Gelcoat oxidation, dull

[ProfessorM]

Need some insight in how to revive my boats exterior. the glass looks so dull. What do I do as polishing it isn't cutting it. Is this something I can do myself ? Is is something I am better off having someone with experienced do and how expensive do you think it is to have done, ballpark figure? Do people drive to your house and do this too?
I know you compound it and then polish it and so on but have never done it. Boat is a 2002 19' walkaround and has only been washed and polished so far. Thanks for any insight. Paul

[Slipknot]

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ghlight=polish

maguires polish

[Raider Ronnie]

Paul
3M 05954 super duty rubbing compound, a good high speed buffer, wool buffing pad.
Before you start, down a few Red Bulls & or a few power bars
after you are done, a hand full of aleve or similar pain killers.
If you want, work down to a finer grit compound and or eventually a polish, then a good wax.

[numbskull]

Paul, you don't want it shiny.......the flash might spook the fish......works for me.

[ProfessorM]

If it doesn't affect the boat I really don't care about how it looks, just look at my appearance. The problem with a fairly newish boat you want to try and keep it up. After it gets old I could care less. I am probably a few years away from giving a crap and look forward to that day.So I will be a slave to the looks for a few more years.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Prof
I was at the marina cleaning and waxing my boat and there was a guy using 3M products. It was a 3 step system and his boat looked incredible. I use the Simoniz Royale cleaner and wax in one. Works well and really easy to use. Good luck.

[Gary]

Im a big fan of Marykate Maxi Wax for smooth surfaces and Woody wax for the non skid areas. Compound and maxiwax brought back my 1980 Penyak

[fish4striper]

Paul,

Guy on shipshape used this I think. No elbow grease

http://www.poliglow-int.com/preparation.phtml

[big jay]

Paul - like was said before - the 3M marine compound and a power buffer works really well. Pretty simple, just apply the compound to a small area, and then buff it out before it dries.

As a matter of fact - I'm on my way to Dad's now, he's got the materials waiting for me. Bringing my Advil.

[InTheHole]

I use a 3M product called Perfectit III, a hi speed buffer with a wool pad. Hull looks like new when done. A lot of work and you'll feel like your arms are made of rubber when you are done.

[MakoMike]

Come down and meet me at the boat next weekend and I'll give you a free lesson. Seriously, compound, compound and more compound. Buffer shoud NOT be high speed, you don't want any more than about 1,000 RPMs. Finish it off with Collonite #925 wax and it will look like brand new.

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by fish4striper

Paul,

Guy on shipshape used this I think. No elbow grease

http://www.poliglow-int.com/preparation.phtml

That is like putting a varnish over the hull. I looked into that for a project boat last year. I think the compound route should be exhausted before you get into that.

[ProfessorM]

What about those random orbital buffers they sell at like West Marine for like 35 bucks, worth it or should I take the grinder , sander from work and buy the buffing attachment for it. The only thing is it weighs a ton. These ones or are they not worth a piss hole in the snow and more for polishing not getting rid of dull oxidation.?
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...4&classNum=816

[Slipknot]

don't waste your money on the cheap ones Paul

[MTC]

3M MARINE COLOR/GLOSS RESTORER Black 3M Buffing pad at 2200 rpms

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

don't waste your money on the cheap ones Paul

Agreed. It takes a random orbit with REAL power to have any real corrective effect. And even then you'll be moving very slowly, an inch every few seconds at the fastest and needing multiple passes. Depending on what you are trying to correct it may be enough. In my opinion they are better used for pre-wax cleaners and applying waxes.

Rotary (aka circular or high speed) is much more effective, faster, and far less tiring to use. Gel-coat is pretty tough compared to say car paint but you can do damage if you let it while with a random orbit it's almost impossible. But that ability to cut is it's magic.

[MakoMike]

Get yourself a Makita variable speed sander polisher and set it at about 1,000 - 1200 RPMs. They will last for years and do the job. Don't use a grinder, they spin too fast and will "burn" the gelcoat.