hbschof 3 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 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 Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators topgun2 1,200 Posted January 30 Moderators Share Posted January 30 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 1 2017 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist" Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators SeaDawg 1,354 Posted January 30 Moderators Share Posted January 30 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. 1 3 2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4 2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12 Link to post Share on other sites
hbschof 3 Posted January 30 Author Share Posted January 30 thank you both Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_Oker 259 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 (edited) 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 1 4 Jim and Yanna, Woodinville WA 2004 Ford E250 camper conversion Oliver Elite II hull #709 Link to post Share on other sites
hbschof 3 Posted January 30 Author Share Posted January 30 this is all good to know , because I was reading one estimate of 3-5k Link to post Share on other sites
Neuman's 10 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 (edited) 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 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_Oker 259 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 Here's another of the very helpful PS articles 2 1 Jim and Yanna, Woodinville WA 2004 Ford E250 camper conversion Oliver Elite II hull #709 Link to post Share on other sites
georgelewisray 5 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 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. 1 'There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us,it doesn't behoove any of us to speak evil of the rest of us' > In line for 2021 OTT EII , TAB Teardrop is up for sale after about 10,000 miles of pleasant learning < Link to post Share on other sites
rideandfly 207 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 We have had good results on Ollie using Meguiar's #67 Marine/RV one step compound then Meguiar's Flagship Marine wax. 3 Bill LE2 #75 Link to post Share on other sites
oliver305 0 Posted Thursday at 01:19 PM Share Posted Thursday at 01:19 PM 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Ray and Susan Huff 524 Posted Friday at 11:40 PM Share Posted Friday at 11:40 PM (edited) 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 1 Ray and Susan Huff Elite II Twin "Pearl" - Hull#699; delivered December 7, 2020 2013 F350 6.7l diesel Super Duty 4x4 long bed crew cab 2017 Leisure Travel Van Unity Twin Bed (sold) Link to post Share on other sites
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