lost it's Shine

[kissmybass]

I just purchased a 1985 Ray Craft 17ft Bass Boat. (My first Boat)The boat has lost it's shine. The metal flake seems fine. Im not sure if it has a gel coat or if it has a clear coat, but is gone. I would like to repair this my self but I’m not sure ware to start any input would be helpful. Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: lost it's Shine

There is clear gel coat layer at the surface, under that is a layer of clear mixed with flake. You don't want to sand or pollish away the top clear layer, if you do it will be difficult to get it to look good again. Try a wax that will remove mild oxidation first, if it looks better but still needs more work get somthing more agressive, go slow you don't want to sand into the flake.

 

[kissmybass]

Re: lost it's Shine

Thanks ondarvr <br />Ok the clear gel coat layer is almost gone completely it feels rough. The boat sat out in the sun on the lake most of it’s life, and the previous owner told me he wet sanded it and sprayed it with clear (not gel coat) So I’m thinking the only way to get the shine back is to reapply a clear gel coat but I’m sure where to start with that, I’m going to try some rubbing compound first. I will update with the results.<br /><br />Will pics help

 

[ondarvr]

Re: lost it's Shine

This makes it more difficult, if the Clear coat (not gel coat) is gone now and the rough surface is from the flake being exposed, it can be very difficult to make it look good again.<br /><br />See if you can very lightly sand and buff an area that is rough, it may clean up OK. If it still looks bad, try to see if there is flake at the surface ceating the texture.<br /><br />Yes Pics will help.

 

[kissmybass]

Re: lost it's Shine

I wet sanded an area with 600 and then buffed it with wax and it cleaned up pretty dam good, so I’m going to wet sand the entire boat, buff it with rubbing compound and then polishing compound then put a good coat of wax on. I will post before and after pics when the project is done. Thanks ondarvr

 

[DangerDan]

Re: lost it's Shine

I use the 3M rubbing compound followed by polishing it it with 3M Finesse. works like a charm.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: lost it's Shine

I use the 3M rubbing compound followed by polishing it it with 3M Finesse. works like a charm.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: lost it's Shine

Originally posted by DangerDan:<br /> I use the 3M rubbing compound followed by polishing it it with 3M Finesse. works like a charm.

I used 3M marine rubbing compound to get rid of the oxidation from by boat and it got all of the oxidation off and great when I got the boat it was grey after using the 3M a few times it was burgundy again, then I used Star-Brite marine Polish and it brought back a great shine. (I tryed other Rubbing Compounds and nothing worked as good as the 3M and No other Polish worked as Good as Star-Brite)