Fiberglass hull color fading

[croixflats]

Woops this should go into boats and motors if a moderator could move it I would be greatfull

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The hull on my fiberglass boat is fading. It's just a grey color but is now losing its grey and becoming dull and white.

Is this oxidation and can it be buffed or waxed out or is the gel coat losing its pigmentation from age and/or uv infiltration.

[boatfixer]

Its more than likely oxidation and just the very top layer and can be rubbed out. You can try to polish and it will look fine for awhile but will come right back. Using something like 3-M superduty rubbing compound with a wool pad should do the trick. If you do use a buffer, be careful not to burn the gel-coat, keep it moving at all times.

[ChuckN]

I've been fighting an oxidation issue on the gunnel of my black glass boat. It seems like a deep oxidation issue that is a real bad deal.

My friend had a small amount of 3M boat restore stuff that seemed to work, but we didn't have enough and it was a temporary fix.

Where can I find 3M superduty rubbing compound? I've looked all over for the 3M boat stuff and I can't find it. I'd love to fix this issue.

[boatfixer]

Its not boat specific. I know NAPA carries it.

[croixflats]

Thanks for the advice I'll takle this this spring on a nice warm day.

[marine_man]

You could also do a search in this forum for posts by Steve Bakken - he runs Bakken's boat shop and has posted a wealth of knowledge regarding this subject.

marine_man