A bit dull

[c11yll]

Anyone got any ideas on how to make my boat shine?<br />It's a few years old and the fibreglass is looking a bit sad.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: A bit dull

I'm in the same boat (bad pun) and I've gotten good results using rubbing compound from Wallyworld. They also sell a polishing compound, but haven't tried it. This is in the auto section, not the boat section...boat products were too pricey for my. The RC was less than $3 and it brings back the luster, if there is any left. But you have to work small areas...too large and its hard to rub off. After I finish the boat with RC, I'm going to wash it again, let it dry and then wax and buff it with the small hand buffer I also got at Wallyworld.<br />I've got some brownish stains on the hull/transom that may never come off though. I'm going to try diluted bleach and/or some Restore that I've got laying around before I give up on them though. Oh yeah, work in the shade with the RC. It dries too quick even in indirect sunlight.<br />Hope this helps a little.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: A bit dull

3m fiberglass polish and wax about $8.99 a bottle works great and even better if you have an orbital polisher.<br /><br />Bob

 

[c11yll]

Re: A bit dull

Thanks a lot chaps, only one small problem though.......i'm on the other side of the world in sunny(or not so sunny!) Liverpool, England.<br />Can you recommend any websites which mail order the products you suggest??

 

[bmurray]

Re: A bit dull

I just bought and used the 3M restorer and sealer. WOW does this stuff work. I takes the oxidation off and really slicks it up. I got it from BPS. Good luck.

 

[crab bait]

Re: A bit dull

yes,, go on google.com ( hands down the best search engine ) type in west marine .com & boats us .com good luck ... 2 of usa's biggest..

 

[crab bait]

Re: A bit dull

p.s. bass pro shops . com

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: A bit dull

I would wipe the boat down 1st with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water - it's amazing what it does to the hard water stains....

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: A bit dull

Hey Cy,<br />I can now heartily endorse this process:<br />1.) good bath at the local car wash, foam brush then soap and rinse if available<br />2.) rub down and rub off with rubbing compound...do small areas at a time.<br />3.) rinse with damp sponge to get all the compound off and dry with towel<br />4.) apply good quality auto wax, I used Meguiars...about $4 for a tin that will last at least 2 years<br />5.) a good buff with a 6-inch palm sized electric buffer, using a terry cloth pad on the wheel<br />This really did the trick on my old Eddtide 16 ft. fiberglass runabout. Got the top half done. Now onto filling some chips on the hull and I can start on the bottom.<br />You can get all this stuff online. I think my final bill was less than $25 for all of it, plus I'm getting a good workout for the arms/shoulders.

 

[sony2001]

Re: A bit dull

May was cold and I put my time into restoration and repairs that would last a while, longer than most waxes. To get rid of the clouds in the blue gelcoat I wiped it down with medical mineral oil{clear} and above the hull a quick coat of NUFINISH for fiberglass {orange bottle} ontop of the oil. Babyoil is the same but less viscoss.

 

[jvolpe28]

Re: A bit dull

I just bought a fiberglass boat a 1972 mfg sprint, the boat was stored in a garage since the early 1980's . The gelcoat was had was very dull, the blue almost looked gray, i used "BOAT SCRUB" from boat us , and " mirroglaze 1 step Boat cleaner and wax " from west marine I used a buffer with the mirroglaze and I got a deep lusterous gelcoat, almost showroom condition I couldnt believe it. I also did the hull , but the real diffrence showed on the gelcoat, here is a picture page, look at picture # 1 and you will see what I mean, it's almost like a mirror , pic # 2 is before I polished it. you can see the diffrence http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=846372&uid=566175&members=1

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: A bit dull

Just one thought, I always remembered...use BOAT wax/polish/compounds on boats. Use the CAR stuff for cars. Remember on a boat your restoring gelcoat for the most part and on a car you restoring paint. 3M makes great products for both...there is a difference! It all has to do with the chemistry of each (gelcoat vs paint). 3M doesn't make both product lines for nothing. They also make a great spray wax for those little touch-ups.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: A bit dull

Not to be argumentative, but if you pick up a can of rubbing compound/wax for boats and the same for cars and compare ingredients side-by-side...nine times out of 10 they are the same, except the boat/marine product will cost 2 to 3 times more just cause its labeled for "boats." When they don't want you to know this, the boat label will list ingredients as "trade secret", blah, blah, blah. Don't mean to tell anyone what to buy or use...suit yourself, but there really is little difference except for the label, at least on most consumer-grade waxes/polishes. So says a relative of mine who works for one of these manufacturers in quality control.<br />It all shines up real nice.

 

[c11yll]

Re: A bit dull

It'll be a whole lot brighter now thanks to everyones advice. A couple of good websites there which will help me a great deal.<br />Txriver - i'll have to stop putting vinegar on my fish & chips and put it to better use!<br />Jvolpe - nice boat!<br />sony2001 - i'll save the babyoil for the girlfriend!!!!<br /><br />Cheers!

 

[sony2001]

Re: A bit dull

"Its good for external OR internal usage !"

 

[c11yll]

Re: A bit dull

What an amazing product, it'll sure make things go much smoother!