How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

[mikereno1]

I am looking at a 2001 Cobalt 206, about 450 hours on the 350 mag, duoprop, interior in great shape, but the gelcoat is pretty faded. Its dark blue and doesnt have the "shine" I would expect.

Here is a picture. How difficult would it be to get this looking new again?

 

[rsmitty814]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

It doesn't look near as bad as mine. I used Macguiers (sp) wax-compound with a buffer. Came out great.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Yessir, an investment in elbow grease will have it looking pretty spiffy.

 

[NYBo]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Bah! That's nothing. It shouldn't take that much to shine her up.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

That is not bad... darker colors always look worse than they really are.

 

[Volphin]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

No, no. That is beyond repair. You better sell it to me before it gets worse.

 

[Volphin]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Seriously though, I use Meguires three step system. Oxidation remover 45, Polish, Flagship wax with a 7" random orbit buffer.
That ox cutter might be too harsh for that minimal chalking, so try a lighter compound first.

 

[mikereno1]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Awesome, I just wanted to make sure I'm not going to be getting in over my head. Hopefully this will be my first boat!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

If it's your first boat, I'd recommend you do a thorough inspection of the interior deck looking for soft spots around the seats, ski locker, and motor well. I'd also inspect the transom for cracks and discoloration and yank up and down on the outdrive to ensure the transom had no flex in it. Also get under her and inspect the bottom of the hull to see if she's got any gouges or major scratches that need to be dealt with. She's 12 years old and unless she's been cared for really well, she could be developing some issues with her structural components. Better to look now than to discover later. Buyer be Aware!!!

 

[Brian 26]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Faded and unpolished is a great way to buy a boat. You'll be shocked at how good it looks when you're done. It's not hard but is time consuming. West Marine is expensive but the guys there are great.

As other's have said Mequires is great. The Medium Cut Cleaner is great for taking out scratches. Follow up with a wax and it will look as good as the day it was born.

 

[moosehead]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

She'll polish up nicely starting with medium or light cut polishes and a rotary or orbital hand held. I had a similar situation on a black Cobalt hull with oxidation, but she came out looking near new with 3M Restorer & Wax. Thereafter, I've only really needed a marine finish wax applied by hand once or twice each season to keep it looking good.

More serious efforts sometimes require wetsanding first, but you aren't anywhere near that need looking at the photo.

 

[SWAMPYANKEE40]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Not hard my 1979 still shines great with a buff job every two years

 

[britisher]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

Watched a ShipShape TV episode this week and they covered getting the shine back on boats. They used a Navy Blue boat just like yours. To highlight the difference, they laid a line of masking tape up the hull side and worked on one side of the line. When the finished they removed the tape and the difference was like night and day. I recall the products were made by Marine 31. Their slogan is made by boat people for boat people. You can find them on ship shape tv .com

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: How hard would it be to get this hull looking new?

FWIW....

I like Collonite Collinite Auto, Marine and Industrial Wax Products Official Site ? Collinite

My 1984 hull was really faded and it brought it back like new. For the deck side I cleaned and then covered with floor wax (don't laugh). The floor waxed made the deck look new and has stayed that way for over 6 months. Water beads and most can't believe how good the boat looks.