[Rhodes22-list] Restoring gelcoat

[Lowe, Rob]

Mike,
Wow!  That's quite a difference.  My boat hull is the same blue and it's a 92 and looks exactly like your 'before' picture.  I know what next year's project is going to be. - rob

________________________________
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> on behalf of Michael D. Weisner <mweisner at ebsmed.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 5, 2020 9:38 AM
To: 'The Rhodes 22 Email List' <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Restoring gelcoat

Yesterday, mention was made on the list of repair to the gel coat. The post
spoke of damage to a Rhodes 22 that had a painted hull. As I learned, there
is quite a difference between a painted vs. a colored gel coat hull. The
method of repair needs to be quite different.



About a decade ago I purchased a used 1991 Rhodes project boat to add to my
collection. I replaced much of the rigging, wiiring, plumbing and completely
rebuilt the engine. The hull was solid but the navy blue color was very
chalky and looked awful. I sold my original '81 Rhodes and began sailing the
"new" '91 exlusively. I never addressed the hull finish because I had been
told that the blue color was paint and needed to be repainted, something
that I was not considering at the time. Besides, she looked beautiful from
the cockpit. I cringed when I pointed her out as my boat from the dock.



This past spring I purchased a Megiuars 3 part gel coat restoration kit. I
tried the oxide restorer and was not impressed. After a lot of rubbing, I
could barely see a difference. The remainder of the kit is polish and wax. I
decided that I would try some heavy duty Turtle Wax compound in a location
that was somewhat hidden, as an experiment. It would either remove the paint
or clean up the gel coat.



I hand rubbed the compound on the stern, over and under the motor mount. I
was amazed at the change in the finish! The haze was gone and the color was
solid. It even shined a bit! I removed the rudder and worked the entire
stern using the compound. I then used the Megiuars kit according to the
directions and couldn't  believe my eyes. Her beauty was not just skin deep.



After reviewing several Youtube videos, I purchased a Bauer dual action
orbital polisher and several coarse foam pads from Harbor Freight. I stopped
at Walmart to buy another container of Turtle Wax Heavy Duty Compound as
well as a medium grit. I donned an N95 mask and safety glasses and carefully
worked the compound both by hand and machine, being careful not to remove
too much material. There is an art to this method. The compound actually
breaks down into a finer grit as it is used. The videos show how to lightly
spray water to prevent working completely dry. As the grit becomes finer,
you can increase the speed to polish the finish. When done correctly, there
should be little material left to actually wipe off.



The port side looked great before I used the Megiuars products and even
better after! I did not attempt to work out or fill the deep gouges. I just
wanted the color to be restored. She is, after all, nearly thirty years old
and has her share of war wounds.



I spend about three days on the gel coat. I then cleaned the deck thoroughly
and she looks like new, well almost. Now it is finally time to go sailing.
We plan to launch this week on the high tide.



Mike

s/v Wind Lass ('91)

Nissequogue River, NY





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