Tips for cleaning exterior.

[duramax07tmd]

I just bought a 1992 19' Bayliner Capri. I need to clean the hull and try to bring some shine back in she gelcoat. What steps do i need to take and what materials do i need to use to clean the boat and bring back some shine. The boat is in good shape for the age. The finnish is just oxidized a bit and i need to bring it back to life.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Trace

 

[Sinko]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

not sure about cleaning but I have used vaseline on my oxidized (coloured) sections and found it worked great. Learned about it in this forum. Rub on in warm weather, let sit for a few minutes and then lightly wipe off. Hides oxidation way longer then any polish or wax I've used.

 

[daveytheone]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

I used a product called Vertglas a couple of weeks ago on my '87 Crestliner runabout that I bought this spring, it was faded and oxidized real bad, and it turn out phenomenal!!! It restored the old colour and shined it up like it was just in the showroom. Easy to brush on and I did it all in an afternoon.

http://www.vertglas.com/index.html

I also looked at a product called Vivilon but it is $200 bucks a gallon.

http://www.vivilon.com/index.html

Depending on what you want to spend I guess. If you do go with the Vivilon, let me know how it is. I will try and take a pic and compare with some previous pics for a before and after and post them so you can see the difference.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

meguires sells a fibeglass restoration kit for around 40 bucks. That stuff posted above looks pretty neat, but i gotta wonder if its any more than glorified vaseline? i dunno. almost seems too easy to apply.

 

[beck4]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

i used 3M color and gloss restorer on my boat this year. you need a buffer to use the product. my boat looked almost pin when i started. now it is deep rich red and i think i could use the boat as a mirror. follow up with 3M gelcoat wax and ur done. gander mountain sells it for $19.00 a bottle. i have been told its the best stuff out there. as far as cleaning the hull, overtons has hull cleaner that works great. you could also use a pressure washer.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

Topical cures such as Vaseline are quick fixes, but the fact remains you have to get that oxidation out of there. Vaseline won't stop it, every wax in the world burns off in less than six months. You've got to bite the bullet and use a proper cutting compound and buffer to get the gel flat again. Then it's a religious process of annual buffing and biannual rewaxing to keep it that way. Those orbital buffers are ok for rewaxing a couple of times a year, but once it's chalked out or faded, it's time to break out the Milwaulkee and the wool pad and get that crap off of there. You can rent the 9" grinder at most home depots, you can get a cutting pad and proper compound at most auto body supply houses. A lot of work, but once it's flat, much easier to take care of.

 

[TarheelBoater]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

I recently had the same problem with my 97 bayliner. First wash the boat, then use 3M Marine Restorer and Wax with a buffer, apply a second coat if needed. My boat was oxidized bad as well i used this stuff with a buffer and it looks like new.
The bottom of the hull was also stainded, i used Muratic Acid only let it set for about 30 seconds though and it works wonders. Be careful and dont let it set too long it can eat into your hull. Be sure to put a coat or two of wax where you use the acid. If you would rather use something less risky use a hull cleaner, i used starbrite hull cleaner and it was alright but not great. Also, ive had some luck with a degreaser called B-52. Just remember to wax after applying.

 

[CaliCash]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

meguires sells a fibeglass restoration kit for around 40 bucks. That stuff posted above looks pretty neat, but i gotta wonder if its any more than glorified vaseline? i dunno. almost seems too easy to apply.

This is the stuff I used on my boat. When I got it last summer from my mom (it was my Dad's boat and he passed away in '03), it was sitting since 2000 and the color wasn't bright and very oxidized. I bought the kit and it brought out the color and the shine, just as if it were in the show room...and the boat is 21 years old! I'd recommend this kit to anyone. (I actually did, to a buddy to use on his motorhome)

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

I tried the vaseline trick on part of my boat last summer. I just put it on the forward starboard quarter of the hull. I only did that much, cuz' I wanted to be able to see if there was any difference. I think there was, just a bit. Did give it a bit of a shine. But, not so much that I rushed to do the rest, too. Then, I forgot about it.... until this spring. I started spring spruce up and when I got to the hull exterior I noticed the forward starboard quarter was covered with greasy dust and it wasn't until I remembered the vaseline test that I figured out why. So, if you trailer on some dusty roads like I do, you might want to reconsider vaseline.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

I could be wrong, but I thought you were supposed to apply the vaseline, let it sit for a while (overnight?), then wipe/clean it off. I don't think it should be on long enough to collect dirt/dust.

 

[duramax07tmd]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

Thanks for all of the reply's guy! I really appreciate it! Looks like i have my work cut out for me!

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

If the oxidation is really bad you can wet sand it with 800, then 1000, before you apply the 3M compound with a power buffer.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

Before you kill yourself trying to remove the Oxidation, just go to your local marine store and get one of the many boat oxidation remover polishes that they sell.
This is the first and cheapest thing to try first.

 

[commander315]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

get the 3m cleaner/wax compound from west marine.....great stuff

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

I did wipe it off after it was on for a few minutes. But, being basically jellied oil, it left a coating on the surface. I think the only way you could really get it all off would be to wipe it with some kind of solvent or wash with soap and water. However, that would seem like it might pull the little bit you wanted to soak in back out and negate the whole exercise. Though maybe a good wash with soap and water would work ok. Dunno.

 

[warlock73]

Re: Tips for cleaning exterior.

Forget the witch doctor stuff they sell. I just did this to my 82 Bayliner that has been idle in a field for years when I bought it:
$2.50 can of Bar Keepers Friend from local supermarket. Add to a small tub and add small amounts of water til a paste. Apply with a cotton buffer for drill attachment. Work the trouble areas generously. Wash off with rag and water, let dry and wipe with cotton dish towel. You may have to do a few times. Then wax with Turtle wax. I just did this to mine and I am amazed at the shine. Good luck and happy boating.
PS mine was ****ty looking before.