Paint is faded

[trdexpert]

I have a 17' 1980 Sea Swirl. The paint on the fiberglass is a faded blue, Is the some kind of wax I can use to bring back the color?

When the boat is wet, the blue color looks very nice

Any wax recomendations?
Should I use a buffer?

Thanks,

Al

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

Check out this thread. It holds the answer to your question.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=372161

 

[scca vette]

Re: Paint is faded

Use the Search feature and you will find MANY threads on this subject. There were actually some pretty good ones that are pretty recent.

But to give you a quick answer, get the sandpaper and buffer out because you will need it.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

This topic is a huge can of worms. There are a ton of threads asking this same question, and it seems like everyone has there own methods for achieving this. Everything from lots of sanding, to drain pipe cleaner, to vaseline (my favorite).

The thread I posted above is one of the more recent ones I have been a part of. It also has some good before and after pictures in it.

Like vette said though, Do a search and you will find way more info than you ever need on this topic.

 

[trdexpert]

Re: Paint is faded

cool, im going to try the vaseline procedure!!!

Thanks

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint is faded

Expert...

Um... Do not try the V thingy..

Vaseline is a petrol product and will look good for a bit..but its not the thing to do.. You WILL damage your coating..

You could use silicone spray, Transmission fluid or even Penitrol .. But the outcome is still the same .. ruin your Coating..

Trust us.. buff a bit.. possible sand..buff some more..buffff.

There is NO magic wax that will do it m8..

YD.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

Expert...

Um... Do not try the V thingy..

Vaseline is a petrol product and will look good for a bit..but its not the thing to do.. You WILL damage your coating..

You could use silicone spray, Transmission fluid or even Penitrol .. But the outcome is still the same .. ruin your Coating..

Trust us.. buff a bit.. possible sand..buff some more..buffff.

There is NO magic wax that will do it m8..

YD.

This is the first I am hearing about vaseline damaging the coating's. How does it affect the coating? I have been using it on my boat for a couple years now and I have not seen any side effects from it.

I am just curious and always wanting to learn.

 

[scca vette]

Re: Paint is faded

This is the first I am hearing about vaseline damaging the coating's. How does it affect the coating? I have been using it on my boat for a couple years now and I have not seen any side effects from it.

I am just curious and always wanting to learn.

If you have to repeat this numerous times in a couple year span would it not be easier to just sand it and buff it and be done with it? Not that I care either way but just wondering why you choose to do it this way??

I am not sure what the Jelly does to gel coat if anything however I know it is NOT something you want to put on vehicle paint.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

I use it once a year on my boat and if last all year. I have done this twice on my boat in the last 2 years and have not had any side effects at all. It only takes a couple hours every year for my boat, and I just find it a lot easier than a ton of sanding and buffing. But if it has bad side effects on the gelcoat, i would like to know.

Thanks.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

I just don't see how vaseline can hurt the gelcoat on the boat. Correct me if I am wrong.

Oxidation occurs when the protective layer on the paint is worn out. This allows for oxygen to attack the paint, hence the dull/oxidated look. People use waxes all the time to maintain the protective coat on there boat, and from my understanding there is really not that big of difference between a good wax, and vaseline.

I just can't see how it hurts anything. I know i am not the only one on this forum that uses vaseline on their boat, and I have yet to hear of any side effects from it.

Like i said, correct me if i am wrong. But please explain to me how i am wrong.

 

[scca vette]

Re: Paint is faded

I just don't see how vaseline can hurt the gelcoat on the boat. Correct me if I am wrong.

Oxidation occurs when the protective layer on the paint is worn out. This allows for oxygen to attack the paint, hence the dull/oxidated look. People use waxes all the time to maintain the protective coat on there boat, and from my understanding there is really not that big of difference between a good wax, and vaseline.

I just can't see how it hurts anything. I know i am not the only one on this forum that uses vaseline on their boat, and I have yet to hear of any side effects from it.

Like i said, correct me if i am wrong. But please explain to me how i am wrong.

I am not sure about Gel Coats on boats and how it reacts. If I were to make a "guess" I am not sure it would hurt it. The reason you can NOT do this with automotive paint is for a couple reasons. 1. Automotive paint has to breath (for lack of better words) and this will not allow the paint to act (breath) as it should. 2. The gelly or any oil that can get into the paint will make it almost impossible to do any paint work.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

I am not sure about Gel Coats on boats and how it reacts. If I were to make a "guess" I am not sure it would hurt it. The reason you can NOT do this with automotive paint is for a couple reasons. 1. Automotive paint has to breath (for lack of better words) and this will not allow the paint to act (breath) as it should. 2. The gelly or any oil that can get into the paint will make it almost impossible to do any paint work.

This is good to know, I will remember not to use it on my jeep.

Thanks

 

[trdexpert]

Re: Paint is faded

I going to try the vaseline on my boat to see how it works, of course i'll take the before and after pics to show you guys.. if I dont like the way it looks or reacts im going to go with sand, sand, sand and buff, buff, buff..

I'll cross my fingers!

 

[scca vette]

Re: Paint is faded

I must be the wierd one here, I actually enjoy buffing. lol

 

[Mako561]

Re: Paint is faded

TRDexpert,
I detail boats so im very famaliar with what you asking and my opinion is to buff the painted surface with 3m Perfect-it which is what i use on awl grip and painted surfaces. Dont wasite your site with silicone products or fillers. They will just wash away quickly and it will be like working for nothing. After that you can use any wax you prefer but i recommend a polymer which tends to last much longer then most. If you need any more advice take a look at my website and see if you can find your answers there. http://www.boatkingsdetailing.com

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint is faded

You can do some research for yourselves on gelcoat and waxes..

Im sure most allready know that I do not think waxing or any other petrol based quick cure product is the answer.. only restoring to the proper finish of the gel.

Google something like " Sealer vs Wax on boats " and make up your own mind.

Just to let you know I have never used any other product than compound, polish or sealer. ( look for " contains no silicates or petrolium " on the back label )

Vaseline is " petrolium jelly " .. I can not tell you " why " not to use.. I can say Do Not use only from exp. rubbing out boats.

YD.

PS. Since Vaseline is a petrol product..you might be in violation of dissipation oil laws ..

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Paint is faded

I am currently restoring my 85 Baretta which has the same issue, and based on past experiences I have found that it's always best to put in the extra effort, and do a complete job and maintain it once in a while instead of opting for the quick and esy method that you have to do more often.

Before breaking out the sandpaper you can always try a polishing compound, use the finest cut you can to start with and see what kind of results you get, jumping right in with a rough cut compound and a high speed buffer can be a disaster if you don't know what you are doing. The same also goes for sanding the surface, if you are not experienced with wetsanding then you could make a costly mistake.

The biggest thing is don't get carried away, work slowly and carefully, thus reducing the risk of damaging your finish beyond simple refinishing.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Paint is faded

I will be refinishing mine in the morning, I'll get some pics of before and after and the methods I use, seeing how this boat sat outside for the last 8 years uncovered it is a perfect project to se for this. I'll try and get everything posted when I get back after my weekend up north.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Paint is faded

I have done a lot of research and reading on this and I have yet to have someone tell me "WHY" not to use it. This is just my opinion, I do not mean any disrespect to anyone reading this.

To me it is not good enough to tell me not to use something, but not be able to tell me "WHY". I am always trying to learn new things, and I know there are a LOT of people on this forum that have way more knowledge than I ever will. But if you are going to start telling me not to do something, please be able to back it up with a "here is WHY". This help's me and everyone else, learn and grow.

I have used this method a lot, and it really does work. I understand there are those of you who don't believe in this, and will use your own methods. To me the boat is a boat. I use it for family fun, and I would rather spend more time on the water than I would buffing, and sanding. The vaseline is a great "easy fix", and yes it does last a LOT longer than you think it would. I have repeatedly said I only do it to my boat once a year. My boat looks great all year. If you are the kind of guy to do a lot of sanding and buffing, than more power to you. There is no doubt, the method works. It is just very labor intensive.

This is just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it, It does not matter to me. And until someone can tell me a reason "WHY NOT" to use the vaseline, I will continue to do so. I see no harm being done to my boat at all and it really does work great.

Thanks.

 

[109jb]

Re: Paint is faded

I've read a bunch of these posts before and there are many that are religious about one side or the other. I decided to try the vaseline on one of the worst spots on my Sea Ray and run the buffer on a spot right next to it. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of that test. The vaseline did give a little shine back but by no means did it make it look as good as the buffed spot. I put the vaseline back in the bathroom cabinet and proceeded to buff my entire boat. Including removing and re-installing the cleats and bow rails It took about 6 or 7 hours to buff the entire boat. In my opinion the shine that the vaseline gave was nowhere near as good as the sine from simply buffing the boat. Look at the pictures below. These are a before and an after buffing. Like I said I didn't get a picture of the vaseline spot but now I can say I tried it and was not satisfied.