Step 01
Inspect & test patch
Classic gelcoat is thinner than modern hulls. Light test patch first to confirm which compound level the surface could take without going through.
The work
TollyCrafts are Pacific Northwest classics, many of the ones we see around here are 30+ years old with original gelcoat that's been through every kind of Inland Northwest weather. This one came in with the typical signs: surface haze across the hull, gloss that had flattened, and a couple decades of waterline staining. A multi-stage buff and polish brought it back without touching the original character.
Classic gelcoat is thinner than modern hulls. Light test patch first to confirm which compound level the surface could take without going through.
Full exterior wash plus targeted attention to the waterline staining. Decades of mineral deposits need more than a quick rinse before compound.
Medium-cut compound followed by a refining polish on a foam pad. Cleared the surface haze without thinning the gelcoat. Classic boats need a softer touch than modern ones.
Marine carnauba-polymer blend. Hand-applied across every surface. The point where a 30-year-old hull starts to read as cared-for again.
Gloss restored across the hull. Decals preserved. The original color depth back without the kind of cut that would have taken the gelcoat too thin to seal.
Classic TollyCrafts deserve a 2-step, not a 3-step. Going aggressive on thin original gelcoat is how you cost an owner a re-spray.
Classic gelcoat is thinner and more sensitive than modern hulls. Most older boats benefit from a 2-step, not a 3-step. We'll look at photos and tell you what level of cut your hull can take without overstepping.