My boats finish

[goboating]

I own a 1993 Javelin 360 FS. This is a 20 year old boat..I get it. The finish looks bland and dull. I was told by my local boat store to use a product called "On or OFF", its a mild acid cleaner that should remove old stains etc. before I washed and waxed it. Well thats 15 bucks down the drain...literally. Does anyone have any fiberglass cleaning tips? I remember a product from a few years ago called "Blue Polly"(?) or something like it that would help restore the finish...or at least brighten it up. Thanks for your help.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: My boats finish

Same problem. The only thing that will bring back the shine on your hull is elbow grease, rubbing compound, and wax... did I mention elbow grease, and wax? Personlly I've given up on ever seeing the shine again. Too much work for the results.

 

[RZR2007]

Re: My boats finish

I've got a 27 year old fiberglass boat that the finish had become very dull, the top was actually light brown, but looked chalky white. I can tell you there's no magic potion in a bottle for bringing the shine back to it. If it's really dull, rubbing compound alone will make the finish uneven. What I have done is start with 800 grit sandpaper, finish up with 1200 grit, then use 3m rubbing compound with a buffing pad and drill, followed with 3m finneseit and a coat of wax. For clarity and depth of shine, there is nothing that compares to wet sanding first. I have about half the boat done and the difference is unbelievable, it looks wet and very clear....

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: My boats finish

vertglas kit works great for me

 

[CHEVYJEFF]

Re: My boats finish

Vaseline. works wonders on dark gelcoat. Heres what I do every other year to my dark green gelcoat.
During summer when its nice and hot I get a economy size bottle of generic petrolium jelly (white)
put on some blue vitrile gloves and rub it in to the gelcoat and let it sit for a few hours.
I then come back and wipe it off best I can. Then after a couple trips to lake I will wash boat
and then follow w/ a good wax. Doesnt work so well on white gelcoat but works great on dark.

 

[goboating]

Re: My boats finish

:facepalm: Yep...chalk it up to a new guy!??! When I posted this there is a header that comes up called "similar topics", there it was...the first one. Pretty much what I was wondering about. Thanks for the response guys!!!!

 

[sam60]

Re: My boats finish

I searched a lot and was told use mop and glow instead of vertglas, both not good from what I'm told.

I did a test spot starting with 600, then 800, 1000 & 1200 grit (wet always) and used a quality wax and viola! Awesome finish. It drained the grease from my elbows so I will do the whole boat once the elbow reservoirs are full again.