Fiberglass, gelcoat or paint? How can I tell?

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I'm gearing up to clean and buff the exterior of our dull and dirty(very, very dull and dirty) 1971 Compact Junior. I read in the archives about what products are suggested and started calling around to see where I could find them locally. First question I got asked was, "Is the exterior really fiberglass or is it paint or gelcoat?" So how do I tell?

- Suzy in Montana

[Legacy Posts]

gelcoat can be like a paint and sprayed on or gell coat can be inbedded in the fiberglass so scratchs same color. paint only covers the exterior . and remember paint come in many forms.
best i can say if you scrach it and it same as top in color it is probanly gelcoat. most confuseing . if it chios off in flakes it is probably paint , if it just scratches and leaves white it probably gelcoat top coat
if all your are doing is polishing a fiberglass polish will work on gellcoat and paint .
if you are removeing oxidation i would ask a local marine rv fiberglass body shop type person or try in a hidden area like the roof.

[Legacy Posts]

Thanks Al. I think it must be gelcoat then. - Suzy