The Starting Condition
This 42ft center console hadn't had a proper machine compound in over three seasons. The gelcoat had gone fully chalky across the hull sides and hard top, with visible oxidation penetrating deep enough that a standard wax application wouldn't have touched it.
The Process
We started with a full decontamination wash and clay bar treatment to strip years of bonded salt and fallout. From there:
• Heavy wet-sand on the worst-affected panels to level severe oxidation
• Aggressive 2-step machine compound to cut through the oxidized layer
• Refinement polish pass to bring back clarity and depth of gloss
• Ceramic sealant applied to lock in the finish and simplify future upkeep
"The owner was ready to get quotes on a full repaint. Two days of correction work saved him from a five-figure repaint bill."
The Result
The finished hull came back with a depth of gloss the owner said he hadn't seen since the boat was new. He's since moved to a quarterly ceramic maintenance plan to keep it from ever reaching that condition again.
💡 Related Guide
Curious what oxidation looks like in its early stages, before it gets this bad? See our guide: How to Spot Early-Stage Oxidation Before It Spreads →
