How to remove heavy oxidation from your boats gelcoat by wet sanding and buffing. Follow the steps in the video to Make your gelcoat look like new again.
Man I know this is a older video but I just found it a few weeks ago. I bought a 89 ranger bass boat that was bad off did the same thing you did and what a definite change. My friends have asked me who painted it lol it had sat in a old 15 years it’s hard to beat them old rangers. It had a 150 black max on it that runs like a top after I change all the oils , water pump . Man thank you for this video it helped me so much and saved me a ton of money 👍
Man, I just came across this as I was searching bc my wake boats front clip is oxidized to hell. I’m going to try this out today on Labor Day. This videos awesome, thanks!! Other vids don’t go into sanding detail like this. Can’t wait.
finally a video on how to repair the gel coating on the top side of a boat, so tired of the people who show the repair by doing the side of a boat, the least affected area.
@@outdoormaniacs9435 next time, consider trying another tack, only a suggestion: th-cam.com/video/M7m3-6FdPaA/w-d-xo.html Admittedly, harder to do one-handed. Not impossible but tough. Not hating one bit, just a different way.
So I clicked on your video for gel coat repair, and not only was it an excellent tutorial, but I’ve got the same boat! Only difference, mine is red. Thanks
Got my eye on a 93 ranger good shape floor wise and transom but the gel coat is faded pretty good but it’s fixable im probably gonna buy it and I will definitely use this method.
Dang I hope my boat shines like that afterwards. My grandpa gave me his old boat. I grew up on that boat. He’s getting to old to go out there. I wanna take him out at least one more time. If I can get one more fishing trip out of him I’ll die happy.
I can’t thank you enough for the excellent video. My 1990 Fish n Ski was destroyed from raccoons. The marina had it 4.5 years and must have left it out in the yard. They finally fixed the seats etc and look new but the gelcoat is awful. It’s heavily oxidized. It feels so ruff so I thought it was the glitter that I was feeling so assumed all the clear coat is gone. I will try to follow your lead and hope I can get the outcome you achieved! Great job sir!
@@outdoormaniacs9435 It seems like that gel coat was also rough. Did it feel like you were rubbing the glitter (very rough and bumpy) before you sanded it? I start high number sand paper and work my way down to see what I need. I assume too course is a problem. Thanks again!
It was very rough and bumpy when I would rub my hand over it, and yes I would do a test spot and start with lighter grit paper and work your way down till you find the best grit to cut the oxidation.
This is the best oxidation removal video that I have seen, specifically dealing with bass boats. I have slight oxidation on my 2001 Ranger DVX 520. I have used just compound and a coat of wax to remove it, but it seems to come back fairly quickly. I’m not sure whether I should wet sand it with a 1000, 1,500, or 2000 grit, then compound and wax, or just continue to compound it until I get deeper into the finish, then wax, but at least you have provided me with options that I can try. Thank you so much for producing this. I was even considering taking it to a shop to have more gelcoat applied to the surface, but I’ll continue to try to work on it myself after viewing your video.👍.
You guys have got to seal the gel coat after this process or it’ll oxidize relatively quickly no matter what.. proper sealer and it’ll stay shiny for years and years! No sealer and each time you sand it the gel coat gets thinner and weaker till it starts to flake from getting brittle.. can’t stress the sealer enough
So cool! I have searched and searched but there is no alternative to elbow grease! I love my boat and would probably sleep in it haha. I will be going the same route! Thanks (82 Glastron hpv-155)
Great video. I have a 2000 procraft 210 super pro dc that I am gonna give that a shot. It’s not real bad but after 22 years on the water it could use a little polish and love
Great job. What pads did you use and are they from Harbor Freight as well? If you would not mind listing all items used that would be great. Thank you.
When do you decide to move up with the sandpaper after you’ve been sanding a while. I have a couple spots on my boat that due to neglect, I decided to go down to 400. I looked at that area today and can’t decide if I should continue a little more with 400 or should I go ahead and move up.
So I have a 1990 Ranger 375V Apache, with heavy oxidation. So I get the Wet sand intervals, those look great, which I will do. Is the compound the stuff for oxidation, like you can buy from Amazon? (EX: Meguiar's M6732 Marine/RV One Step Compound, 32 oz) Then why didn't you polish, then wax like many places recommend?
Thanks for the video. This gives me some hope for my boat. I have a 99 Stratos 21 SS Extreme, my toprail looks and sounds the same as yours. and is rough in some places. I thought it was the flake coming through the gelcoat. Seems like I may be mistaken. If mine looks and sounds like yours do you think starting with 400 would be best or maybe go with the 800 first?
@@outdoormaniacs9435 I went through this process this weekend. Started with the 400 and worked up to 2000. Did the compound and wax with the buffer. I have to say I'm amazed with the results. Exactly as you described. It looks amazing again. Thank you!!
@@71syoung and you didn’t add any clear? You just finished with the polishing/buffing part? I hear many stories of people polishing/buffing, and then like a month later the oxidation comes back.
I've got one that needs this! I think previous owner was a "wipe it down she transmission fluid" guy to make it look new. It has a dirty film on it. Should I try to remove it first then start sanding? Or jump in to sanding?
If it’s a oily film I would probably try to remove the film first if not it will probably clog your sand paper up and you will have to use a lot more paper. If it’s a dry film you would probably be fine just jumping straight in with sanding.
You didn't have any issues with it taking the color coat off the metal flake? I have a project that I picked up and unfortunately just starting with 800 grit took all the color off the metal flake and reduced it to the base silver flake. Perhaps my clear coat is just gone and that's why it happened. It's a project boat I picked up that had been sitting in a hay barn for about 15 years.
Did you find that the Harbor Freight Buffer had enough power, ? I was concerned about not using a brand name one. Also did it have variable speeds on it?
I used a 3m eraser wheel, but you can definitely leave them on and sand around them but you might want to tape them up just in case you was to hit them with sand paper it want scratch them.
You do not want compound on any rubber such as that bumper or that trolling motor. And if the buffer is bouncing, your speed is too low or you are going against the pad.
That's crazy. I have a similar year procraft. Did yours look or feel like the clear coat was gone? That's how mine is, I was thinking I was going to have to add new gel coat but this might just bring it back.
Thanks man! It was mainly oxidized but there was some into the metal flake as well but wasn’t really a big deal because it was silver metal flake . Just be careful if yours is into the metal flake and it’s a colored metal flake because if you sand a color metal flake it will sand the color off and make the metal flake silver.
Outdoor Maniacs thanks for the fast reply I bought a 1994 Gambler yesterday the bottom half looks perfect but the top half is just aweful it’s sad they let it sit out in the sun like that
I wish I could show a picture on here because I screenshotted it LOL because I tried to look up the product for a review and found your video and recognized your boat and their video LOL
There are some many things done wrong in this video its too much to type. I can show you better if I bring my boat to you and have you do mine thin I can tell you everything you did wrong. Just trying to help you out!
I just got my husband a boat and will be restoring it while he is at work the next 2 weeks. This video definitely makes me feel like I got this!!!
Awesome glad it helped you out some
Your one hell of a wife. Good luck
How did it turn out ?
You're awesome
Hey you happen to have a sister by any chance??? Naw just playing that awesome!!! He is definitely going to love that surprise!!
Dude this is an excellent video. Very clear, to the point and no playing around.
No Self entertaining.
Thanks man really appreciate it
Best gelcoat restore video i have seen on youtube, thanks a million.
Thanks really appreciate it
Man I know this is a older video but I just found it a few weeks ago. I bought a 89 ranger bass boat that was bad off did the same thing you did and what a definite change. My friends have asked me who painted it lol it had sat in a old 15 years it’s hard to beat them old rangers. It had a 150 black max on it that runs like a top after I change all the oils , water pump . Man thank you for this video it helped me so much and saved me a ton of money 👍
Awesome glad it helped you out!
Very helpful video. I have a boat in very similar condition and thought I would have to regel it until I found this.
Man, I just came across this as I was searching bc my wake boats front clip is oxidized to hell. I’m going to try this out today on Labor Day. This videos awesome, thanks!! Other vids don’t go into sanding detail like this. Can’t wait.
Awesome glad it helped you out!
finally a video on how to repair the gel coating on the top side of a boat, so tired of the people who show the repair by doing the side of a boat, the least affected area.
Thanks for the video. You and a few others have soured me to do my boat.
That’s awesome
I appreciate the single-handed effort that went into this. Not easy.
Thanks man
@@outdoormaniacs9435 next time, consider trying another tack, only a suggestion:
th-cam.com/video/M7m3-6FdPaA/w-d-xo.html
Admittedly, harder to do one-handed. Not impossible but tough.
Not hating one bit, just a different way.
So I clicked on your video for gel coat repair, and not only was it an excellent tutorial, but I’ve got the same boat! Only difference, mine is red. Thanks
That’s awesome glad you like the video
Thanks for this video. I’m getting ready to buy a 99’ skeeter 202c and will be needing to do this.
Just bought a skeeter similar in color can’t wait to try this man!
Great video. Brought my Ranger back to new condition. Thanks!
Thanks and awesome glad it helped you out
Very simple and effective. This is the method I’m going to use. Good video.
Thanks and good luck!!
Did the exact boat a couple months ago they come back looking nice.!
Awesome
Good work I bought a bass boat and was wondering how this would work to bring it back to life. Thanks for the video!
You’re welcome, hopefully it works out great for you too!
Got my eye on a 93 ranger good shape floor wise and transom but the gel coat is faded pretty good but it’s fixable im probably gonna buy it and I will definitely use this method.
This was excellent. Just what i needed. Thanks.
Awesome glad you liked it
Awesome job and excellent video!! Thanks for sharing!!..
Thanks man!!
Dang I hope my boat shines like that afterwards. My grandpa gave me his old boat. I grew up on that boat. He’s getting to old to go out there. I wanna take him out at least one more time. If I can get one more fishing trip out of him
I’ll die happy.
Good luck man hopefully it shines like new when you get done! Definitely man take your grandpa fishing as much as you can while you can.
I was worried when you started at 400 but the outcome was awesome.
Thanks if the oxidation isn’t has heavy as it was on this boat you can start with a higher grit paper
I can’t thank you enough for the excellent video. My 1990 Fish n Ski was destroyed from raccoons. The marina had it 4.5 years and must have left it out in the yard. They finally fixed the seats etc and look new but the gelcoat is awful. It’s heavily oxidized. It feels so ruff so I thought it was the glitter that I was feeling so assumed all the clear coat is gone. I will try to follow your lead and hope I can get the outcome you achieved! Great job sir!
Thanks hope you are able to get it looking new again
@@outdoormaniacs9435 It seems like that gel coat was also rough. Did it feel like you were rubbing the glitter (very rough and bumpy) before you sanded it? I start high number sand paper and work my way down to see what I need. I assume too course is a problem. Thanks again!
It was very rough and bumpy when I would rub my hand over it, and yes I would do a test spot and start with lighter grit paper and work your way down till you find the best grit to cut the oxidation.
@@outdoormaniacs9435 thank you sir!
Good work easy to watch. No one yelling at me
This is the best oxidation removal video that I have seen, specifically dealing with bass boats. I have slight oxidation on my 2001 Ranger DVX 520. I have used just compound and a coat of wax to remove it, but it seems to come back fairly quickly. I’m not sure whether I should wet sand it with a 1000, 1,500, or 2000 grit, then compound and wax, or just continue to compound it until I get deeper into the finish, then wax, but at least you have provided me with options that I can try. Thank you so much for producing this. I was even considering taking it to a shop to have more gelcoat applied to the surface, but I’ll continue to try to work on it myself after viewing your video.👍.
Thanks man, I would probably try water sanding it with 2000 then compound and wax and see if that don’t take care of it
You guys have got to seal the gel coat after this process or it’ll oxidize relatively quickly no matter what.. proper sealer and it’ll stay shiny for years and years!
No sealer and each time you sand it the gel coat gets thinner and weaker till it starts to flake from getting brittle.. can’t stress the sealer enough
@@claythelin4346 Thanks Clay. I realize you are correct. I will seal it to prevent oxidation.
clay thelin what sealer do you recommend to use on it?
Yes excellent and I hope you did the whole boat including hull.. Buffing the boat to new looking....
Thanks and yes I did buff the entire boat
So cool! I have searched and searched but there is no alternative to elbow grease! I love my boat and would probably sleep in it haha. I will be going the same route! Thanks (82 Glastron hpv-155)
Awesome, glad it helped you out some!!
Great video. I have a 2000 procraft 210 super pro dc that I am gonna give that a shot. It’s not real bad but after 22 years on the water it could use a little polish and love
Thanks
Dat boat look good! Dat’s a nice boat!
Thanks man
Great video thank you
Question: How long did you spend sanding with it grit? The video was sped up to get through it, but how long was each sanding interval?
Great job. I have the same kind of issue going on right now (gel coat has pitting).
Thanks man!! Hopefully the video helps you out some!
@@outdoormaniacs9435 it's incredibly difficult to find videos dealing with pitting.
What speed did you start your buffer on when you did the compound?
Once you get all the sanding and buffing done should you spray on some clear coat before you put on any wax ?
Great job. What pads did you use and are they from Harbor Freight as well? If you would not mind listing all items used that would be great. Thank you.
Cool video
Very cool!
Thanks!!
When do you decide to move up with the sandpaper after you’ve been sanding a while. I have a couple spots on my boat that due to neglect, I decided to go down to 400. I looked at that area today and can’t decide if I should continue a little more with 400 or should I go ahead and move up.
When the sand paper starts feeling like it is just gliding and not cutting is when I usually move to the next grit paper
Teach me I’m restoring an 85 ranger 330v. There is so little information about this out there.
Awesome video! Boat looks great! I had my boat recleared about 8yrs ago. The clear is flaking off now. Do you think this would work on my boat too?
It might work on it, I would do a small test spot on it first.
my 282 is very scratched by the trunks
Good video man. One suggestion is turn down you music in the high speed sections... folks watching with headphones are not usually fond of it.
Thanks man, will do on the music
Definitely keep it covered it will help with all the oxidation, and use micro fiber clothes not paper towels..but good video man
Thanks man I will definitely give it a try
Is the 3m 1200 cut compound the 03900 or 39002 product number? Thanks-great step by step tutorial!!
Yeah it’s the 1200 cut 39002
Thank you.
You’re welcome
So I have a 1990 Ranger 375V Apache, with heavy oxidation. So I get the Wet sand intervals, those look great, which I will do. Is the compound the stuff for oxidation, like you can buy from Amazon? (EX: Meguiar's M6732 Marine/RV One Step Compound, 32 oz) Then why didn't you polish, then wax like many places recommend?
The compound is the same thing as polish. The compound removes the fine sanding scratch’s
Thanks for the video. This gives me some hope for my boat. I have a 99 Stratos 21 SS Extreme, my toprail looks and sounds the same as yours. and is rough in some places. I thought it was the flake coming through the gelcoat. Seems like I may be mistaken. If mine looks and sounds like yours do you think starting with 400 would be best or maybe go with the 800 first?
You could do a test spot and try 800 to see if it will cut the oxidation if not then you could move down to 400
@@outdoormaniacs9435 I went through this process this weekend. Started with the 400 and worked up to 2000. Did the compound and wax with the buffer. I have to say I'm amazed with the results. Exactly as you described. It looks amazing again. Thank you!!
@@71syoung how is your toprail now?
@@ghosthunter152 it came out amazing. Looked incredible for a 21 yr old boat
@@71syoung and you didn’t add any clear? You just finished with the polishing/buffing part? I hear many stories of people polishing/buffing, and then like a month later the oxidation comes back.
I've got one that needs this! I think previous owner was a "wipe it down she transmission fluid" guy to make it look new. It has a dirty film on it. Should I try to remove it first then start sanding? Or jump in to sanding?
*wipe it down
If it’s a oily film I would probably try to remove the film first if not it will probably clog your sand paper up and you will have to use a lot more paper. If it’s a dry film you would probably be fine just jumping straight in with sanding.
You didn't have any issues with it taking the color coat off the metal flake? I have a project that I picked up and unfortunately just starting with 800 grit took all the color off the metal flake and reduced it to the base silver flake. Perhaps my clear coat is just gone and that's why it happened. It's a project boat I picked up that had been sitting in a hay barn for about 15 years.
No I didn’t have any issues with it removing any color from the metal flake
If you're removing color from the glitter, that means you don't have any gel coat left.
Did you find that the Harbor Freight Buffer had enough power, ? I was concerned about not using a brand name one. Also did it have variable speeds on it?
Yeah it has plenty of power and it was variable speed
@@outdoormaniacs9435 thanks for the quick response, also great video BTW. Mine is very bad oxidation. What model was it from HF.
It’s the Chicago electric 7” 10amp digital variable speed
Wow 👏 nice job!! How long did the shine last?
Thanks man, the shine will last right on as long as you keep it waxed regularly.
Mine looks like that but its all below where you are doing yours... Can this work all over the boat?
Yes it will work on any part of the boat that has gelcoat
Should be using a sanding block,way better results,using only your hand can result in some areas be sanding more than others
Thanks for the tip definitely give it a try next time
I wonder how it would look when wet sanded with the rotary tool with a sanding pad and paper. Hmmm.
I’d say it would look really good, Just have to be careful and not sand to deep
What sand paper did you use? Aluminum carbide, silicon carbide, or ceramic? Does it even matter?
Doesn’t really matter as long as you have the right grit paper
So the fiberglass does not get all scratched up from the sandpaper?
All the scratches get sanded out as you use the finer grit sand paper and then the buffing takes all the scratches out
Outdoor Maniacs awesome thank you!
You are welcome
How did you remove your decals? Mine are in good shape, so I wonder if I could leave them on and sand around them?
I used a 3m eraser wheel, but you can definitely leave them on and sand around them but you might want to tape them up just in case you was to hit them with sand paper it want scratch them.
@@outdoormaniacs9435 Thanks! You certainly did a great job. I'll be happy if I do half as good a job on mine.
Thanks man and hopefully yours turns out just as good or better!!!
You do not want compound on any rubber such as that bumper or that trolling motor. And if the buffer is bouncing, your speed is too low or you are going against the pad.
That's crazy. I have a similar year procraft. Did yours look or feel like the clear coat was gone? That's how mine is, I was thinking I was going to have to add new gel coat but this might just bring it back.
Yeah it will look like the clear is gone and be super rough feeling to the touch
for you which is better, the chemical guys or meguiars, which one do you recommend the most, thanks
They are both good but I do like chemical guys products a little better
@@outdoormaniacs9435 perfect, then i will buy chemical, thanks compadre.
Your welcome
What is the product you are using.
3m 1200 cut compound and chemical guys wax
Do you find it helps to soak the paper before using? I noticed you didn't seem to bother. If I don't have to waste my time soaking it I won't!
I really can’t tell much difference in soaking it versus not for myself
Good instruction! I was wondering if your boat was mainly heavily oxidized. Or, if you also had lost a lot of metal flakes?
Thanks man! It was mainly oxidized but there was some into the metal flake as well but wasn’t really a big deal because it was silver metal flake . Just be careful if yours is into the metal flake and it’s a colored metal flake because if you sand a color metal flake it will sand the color off and make the metal flake silver.
When I run my hand over my boat it feels like I can feel the glitter. Is that oxidation or is the clear coat gone? Thank You Bruce
Oxidation will feel really rough like glitter the best way to tell is to do a very small test spot in a non-noticeable area
Outdoor Maniacs thanks for the fast reply I bought a 1994 Gambler yesterday the bottom half looks perfect but the top half is just aweful it’s sad they let it sit out in the sun like that
I feel you, the sun is rough on gelcoat
@@brucetinsley2747 how did it come out?
@@ghosthunter152 it turned out really well. Wish I could post some pictures
What is that wax?
Chemical guys butter wet wax
I would love to see a step by step tutorial without the sped up video thingy
How long did it take you to do both sides sir?
Around 8 hours to do the whole boat
Thanks for the video! It was very informative!
Thanks for your great video.
This looks to me that it completely removed all traces of your old numbers.
Or am I mistaken?
Thanks man, it does completely remove all traces of the old numbers
Problem is this last without a new gel coat.
The gel coat is still there it just take the oxidation off
How long did it take to do the entire boat?
It can be done in a day I split it up and did half the boat at a time, it took 5-6 hours to do half.
Outdoor Maniacs including the hull?
I just saw an ad on Facebook and they use your video to act like their product took off all the oxidation on your boat lol
I wish I could show a picture on here because I screenshotted it LOL because I tried to look up the product for a review and found your video and recognized your boat and their video LOL
Lol oh really what was the name of the company?
Everything looks good except for the dang red
There are some many things done wrong in this video its too much to type. I can show you better if I bring my boat to you and have you do mine thin I can tell you everything you did wrong. Just trying to help you out!
Just wipe it down with some 30 weight motor oil...