|
|
Posts: 1148
| I had tried at least a dozen different products to try and shine up my '87 fiberglass boat. Nothing worked for more than 2-3 weeks. When rubbing product on the boat I would even pick up pieces of metal flake on the rag. I've read this is a good sign the gelcoat is gone as the flake is part of the paint really.
Anyways, I decided to try the vaseline trick I've heard about. WOW. It works. Apply a liberal amount and leave it on the boat for a couple of days in the hot sun. Then wipe excess off with a towel. Some of the vaseline soaks into the fiberglass and does an amazing job restoring the color.
BTW, I have no idea how long this will last and I wish I would've taken before and after photos.
Also, if you're fortunate enough to have a nicer, newer boat that's great. I don't want to hear about why I shouldn't use vaseline and how I should get some compound and a buffer and fix it right because I've done that, it doesn't work.
For anyone with a badly faded boat I would recommend giving it a try at least. Best part is it's super easy to apply, only costs $2, and works 10X better than anything I've tried.
Edited by MartinTD 7/27/2011 8:25 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 395
Location: NW WI | Just curious...where did you hear about this trick? Keep us posted on how it holds up too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The flake is part of the gelcoat, actually. Fiberglass boats are built 'inside out', with the first thing going in to the mold clear gel coat a few mils thick. After that goes the flake, then a backup color behind that, and then layers of laminate. You lost the clear gel on your boat to oxidation, sounds like.
Let us know how that holds up! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1148
| I read about the trick on iboats and bbc forums. There are quite a few guys on those boards that have done it and posted before and after pics. I know my boat looks better now than it ever has as long as I've owned it. Some of those guys say it lasts up to a year, I'll let everyone know how it's looking in a month or so.
Either way, my boat's value is probably not much more than $3500 so I'm not about to invest in getting the gelcoat redone. The boat really does look great now and if I've got to lube the boat up with vaseline even 3 times a year I'll be ahead in my book.
Edited by MartinTD 7/27/2011 12:17 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | I'm going to have to try this. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 437
| Thats a lot of vaseline! I bet you get some funny looks when you buy it at Sams club by the gallon!
Edited by Captain 7/27/2011 2:40 PM
|
|
| |
Vaseline Trick