Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

[TimberwolfFXDL]

To me this boat looks to have calcium on it? Makes me want to spray it down with CLR before doing anything.

But I'm not experienced with boat hull restoration. Here's the couple pictures I took when I bought it, and I will add more as needed. The hull and outdrive have a white scaly look to them. As far as I know this was always a freshwater boat, as the nearest salt water is 800+ miles away in the NEAREST direction.

I've removed the vinyl lettering and thin stripes. The lower stripes by the water line are still in tact, as is the baby blue (think that's tinted gel coat?).

I'm kinda fixing up this old money pit as a learning experience more than anything else. I know I will put more money into than it's worth. As it sits, I have $1200 into it (including purchase price) after swapping out and selling the bad motor (mentioned in my impeller thread from yesterday). The floor is weak, and the upholstery rear of the windshield is all pretty rough.

I don't mind so much though, because I'm learning boat construction and resto techniques as I go, and if I can keep it under $2500 I might break even in the late spring, or at worst lose a few hundred on an education

Sorry for all the wordiness, here's the pic I have. I will get better ones in a day or so. What can you tell me about getting rid of the calcium/lime and bringing some shine back?

I'm guessing this is what is should look like:

 

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

Nobody has any thoughts on how to get rid of all that stuff?

Muriatic acid and water solution maybe?

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

Timber,

You can use CLR on the hull but I wouldn't on the outdrive. Also, muriatic acid is too strong. Oxilic acid is what is used in hull cleaners. You could try that also. For the outdrive, I would try vinegar first followed by a hot water rinse. If that doesn't work then try the oxilic acid slightly diluted. You can increase the strength from there.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

i agree with greg for the most part some hull cleaner either store bought like on and off or oxilic acid should due for the bottom half as for the top a high speed buffer with a wool pad and some 3m compound should make it look like new!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

The acis may be the key for the drive but I have to say that buffing is a quick temporary solution but wet sanding with various grits followed by buffing is mostlikely the perminate solution to a good shine eighter way it's all elbo grease just a matter of how many processes your willing to try before facing the sanding!

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

fat fanny buffing is not a temp fix! rubbing compounds are of various grit and work just like sanding however they dont remove as much material. you should always start with compound and only sand if you HAVE to!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Need a recipe to restore this Four Winns

Please forgive m incorrect input of infor which I just caught after reading later but from my view of the rig I believe the sanding rout would benifit this poster best especially with a darker light color to get below the first layer of gel to get the shine back @ least with my experience. In the future I will pay more attention to what I have typed before I submit.