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Buffing, Cleaning or Renewing Gelcoat

FM Former Member
My 1994 CMC still has it's original red gelcoat finish. While mostly smooth and shiney it does have areas that are dull and some appear to have a film or residue on them beyond what normal washing will remove.
I'm not looking to refinish the car nor to have a show finish. I simply want to clean whatever residue is left and maybe even out the sheen a bit. I am applying numbers, etc... to the car and want a clean base under those too.
I have used polishing compond in the past on painted cars (Dupont #7 white polishing compound) with good results but not sure how it would do on fiberglass. I was going to test it inside a door edge where it won't be seen first unless someone has better ideas here.
Thanks,
Tony
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FM Former Member
My 1994 CMC still has it's original red gelcoat finish. While mostly smooth and shiney it does have areas that are dull and some appear to have a film or residue on them beyond what normal washing will remove.
I'm not looking to refinish the car nor to have a show finish. I simply want to clean whatever residue is left and maybe even out the sheen a bit. I am applying numbers, etc... to the car and want a clean base under those too.
I have used polishing compond in the past on painted cars (Dupont #7 white polishing compound) with good results but not sure how it would do on fiberglass. I was going to test it inside a door edge where it won't be seen first unless someone has better ideas here.
Thanks,
Tony
execk2execk2
That film residue, is it at the top of the doors? That is from people leaning in and your arm while driving. That can be buffed a little with a fibreglass compound. (see nautical supply) But it will never shine as well as you like.

Is there a dull look over the sides of the engine area? That is the gelcoat heated up from the engine. Again you can buff but it will never be as shiny as other parts.

I had the red gelcoat as well and the only thing that cured it was a paint job.

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vwbugvwbug
Mine had been setting for several years and was looking pretty sad. I buffed it out with the full treatment from No. 7 to finishing glaze. It does not hurt the glass at all though it is softer than paint so you have to be a little more careful about burning. I had a couple of absolute dead spots and they came out as well.

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FM Former Member
Ben,
Did you use the #7 by hand or with an automotive buffer ? The instructions on the can of #7 say apply in linear strokes where as a buffer will do it circular (and way faster).

The residue is in various spots. It looks like things have settled on it from years in various garages. Little bit of overspray too from undercoating, etc.... Maybe some oxidation too.

I am more concerned about just having a clean surface under the vinyl numbers than shine.

I even thought about those bathroom cleaners. Some are suited for use on fiberglass tub enclosures so should clean well and be safe on the gelcoat as they are less abrasive than the usual fare used in household cleaning.

Tony
V VSPDSTR
Bought my car in July and it had been sitting outside uncovered in So. Calif. by the beach for almost a year and was very dull. After trying several "cleaners" sold by auto parts stores (worthless mostly) I found a product called Fast Wing Cleaner (www.advancedchemical.com/t11.shtml). It is for cars, airplanes and boats. Works great even using the "wax on - wax off" method. I then finished up with Maquires polish then wax. Not like brand new but much much better.
FM Former Member
I've done it. I started by wet sanding it with 1500, then 2000 grit. Follwed by a rubbing compound and then miro glaze. Used a variable speed buffer with two differnt heads, at about 1500-2000 rpm. You can buy them at harbor freight. By the two buffer heads at the same auto paint store you buy the 3-M rubbing compound and micro glaze at. I forget the numbers, but they can tell you. That or write me and I'll look in the garage for you. It will shine like you did not relize possible.
FM Former Member
Thanks for all the possible solutions. I tried a cheap automotive polishing compond by hand with fair results. It is less abrasive than the #7 stuff and took off some of the residue. The laquer thinner worked best on some tar or overspray spots.

Happy with how the car is looking now and don't really need a show car finish.

Best,
Tony
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