuvering around the docks with that jet stick. I'm gonna be putting on a docking clinic in the harbor all with just a flick of my wrist, super fun how these things move around with so little effort
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