Restoring Melamine Panels

[Tcheairs]

The melamine panels surrounding my aft upper deck have become quite "chalky". They are an off white flat finish with royal blue horizontal paint stripes. The paint stripes are still in good shape.

I tried a little compound in one spot on the back side of a panel but it turned the surface slightly yellow. These panels have had nothing done to them (except washing) since 1986 and I was wondering if they could be coated with a sealant (rather than repainted) to keep the white stuff from coming of on everything that touches it. Melamine is irreplaceable and most folks who had them have replaced them with Sunbrella panels.

I like the original look of my 1986 Bluewater Coastal Cruiser as is..

Thanks..

 

[Comodave]

How much of is there? You might look at 1/4” Starboard. Won’t be cheap but no maintenance will be necessary. It will likely weigh more.

 

[kapnd]

Melamine is a vinyl coating, try cleaning it with a specific plastic cleaner and follow that up with some 303 protectant.