re: How to repair a faded boat?

I watch a lot of YouTube. There are some excellent video by Jamestown Distributors line of Total Boat products, some Great how to videos. Also check out some videos on the channel Tips From a Shipwright. He is probably sponsored by JT but has many great videos on hull finishes and boat repairs and construction.

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you paid a 100k for a boat and you come to a public forum to ask about how to fix the fading paint?


Something tells me you can't actually afford that boat.

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Because I don’t want to pay to have it wet sanded and repainted! You obviously don’t have any idea what you’re talking about

I’m still laughing at the fact that you think you’re a badass for owning a ‘$100k +’ cobalt

This is how I know you’re not a boat guy.

So you're rich enough to buy a 100k boat but too stupid to take care of it?

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I was the 16 year old making $10/hr

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No shame in actually having to work when I was 16. Hell it may have even been $8/hr. That was well over a decade ago.

Sounds like the gelcoat has oxidized. You have to wax gelcoat often to prevent it. Not sure what they mean by out of clear coat, most boats aren't cleared. If they mean out of gel coat after 2 refinished then someone used way too much rubbing compound or the boat was in really bad shape. I'd call around to some body shops, if they can get the color back. If you do get the color back I would probably get it cleared. This will prevent the oxidation but it must be applied correctly, find a shop that has done it before. Lastly, you can always get a wrap instead.

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Thanks for the legit response! I’ve considered getting it wrapped but I’m worried it won’t last if it bumps a dock or something. Obviously I use the fenders but it still gets bumped from time to time

ZEP floor wax. Not kidding. 4 to 5 coats, use a microfiber towel, white if possible. Pour some in a pan, saturate the towel, wring it out, start wiping in smooth lines. Once you get around the boat it should be dry and ready for another coat. Repeat until the gloss is where you want it. As a coat or two every year to refresh. Strips off with their stripper. Have a 96 bass boat that looks brand new gets a few new coats every year. RV crowd has been doing it for years on fiberglass RVs. Used to be made by red max. Google red max pro Rv, you will get a lot of hits on the forums.

I bought a 37 foot total length (13 ft wide) Carver yacht out of Baltimore a few years back. The boat was never covered in Baltimore thus beaten down pretty bad. These were the steps I personally did by myself. I took an entire week off of work. The boat looked brand new when done.

First, wet sand with 1000 grit everything from the pulpit to the swim platform. Then wash boat.

Second, wet sand with 1500 grit...then wash boat again.

Third, apply by hand, then using a non orbiting buffer, compound everything using 3M Heavy Compound. Then wash boat...again.

Fourth, same as above, stepped down to 3M Microfinishing Compound. Wash that damn boat again.

Fifth, same as above, stepped down to 3M Finesse-it II. Yep, you guessed it, washed her again.

Sixth, same as above, moved to Waxing Frenzy for the wax job. Personally, I think it's the best wax ever made. Guess what....I didn't have to wash after this step. Just followed up with a soft rag after buffing with the buffer to get a real clean job.

This was when I did the bottom job prior to the steps above. Big boat. I also removed the upper decals.



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