Gel coat

[Rich and Rei]

Am wanting to make some ugly areas on my vintage camper look better.
Is there something I can order that I can apply by myself?
The camper has some dark areas on the gel coat.
Have used Bar Keepers Friend with no success.
Have plenty of time now but cant seem to find what would do the job.
Thanks for any advice.

[David B.]

Originally Posted by Rich and Rei

Am wanting to make some ugly areas on my vintage camper look better.
Is there something I can order that I can apply by myself?
The camper has some dark areas on the gel coat.
Have used Bar Keepers Friend with no success.
Have plenty of time now but cant seem to find what would do the job.
Thanks for any advice.

Try talking to a marine shop to find out how they would go about getting rid of stains in the fiberglass. Best of luck.
Dave & Paula

[Glenn Baglo]

I had a stain on my Escape. I guessed it was some sort of weed killer or insecticide applied to my neighbour's lawn or perhaps from paving equipment that I drove past. Anyway, I polished the area with a 3M marine cleaner, polish. Took some elbow grease, but it restored the finish. Pix: before and after.

[Osos1]

Thought I had some defects in gel coat. A local boat builder gave me that opinion, then quotes $1700 to do oxidation removal saying it would help that area but not cure it. By luck another FG owner saw a mobile crew working in a RV dealership and hired him. Had them also do mine and after about 12 man hours(2 guys) going through a regimen based on experience using 3M oxidation remover with other products they fixed a problem I've had for about 2 years. Bottom line: right products & tools combined with experience. They charged me $400 for my Escape 21 and am very happy and relieved to know the first guy was full of it!

[Osos1]

Forgot to mention- I tried myself using Meguiars products with a rotary polisher. I was using foam pads and the pros used wool, which with the 3M is just more aggressive.

[Rich and Rei]

Thank you all for the info.
I am not wanting to spend a lot of money and dont have any knowledge about gel coat.
I will check with the boat dealer .
Hopefully going to some vintage rallies this summer-want her to be pretty!

[Osos1]

Also, it didn't take 12 man hours for that area, which was about 2'× 7'. Gelcoat is pretty tough- much more so than clear coat on your car. Good luck & report results.

[Glenn Baglo]

Read up. 3M also sells more aggressive polishes for gel coat.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...3087021&rt=rud

[Osos1]

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...94857497&rt=r3

Meguiars is great for cars; 3M Rocks for FG!