Badly Oxidized Gelcoat

[TristenT]

Another good option is getting the boat vinyl wrapped if there's a good shop close to you. Over all been pretty impressed with boats that have had this done, it is possibly for the wrap to get damaged but you run that risk with anything. I have wondered about getting the entire hull wrapped with a clear 3M product similar to the fender guard or the clear bras that get put on cars. I am not sure about the UV protection with these though, probably just depends from brand to brand.

 

[Clarar]

My experience with the blue gelcoat on my 2014 RT25SC has not been good. In less than 2 years I had significant oxidation and requiring compounding every year to make it look presentable for a few months. Also my gelcoat was extremely porous with microscopic holes. I finally had the hull painted with AWLGRIP. The agreed cost of $8500 with the yard to paint grew to $11000 due to additional prep required for the holes. The hull looks great now with easy maintenance to keep it looking new.

Dealing with significant oxidation and the need for frequent compounding can be frustrating. The decision to switch to AWLGRIP and have the hull painted seems to have been a wise one, despite the unexpected additional costs. It's good to hear that the hull looks great now and requires less maintenance to keep it looking new. Hopefully, this solution provides you with better long-term durability and appearance for your vessel.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

It’s quite a process to paint awlgrip. Either sprayed on or tip and roll.

I’m curious if others have had quotes for a cutwater/tug sized boats

This thread shows a lot of skill is required.
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-ho ... iated.html

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I tackled my bad hull with the 3m compound and wool pad last week. It worked well. I now need to go over it again with the 3m polish to remove the swirls.

I can already see my reflection in the gel coat.

These are the products I used.

Compound
Perfect-It Perfect-It EX AC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DCMM48E

Polish (not yet done)
3M Perfect-It EX Machine Polish,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015S8S2RG

3m wool pad
https://a.co/d/8BtG4KJ

 

[Diatom]

Another good option is getting the boat vinyl wrapped if there's a good shop close to you. Over all been pretty impressed with boats that have had this done, it is possibly for the wrap to get damaged but you run that risk with anything. I have wondered about getting the entire hull wrapped with a clear 3M product similar to the fender guard or the clear bras that get put on cars. I am not sure about the UV protection with these though, probably just depends from brand to brand.

Tristen T's comment pushed me over the edge, abandoned Awlgrip fantasies and "ceramic" tinkering in favor of cheap/fast and supposedly repairable vinyl.
Hull, eyebrow and "hat" atop aft roof all done in a day. Specified 3M "boat blue". Delighted with results; mirror finish all round closely matching original gelcoat color.
Invoice was 1/3 that of Awlgrip application quote. Attached pic shows worst surfaces (eyebrow parts) before/after. If this stuff stands up to road grit and gravel impingement on automobiles it has to be at least so robust as paint or a monolayer hydrophobic coating; after all it's more or less the same concept as paint - it's just of perfectly uniform thickness and cured prior to, rather than after, application. Maintenance: spritz with fresh water on hot days to rinse off salt. No-brainer so far as I'm concerned.

/Diatom

 

[Cutwater28GG]

interesting Diatom! I assume they had to remove items like the light bracket to lay down the vinyl

Not sure where you are based but who was the company that did it for you?
also do you know the product / spec that was installed?

I spent my youth helping my dad install window graphics with soapy water, I think this could be an interesting DIY option as it should basically be the same

 

[Diatom]

interesting Diatom! I assume they had to remove items like the light bracket to lay down the vinyl

Not sure where you are based but who was the company that did it for you?
also do you know the product / spec that was installed?

I spent my youth helping my dad install window graphics with soapy water, I think this could be an interesting DIY option as it should basically be the same

Done by WrapBoats.ca (div Platinum Marine Group), based at Milltown Marina south Vancouver.
Product is 3M Boat Blue, purpose-designed.
Yeah - it resembled decal application yet simpler without all the water, and the tough film is much more resilient than fragile decals.
As with motor vehicles, it's applied with a clear removable layer atop the color layer - peeled once done.
I believe it could be done DYI provided you have a helper & vinyl the doghouse or something first to get the hang of it!
/Diatom

 

[Just Right]

Done by WrapBoats.ca (div Platinum Marine Group), based at Milltown Marina south Vancouver.
Product is 3M Boat Blue, purpose-designed.
Yeah - it resembled decal application yet simpler without all the water, and the tough film is much more resilient than fragile decals.
As with motor vehicles, it's applied with a clear removable layer atop the color layer - peeled once done.
I believe it could be done DYI provided you have a helper & vinyl the doghouse or something first to get the hang of it!
/Diatom

The Wrap looks great! I painted my hull with Alcraft 2000 but I can't seem to get motivated to paint the top pieces due to all the masking . This looks like the solution.


Where did they put the seams in the vinyl?

 

[Diatom]

The only detectible seams are on the eyebrow, aligned left/right extremes of the windshield. You have to hunt for them - they simply don't show up on casual inspection. /Diatom

 

[Diatom]

The only detectible seams are on the eyebrow, aligned left/right extremes of the windshield. You have to hunt for them - they simply don't show up on casual inspection. /Diatom

Here's the hull - pretty impressive for a 13yo midnight-blue boat. /Diatom