I just bought an older Donzi Classic that really needs some work. It's a white boat with gray hull sides and gray stripe down the deck and motor cover. I think the white will polish up pretty good but the gray is pretty dull and full of scuffs and scratches. I've read that if you put lots of cleaners, polish, and waxes on the gelcoat attempting to shine it up and if it doesn't turn out you'll have lots of problems if it needs paint. I guess the old gelcoat absorbs all these products and results in a poor paint job no matter how well you attempt to prepare the surface. Is this correct? If so, are there any good polishes or compounds that could be used that won't ruin a paint job if you're forced to repaint these areas? I'm pretty experienced with polishing and waxing cars but not sure where to start and with what products on a fiberglass boat. Any suggestions?
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Faded 22 Donzi Classic
- Thread starter birdog
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 1702
- Messages
- 1,621
I would start by sanding out the scratches and scuffs, Then wet sand with 2000 grit to remove the top layer of oxidized gelcoat, then polish (with Finesse-It III) and wax.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2006
- RO Number
- 20331
- Messages
- 214
After you're done wet sanding and rubbing compound and polish and wax, see how it looks. It's a great boat. A true classic. After you've worked your arms off, sanding and rubbing and polishing and waxing, enjoy it. When you decide to paint it, find a good boat repair and finish shop. Ask to see some of their work. They'll know how to prep it for paint. The more you can do with their OK's the better for your check book. It won't be cheap, for a first class job, but it's a 22' 2+3 Classic Donzi, sort of like having a restored 'vette or Cobra.
Well, you could try compounding first with something like 3M Super Duty. But if it is as rough as you suggest then wet sanding first will probably be more effective.
If you wet sand, start with 800 Wet or Dry, then follow successively with 1000, 1200, 1500 and end with 2000 grit. Don't skip anything in between. Go easy and keep it wet - you are really polishing the surface just more efficiently.
Then compound. If you wet sand through to 2000 you can sue 3M Imperial Compound &Finishing Material. If you want a superb finish then follow that with 3M's Imperial Microfinishing Compound. Then wax and use a really good wax.
It will be a lot of work, but it should look like new when you are done.
If you go the paint route, then once it's painted, its always painted. Gelcoat condition, other than cracks, shouldn't be a problem with a good painter doing the work. But it won't be cheap.
If you wet sand, start with 800 Wet or Dry, then follow successively with 1000, 1200, 1500 and end with 2000 grit. Don't skip anything in between. Go easy and keep it wet - you are really polishing the surface just more efficiently.
Then compound. If you wet sand through to 2000 you can sue 3M Imperial Compound &Finishing Material. If you want a superb finish then follow that with 3M's Imperial Microfinishing Compound. Then wax and use a really good wax.
It will be a lot of work, but it should look like new when you are done.
If you go the paint route, then once it's painted, its always painted. Gelcoat condition, other than cracks, shouldn't be a problem with a good painter doing the work. But it won't be cheap.
Thanks for the input. I've been told that gelcoat is pretty thick and it would take a lot of sanding with ultra fine paper to go through it. I'll go easy. After wet sanding, I thought of using a low speed buffer with wool pad to use with the polishing compound. I think it would be more effective and less work than doing it by hand. right?
Today I gave it a try. I worked on the rear deck and motor cover using 1000, 1500, then 2000 wet paper. After that I used a low speed buffer with super duty compound and was amazed at the results! I haven't even gone to the fine polish yet and the color and shine is remarkably restored. I can't wait to see it after the polish and wax. The worse part is I worked several hours and only got this small area done. This is going to be a long, hard job. If the rest turns out like this.......it'll be worth it.