coat of gel coat ?

[hbschof 3]

Good afternoon all , has anyone researched the cost of gel coat for Elite 11 or actual had it done , as the roof is getting fairly chaulk and window seals are turning black from Texas sun 

[topgun2 1,200]

I don't believe that you can actually re-apply gel coat without sanding down to the fiberglass underneath and even then I think that there would be difficulties.  There are a number of threads about this subject over on the Fiberglass RV Forums.

Usually the preferred method is to polish the "chaulk" (sp) off and give it a good coat of wax.  If, indeed the gelcoat is beyond repair then people resort to things similar to floor sealer after they have polished off the chalk.  I'd first check with a good detail and/or boat shop before proceeding.

Bill

[SeaDawg 1,354]

You can usually bring gelcoat back with fine rubbing compound, and buffing, waxing etc.

Gelcoat isn't a paint, or a coating. It's fiberglass, without the "fiber", and sprayed onto the mold before the rest of the fiberglass is built up.

The gelcoat on our trailer is marine grade, fairly thick, and you'd be surprised at what some buffing and waxing can do. Even when it looks chalky and tired.

 

 

[hbschof 3]

thank you both 

[Jim_Oker 259]

Yes, fwiw I recently rehabbed the long neglected white fiberglass top of a sixteen year old camper van with a buffer and two steps of buffing compound and then some paste wax, per pointers SeaDawg had given somewhere on the forum to Practical Sailor magazine, which has a fantastic set of articles on the topic including well done tests/reviews of various products for each step. I used it as an excuse to get another power tool 🙂  - I went with a pretty decent Shurhold dual action buffer rather than the awesomely powerful but perhaps hard for newbies to handle DeWalt - forsaking a little efficiency in favor of not burning my fiberglass. It will come in handy for the regular wax jobs required for the trailer too (presuming I stick with the paste wax which does seem to do a pretty great job). Here's one of the multiple PS articles I read to help guide me through this rewarding if time consuming task. There are businesses that do fiberglass work that will probably be up for doing this for you as well - often clustered around businesses catering to boaters but not always. The van top now looks great and more importantly is not a dirt magnet as it had become, and water beads up and runs off instead of just spreading out in a film on the formerly very chalky surface.

Edited January 30 by Jim_Oker

[hbschof 3]

this is all good to know , because I was reading one estimate of 3-5k 

[Neuman's 10]

Re-gelcoating is not even remotely practical.  It can be done but the cost would be well north of 10 - 15K and there is really no point in it.  If your gelcoat has gone beyond buffing and waxes, than painting is the next step.  This is done all the time with fibreglass boats.  In fact, I don't think I have ever heard of anyone re-gelcoating an entire boat ... small, damaged areas yes but not large surfaces.  You can do an amazingly good job by rolling and tipping some of the high tech paints commonly used in the marine trades and professionally done sprayed two part urethane paints will out-shine new gel coat.  When your Oliver reaches, say 40-50 it may need paint but not before.

Edited January 31 by Neuman's

[Jim_Oker 259]

Here's another of the very helpful PS articles

[georgelewisray 5]

On 1/30/2021 at 5:38 PM, Neuman's said:

high tech paints commonly used in the marine trades and professionally done sprayed two part urethane paints will out-shine new gel coat.

Neuman's comments are 'right on the money'.

Gelcoat on boats (same as Oliver) commonly can be buffed and waxed to like new for easily 25+ years. The next step is painting with something like AwlGrip or AwlCraft and your ready for next 20 years.

[rideandfly 207]

We have had good results on Ollie using Meguiar's #67 Marine/RV one step compound then Meguiar's Flagship Marine wax.

[oliver305 0]

I am using Poli Glow, very satisfied with it. This stuff works and will make the surface looks new.  This Gelcoat restorer from Poli Glow is offering its superior quality effects without giving unnecessary flaking off or yellowing the surface. Just make sure that the surface is clean before the application and you will have the best gelcoat surface for a long time.

[Ray and Susan Huff 524]

On 2/23/2021 at 6:30 PM, rideandfly said:

We have had good results on Ollie using Meguiar's #67 Marine/RV one step compound then Meguiar's Flagship Marine wax.

3M also makes a good marine fiberglass/gel coat restorer and protectant: https://www.amazon.com/3M-09005-Marine-Restorer-Wax/dp/B0000AY65X/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2VJ0S4J967QA31EBVEA1

There are several formulations, depending on the degree of oxidation.  We use this (for light oxidation) to restore and protect our fiberglass tub/shower.  Works great for built up soap scum.

 

Edited Friday at 11:44 PM by Ray and Susan Huff