www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1985 Sundowner 225 that I bought last August, my first boat. It's in great shape and I feel I really got a good boat, the only thing is that I can't get the gel coat to shine. It looks all hazy and faded. I waxed it both by hand and buffer this spring before I put it in and while it helped a little, I was disappointed. Then within a week, it looked like I never touched it. Anybody have a certain product or technique they know of that can help me? I have asked dealers and marine store salesman, but I'm not sure I want to trust guys just trying to sell me something.

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you can use my toilet, but you're pumping it out when we get back.

Gelcoat is very pourous when looked at under a microscope, it's not at all like paint and due to the pourosity it will leach out the pigments in time, and much less time than today's paints.

The only real solution to make badly faded gelcoat shine is to use hand applied clear coats like Poliglow. They are sort of like suped up floor waxes they go on clear and dry clear and usually last the season. You could also try wet sanding and buffing but I doubt you will be able to get great results.

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Brett DiMichele

even if i have to do it once or twice every season, that's fine, but will that give it a glossy look again? could I have it re-painted?

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you can use my toilet, but you're pumping it out when we get back.

Yes the Poliglow will make it look "wet" it's like a clear coat.

Yes boats can be painted and will actually look better, far longer.. Paint is harder than gelcoat (as far as resistance to fading and chaulking) but it won't be cheap to have a whole boat painted. And I wouldn't use anything other than Awlgrip or Imron.

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Brett DiMichele

thank you for the tips and shared knowledge, i'll give it a go and post some before and after pics when i'm done.

_________________
you can use my toilet, but you're pumping it out when we get back.