TOPIC: Gelcoat help on my '60 Clipper!

I've finally gotten the inside to the point of putting it back together but now it's time for the hull.

Here are a few pics.



These are after I have scrubbed the whole boat with Comet and a scotch brite pad, used some Attwood hull cleaner and wet sanded the first (upper) strake with 400 grit.

Here's my question- How do I get the whole hull to look like what was under the registration numbers? Can I even get there?

You can see it's shining up nicely but it's really dingy looking still. It was never a bright white. I think it was always an off white, by what was under the numbers, I guess to blend better with the Mahogany.

I'd rather not have to paint her. The wife also would like it in the water by the end of the month! Ouch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

bob i have never used sandpaper besides 1500 or 2000 grit,and wetsand,then use a buffer with a light or medium rubbing compuond,i think 400 grit is too heavy.by the way try a product called "purple power"1st,it takes all grime off the boat,but becarful and rinse repeatedly,also wear water proof gloves,that stuff if you use it straight for any leangth of time will take your skin off,lol,i know from experiance,cleaning my camper with it.

I should probably mention that the gelcoat is pretty oxidized. It comes off chalky on my fingers. Just lightly but it does come off.

Here's my question- How do I get the whole hull to look like what was under the registration numbers? Can I even get there?

Bob, it looks to me like you're on the right track. I think John is generally right about the grit to use, but I don't see any sanding marks in what you have done so far, so ??? (Maybe would make for a little less polishing/buffing if you stepped up to 1000.)

The area under the reg. numbers has been protected from the sunlight (uv rays) all these years, you may never get it completely back to that. You can get it pretty darn close though.....It probably WAS a light sand / off white to start with. Keep up the good work, and get ready for some bigger arm muscles! LOL