Flake gelcoat ghosting (discoloration)

[BlindSquirrel]

7 hours ago, NickD said:

 

I'd love to post pictures but I cant seem to find the function on the forum. 

 

To post a picture, you can become a supporting member or use a third party site and paste the url. Flickr is the one I use. 

[justgary]

7 hours ago, NickD said:

All I see is "Insert image from URL".

Upload your image to an image hosting site, then copy their URL and insert it using that control.  I have been using Imgur lately, and the catch is that you upload the image, wait for it to complete, then click the "copy link" button.  When you paste that link here, you have to add ".jpg" to the link.  Other sites may have their own quirks.

An alternative is to become a paying member here and you get the ability to upload photos directly.

[NickD]

Thanks Guys.

Here are 2 pics:

https://imgur.com/a/a4pxH2Q

 

 

[justgary]

Insert them one at a time....

Some of that issue may be fading and oxidation of the gelcoat above the water line.  You may be facing a double-whammy here.  Try wet sanding/buffing a small area to see if the upper area changes.

[TwoMargaritasPlease]

I have the same issue but I don't consider it a problem, just the cost of having fun.

 

Buffing will not fix it and it will not go away. The damage is in the metalflake, not the gelcoat surface. I doubt if water is actually penetrating the gelcoat and reaching the metal. I just assumed it is sun fading magnified by the water, as it is less pronounced dockside, which has a little more protection from the sun. So I question the effectiveness of a clear film. But I do wonder if a UV protectant wax might have some effect.

I just act like it's supposed to be that way. You don't see it when the boat's in the water!

[NickD]

@justgary Thanks for the help, man. 

 

@TwoMargaritasPlease Thanks for posting. How many seasons in the water is that? How long?

What about it actually being the opposite? Meaning the top side fading in the sun whilst the bottom stays original thanks to the water protection? Just brainstorming...

But I agree, it's not really an issue as it's invisible when in water. I might still drop a waterline stripe before next season, just for esthetics...

[TwoMargaritasPlease]

10 hours ago, NickD said:

@justgary Thanks for the help, man. 

 

@TwoMargaritasPlease Thanks for posting. How many seasons in the water is that? How long?

What about it actually being the opposite? Meaning the top side fading in the sun whilst the bottom stays original thanks to the water protection? Just brainstorming...

But I agree, it's not really an issue as it's invisible when in water. I might still drop a waterline stripe before next season, just for esthetics...

3 seasons, average 4 months per.

You could test your theory with a sticker. Peel it off at the end of the season and see where the greatest fading has occurred. But the top of your boat is still sparkling, the bottom is not. Adverse effects from sun fading will never bring an improvement.