How to Remove Oxidation from Gelcoat: MBG’s Proven 6-Step Method (LAMICS™)
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11
Whether you’re a DIYer or hiring pros, oxidation is the enemy. Here’s how we handle it:
How does LAMICS™ Remove Oxidation From Gelcoat?
LAMICS™ stands for Layered Approach Marine Intensive Care System. It’s not a level of service—it’s a philosophy. It’s the way MBG sees boats. It’s the intensive mindset we bring to restoration. Each vessel tells us what it needs, and our approach is layered—products, pad combinations, sanding techniques, and tool selection. LAMICS™ is a living system guided by real-time assessment, surface feedback, and craftsmanship. It’s culture. It’s process. It’s how we restore life to gelcoat.
Step-by-Step Process to Remove Oxidation from Gelcoat
From inspection to polishing—what every boat owner should know
Layered Correction Process (Overview)
Oxidation Evaluation: Inspection with gloss meters, UV wear assessment, surface feel.
Test Patch: Lock in your process in a small section, go through each sanding and compounding stage until you get the desired result.
Sanding Stages: Dry sanding, wet sanding, or spot sanding depending on depth of oxidation.
Compounding & Polishing: Multiple machine stages—aggressive cut to fine finish—with tailored pads and products.
Protection Layering: Marine wax, sealants, or ceramic coatings applied based on owner needs and gelcoat condition.
Detail Pass: Lift hatches, clean gutter tracks, polish hardware—every inch matters.
The Trained Eye Behind LAMICS™
At MBG, we don’t just look at your boat—we read it. Oxidation tells a story. Shadowing in the gelcoat, halo trails, sanding distortion, and sunburnt flake all show up differently under a trained eye. If you can’t see it, you can’t fix it. And if you don’t know how to approach it, you risk making it worse. LAMICS™ is rooted in that vision—the ability to truly see what others miss, and to intervene with precision, not guesswork. That’s what separates us from basic detailers. That’s what brings your boat back to life.
It's really all about experience. We can tell you the exact tools and products we use to remove the oxidation from gelcoat. You won't get the results we deliver because you lack the experience. On the other hand, some people have methodologies that work for them. For example, I know a detailer who runs his buffer at full speed! I know. I freaked out the first time I saw him do it, but he explained his method to me and showed it to me. I still don't recommend running your buffer at full speed. I'm constantly reminded of something an old timer told me early in my career: "Once you get a system that works for you, don't change your system." One thing is for certain: we have developed a proven system that gets high-quality results every time. And if you do have a system, I promise you it isn't pre-packaged in a bottle on a shelf at the marine store.
Want to understand what really goes into restoring a gelcoat finish? Watch this short video where Parker (Around the Sound Fiberglass Repair) breaks down his process, tools, and mindset as he works on a severely oxidized Cobalt.
This isn’t just elbow grease—it’s analysis, chemistry, lighting, pad matching, and years of experience applied in real time. Most boat owners don’t realize that surface correction isn’t about “making it shiny.” It’s about understanding material science, light refraction, and wear patterns—and knowing how to bring a surface back from years of neglect.
Introducing BPS: Boat Protective Services
Some boats don’t belong to boaters. They belong to homeowners—people who inherited them with a waterfront property or a second home. And unfortunately, those boats often get neglected. BPS was designed for them. It’s not just a service tier—it’s an intervention strategy. A way to protect vessels from further neglect, stabilize their condition, and broker a relationship between owner and vessel. At MBG, we created BPS to serve as a structure for care, especially when the owner doesn’t see the damage that’s being done. It’s how we protect boats… from their owners.
Seattle-Based? Book Your Restoration
If you're in the Seattle, Bellevue, or Lake Washington area, we’d love to bring your vessel back to life.
Want to sell your boat faster? Keep it protected longer? Or finally give it the care it deserves?
Then it’s time for Boat Protective Services by Mobile Boat Guys.
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