fading gel coat

[cementheadjeff]

have a 1987 blue pirata with modreate to severe gel coat fading. looking for advise on how to bring it back to life, or is a new paint job the best way to go?

thanks jeff

[SupraNut]

Try the three step process using MacGuires (sp?) first. takes a little elbow grease but the results re worth the effort.

[87 Sunsport]

Did you look in the " pride and joy" section? There's a new post about painting a '92 Mariah and a previous one about compounding and removing stripes on an 87 Saltaire.

I had some damage to my bow three years back and I had to have new glass, they recommended I paint it, rather than new gelcoat, and it looks pretty good. I wonder if the technology of epoxy paint has gotten to the point of competing with gelcoat. Still, after I read Salty's post on his Saltaire I bought a "harbor Freight" buffer.

[paragod]

Imron! All Fountain boats are painted it must last

[shf49]

If you can use a buffer you can sand the gel coat with a process of different grit sanding then buffing with 3M Gelcoat buffing compound. My Saltare required 600 grit to get the desired result. 600 first then 1000 grit then buffing. It is a hard job. I have done several boats over the years with great results. After compound go back over with a good machine polishing and then hand wax. There are some pics of my project at webshots if you want to look.
SHF
http://community.webshots.com/s/image12/1/12/2/157111202mcvsAg_fs.jpg