Restoring six engine shroud Options

[sixaddict]

Is there anything that can be done (short of painting) to enhance appearance of black fiberglass shroud.
Thanks

[BillJ]

The original fiberglass was done via colored gelcoat so yes generally painting is the only easily achieved treatment. Many here have tackled cracking and gouges using normal.fiberglass repair techniques followed by paint. I suppose you could try things like back to black or aerospace 505 but those are generally for rubber and vinyl. Wouldnt want to use it really on your shroud.

Others may have better suggestions. Show us what you are dealing with?

[BillJ]

Just did a little search. Looks like a number of products to restore boat hulls and such are out there. Maybe try one of those products? Looks like a combo.of a polish with machine buffers then waxing?

[sixaddict]

Did not attach any pics as it would be hard to see what are minor imperfections….and just generally “old” look.
Trying to bring it up to level equivalent to restored carbs etc of rebuilt /restored engine.
Boat stuff not a bad approach.
Thanks

[r_towle]

boat stuff....there is some cool chemicals out there.

[mb911]

I did mine but wet sanding with 600 grit then a semi gloss clear. Turned out amazing

[r_towle]

If you ever have seen someone take an old neglected boat and do a simple wet sand, cut and buff….that it what you need.
Also, don’t be afraid of deep sanding and rattle can paint.
Modern rattle can paint from an auto body paint store is really quite good.

Don’t cheap out on the single can of paint you may need.

[mb911]

If you ever have seen someone take an old neglected boat and do a simple wet sand, cut and buff….that it what you need.
Also, don’t be afraid of deep sanding and rattle can paint.
Modern rattle can paint from an auto body paint store is really quite good.

Don’t cheap out on the single can of paint you may need.

I would highly recommend against actual color from rattle can. That is why I buffed and then rattle can clear only. Color rattle can will scratch from assembling and look like crap quickly. Here is the wet sand and buff images

[mlindner]

The early shroud I purchased for my 2.2 S had lots of problems. Buying a little fiber glass kit to fix cracked areas worked good. But what did the best for all the broken out bolt holes is epoxy glued in washers. Then I did pour gel-coat over sanded shroud and final paint. Best, Mark

[brant]

Try a product called
Meguires ultimate compound

It’s done wonders on everything I’ve used it on

[porschetub]

If you ever have seen someone take an old neglected boat and do a simple wet sand, cut and buff….that it what you need.
Also, don’t be afraid of deep sanding and rattle can paint.
Modern rattle can paint from an auto body paint store is really quite good.

Don’t cheap out on the single can of paint you may need.

Once the gelcoat has pretty much gone on these there is no going back,there was a reply on here relevent to this mentioning that the guy used gelcoat from a boatbuilder and brushed it on to a nice self leveling finish that can be sanded and polished.
Reason for sand and polish it has a high styrene wax content so after it is cured it will have a cloudy finish.
Secret be told it is a gloss resin with a heap of colour pigment in it as surfboard guys have been using for many decades.
Mine was done 5yrs ago with a spray can and still good ,cheers.

[sixaddict]

Some good ideas… Thanks