Bringing my boat back to life.

[mpc]

I have a project going on with restoring my gel coat. I was wondering if I wet sand do you have to sand in a back and forth manner or can you use circular motion? Than would I use M.E.K or acetone to clean the surface before adding an rubbing compound. Farecla 300 and 400 are the ones I plan on using then maybe finess-it or Farecla Glaze. Does anyone have some helpful information.


Thank You

MPC

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

Welcome to the site, a source massive information, if it's not explained here you probably won't have to do it. Do a search of this forum. That question has been answered in great detail on many threads, lots with pics of techniques, tools, etc. All your questions will be answered.

 

[mpc]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

Thank you friend I have gotten lots of information from this site. I gues my biggest quetion when I wet sand can use and orbital sander of should I use a block for back and forth motion.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

mpc,
First, welcome to Iboats.
We love pic's here, Do you have any pic's of your project?
Are you just trying to remove the oxidation and bring back the shin?
How heavy is the oxidation?
Have you tried just using steel wool with a lube and a polish?
If it's just oxidation you should be able to bring it back with the steel wool.
Yes, you can use a orbital sander. I would use caution and not get to aggressive. Just use a fine sandpaper 220 - 320 and maybe higher.
There are also a lot of product's in the market place that are specially made for gel costs and removing Oxidation.
Hope this helps.
Bob

 

[Overnighter20]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

Not sure about that wet sanding and orbital sander combination,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[mpc]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

I will post some pic as soon as figure out how to get them uploaded the ones I have exceeds the limit to post.

 

[mpc]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

This is the link to the picture of the boat that I am working on I seen a link where a guy just used some rubbing compound and it looks nice. does anyne think that I need to wet sand before I buff.

 

[mpc]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo57/mldo5500/12-26-200964810PM.jpg

 

[mpc]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

Here are some of the pictures of the project I have at hand, does anyone have any suggestions do you think I may have to wet sand with a p1000 or higher?

 

[leoo24]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

What did you use in the end and how did it come along?

i've got a coloured stripe down my crownline which is faded in areas, i'm trying to decide which approach to use also.

 

[lrcustom]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

Welcome fellow Sea Ray Owner.
I have an 87 18' same color as yours. the painted red areas on my cap were very sun burnt. I discovered Mr.Clean magic eraser did a fantastic job except at one spot that needed a little more. The sticker stripe on the hull after the magic eraser looks almost brand new. I was impressed as it really cleaned up something I thought I would have to remove. Give it a try they are cheap.

LR Custom

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

yes, another sea ray. good looking boat, I love that era of rays. Good luck with your project and welcome to iboats.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Bringing my boat back to life.

I have medium oxidation on my current Euroline project, I used dish soap, water and a blue scotch bright pad to remove the oxidation. The blue pad is course enough to get the job done without leaving scratches. I am now buffing the hull out with 3M Rubbing compound #05954 that is made for machine buffing. This stuff is awesome, buffs to a deep shine and removes small scratches and imperfections. I got it from our local NAPA auto parts store but it shouild be available from any automotive finish dealer or body shop. Was on the expensive side at $32.00 and change but well worth money IMHO.

Oh, and when I say machine buffing I don't mean one of those slow speed polishers you use on good paint. I used a 7'' dewalt grinder with a buffing pad and slowed it down with my wood router speed controller. I have also used a 9'' dewalt wildcat grinder for buffing out lacquer and it should work just fine on gel coat as well.