Oxidized GelCoat: 3M Perfect It Compound?

[marant]

Have decided I want to try to bring the shine back to my 2010 17B. Have tried to research (unbelievable how many posts on shining up gelcoat) and have pretty well decided to use 3M Perfect It Medium Compound. It gets good reviews in the gelcoat boat arena.

Has anyone used this compound, and with what results?

[jamie beers]

I'm interested too in what others have to say. You're right - there are so many posts and opinions on waxes, polishes, etc..

I've got oxidation on roof and starting on walls. I'm a bit disappointed since I've waxed trailer every 3-4 months since new (2014) with Meguiars flagship marine wax. Want to clean it up and try another variety of wax/sealant, thinking about Starbrite premium marine polish.

[chemando]

Any idea which Meguiars product the 3M medium compares closest too? I have heard the 3M products are also very good but don't have any experience with them.

I recently went over my entire 2013 to remove oxidation.

The two sides and front were in decent shape. I applied Meguiars 50 cleaner wax using a polishing pad on a Porter Cable 7424XP. Then applied Meguiars Flagship marine wax.

The roof and back were in much worse condition. I used Meguiars 49 oxidation remover applied by hand with a terry cloth. Using the polisher while up on a ladder didn't seem like a good idea. Then I applied Meguiars Flagship marine wax. This worked well to remove all the oxidation but if I wanted it really shiny I would have probably needed to do an intermediate step with Meguiars 44 or 45. I might give this a try later this summer on the back. I am not too worried about the roof since its out of sight.

[padlin]

jamie, I've tested the Starbright vs Mequiars flagship. Got the same as you with the M, and about double that with Starbright. But, M gives a deeper shine.


I like 3m car care products, have never had a bad experience. That said I went to M as they are easier to get and usually cheaper.



for oxydation I used M's #83 dual action cleaner/polish with good results. I just picked up a jug of their #67 one step compound (marine and rv), but haven't tried it yet.


you're not doing this by hand are you?

[7th Heaven]

On the recommendation from West Marine I picked up this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It worked well.

[Rossue]

Spent a lot if time using all the above Meguiars products both with rotary buffer and by hand. Spent time also consulting with Meguiars who were trying to be really helpful yet wasn't cutting it(literally). Look at some videos of guys doing boats as that is where you will find most of the useful info. It is a painstaking art at the end of the day. I finally got the results I was looking for using Barkeepers Friend, which is a step or two less than wet sanding which is what ETI suggested when I sent in pictures.

I too have always kept up on waxing and if left outside 2-3 times a year is not going to prevent oxidation no matter what you use IMO.

[jamie beers]

Yes, I have been doing by hand. Just bought a buffer to use from now on.

I've got Meguiars M49 oxidation remover, M45 polisher (both of these are in 7th Heaven's restoration kit). Then reviewing all options for a new wax/sealant - 303, nufinish, Starbrite, Collinite,...

[jamie beers]

Originally Posted by Rossue

I finally got the results I was looking for using Barkeepers Friend.

Rossue, I just looked up Barkeepers and it seems to be a very popular cleaner. I'm assuming you'd need to wax/seal after using? If so, what did you use?

[jamie beers]

Originally Posted by Rossue

I too have always kept up on waxing and if left outside 2-3 times a year is not going to prevent oxidation no matter what you use IMO.

I'm starting to believe this too. I'd hoped that 3-4 times per year would work but it hasn't. Seems like my choices are to wax more often , or try a different product or build a shelter..... or all three!

[Rossue]

I used Meguiars Flagship Marine wax and their Carnuba wax and their Polish. Did this back in February and it's looking pretty darn good after a bath a couple days ago.

[Greg A]

I use 3M fiberglass restorer with an orbital polisher if chalked. Then Meguiars Premium Marine twice a year. This process was arrived at restoring 5 older 80s/90s trailers and has worked the best to date.

[Rossue]

If starting from scratch I would try the 3M products first to tackle oxidation as the Meguiars was leaving swirl marks and holograms and seems that 3M has been making these products primarily for boats for a while now.

[skiman]

Just finished cleaning up my 2014. Finish still looks pretty much like new. I have used BTS (Bow to Stern) 3 or 4 times a year since new. Just wash and apply with spray bottle and rag. I generally treat in the spring coming out of the cover, after major trips and before covering in the fall. Not real shiny going on, but also doesn't need buffed out so much unless you desire. So far happy to with my results. My plastic fittings are still turning yellow on the sun side however. YRMV

[cpaharley2008]

I thought "303" would prevent the yellowing issue.....?

[skiman]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I thought "303" would prevent the yellowing issue.....?

Could be. Others experience? If I bought a new Escape every year then I could experiment. I have even filled my propane tanks several times.

[tdf-texas]

I've had good success with Collinite 920 Fiberglass Boat Cleaner and 925 Fiberglass Boat Wax. The carnuba wax still beads after 6 months in the Texas sun and using a Porter Cable 7424xp to apply, it's fairly easy to do.

303 on the rubber parts and krylon fusion for plastic dover white on the plastic ones.

[marant]

Just ordered 3M Perfect It #2. Will report back after I use it. Even remembered to take 'before' pictures!

[dave macrae]

I have used the mequiars as well as the 3m products and have have had the best results with the 3m products, the rubbing compound when used with a medium pad on my dewalt power polisher on anything heavily oxidized. I have done a bit of power polishing on cars as well as gelcoats, it seems although the products are similar using automotive ( paint with clearcoat ) products on gelcoat does not seem to work. I have had much better results using the proper gelcoat products. Not really sure whats different about the products.

[Greg A]

I wouldn’t recommend using an orbital polisher with the Meguiars Premium Marine. I’ve found it is a perfect hand applied and buffed product and is simple to apply and buff off by hand. The 3M restorer definitely likes the orbital polisher as it is a good product to remove chalking and needs a more robust application. It doesn’t produce a great finish shine without the hand application of the Meguiars afterward. I only use the 3M when the trailer has chalking.

[Rossue]

Agree that for wax hand application is good. For oxidation you do need the right tool to cut with and even orbital polishers generally won't "cut it".

I tried the DeWalt polisher(which is rotary-not orbital)and it was a beast(6.7 lbs.) and sent it back. With the Chicago Electric @ Harbor Freight(5.5 lbs. and smaller) I can use it one-handed on the roof. The pros like the DeWalt as it has a soft start feature which is a good thing with clear coats on autos. The gel coats are much tougher and harder to damage- not that you can't do it. Also, a pro grade wool pad works better for medium-heavy oxidation than any foam pad.