by Rick McDuffie » Sun May 01, 2005 10:32 pm
Hi Frank,
I have a '73 DSII, and when I got it the gelcoat had that dead, chalky appearance- yellowed and stained. If yours is like that, you've got to get the dead gelcoat off before it'll shine. I wetsanded with 600 grit sandpaper, then moved to 1000, 1500 and finally 2000 (rinsing and scrubbing completely between the different papers). I still haven't waxed it, because it's white again and shines brilliantly! It was well worth the effort to have a restored gelcoat. I recommend it.
I'm getting ready to do the same thing to our other DSII now... it's a basket case (red hull, and much worse than the white boat was). It'll look like new when I'm finished.
Those sandpapers are available from auto paint shops.
Rick