Pics of my faded hull

[qmrichardson]

Previous owner obviously didn't believe in using a cover. I'd like to bring some shine back to this neglected fiberglass hull. Anybody have any recommendations? I'm willing to put in work and spend money if I can make it look nice again. Thanks for any suggestions

 

[boat1010]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

If you can, try wet sanding an inconspicuous place with 400 then 1000 grit sandpaper then buffing it out with a buffer and a rubbing compound and see if it brings back the shine.

 

[642mx]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Try the Leverage Products... They sell the stuff in kits to bring back the shine to faded hulls. Give these guys a call and they will get you fixed up. http://www.topnotchperformancemarine.com/~topnotch/home.php?cat=2

 

[scutly]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

 

[semo549]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Get an electric buffer, start with a wool pad and use rubbing compound. 3M makes more than enough products to do this task. I brought my milky white 1977 sea ray back to super high gloss. After your done with the wool pad switch out to a foam pad with polishing glaze.

If you've never buffed before you can search the web for how to do it. It's a lot of hard work but it pays off. It's really the only thing you can do to bring back the luster and have it last for a few seasons. An automotive detail shop would be able to do this for you cheaper than a marine detailer would. I used automotive rubbing compounds on my boat but you may want to use marine.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

I'm sure everyone has their favorite but after messing around all last year with cheap rubbing compounds and such I finally bit the bullet and bought the 3M products.....3M rubbing compound first with wool pad, 3M finesse it glaze next and finished it up with 3M paste wax....cost me like $65 bucks for all three but it worked great and was half the work of cheaper stuff.

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking forward to getting started. What exactly is the purpose of the wool pad for? Does it act as a stripper before using the other products? thanks

 

[januarysails]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

i used Poli glo on an older boat. That metal flake may come out pretty good with it. look it up. It's like a clear coat

 

[jaymasta]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Take some pictures of your progress along the way and report back here with what you did what worked and your pictures. I think a lot of people are in the same boat as you are and to see someone do it and the results would be nice! If you have the time and ability of course.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Try a small spot and use vaseline on the hull...... rub it in and buff it off. I bet that will bring back just the right amount of shine for you.

 

[Craigmri]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

The proper way to restore to an ultra high gloss is with the use of a rotary buffer with wool pad. I have had amazing results with Buff Magic but I wouldn't hesitate to use 3M products either. This is not a buff by hand project if you want it done to the highest level of gloss.

Craig

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Try a small spot and use vaseline on the hull...... rub it in and buff it off. I bet that will bring back just the right amount of shine for you.

Could do the trick with a lot less effort. Not as long lasting though. Used it myself.

 

[semo549]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking forward to getting started. What exactly is the purpose of the wool pad for? Does it act as a stripper before using the other products? thanks

In a nutshell think of buffing like sandpaper. The wool pad would be a more course grit than a foam pad would be. You start with the wool pad because you need that grit do restore the shine. After the wool pad the finish will look shiney but rather hazy at the same time. The foam pad then (a more fine grit) will will smooth out the haziness and make it shine. Basically if you were to start with a foam pad if would not be course enough to get the job done. The wool pad does not act like a stripper, it get down into the surface of your hull and fills the scratches with rubbing compound. The foam pad then removes those wool pad scratches with finer scratches filled with the polishing glaze of your choice. If you do a search on google about automotive buffing there is prolly lots of information better than I can give. Hope that helps,

Jim

 

[skargo]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

 

[tal]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Or if it's like my little bass boat, the clear is gone and you can feel a rough metal flake at the surface and no amount of buffing will help. I've thought about spraying down new gelcoat but then I'd have to worry about scratching it up. I already have that to worry about with a new boat.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

Or if it's like my little bass boat, the clear is gone and you can feel a rough metal flake at the surface and no amount of buffing will help. I've thought about spraying down new gelcoat but then I'd have to worry about scratching it up. I already have that to worry about with a new boat.

good point...lol... some boats are for showing, and some are for fishing !...lol

 

[januarysails]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

if you wet the boat and it looks good then go POLI GLO. It's wipe on and leave it. By no means will it replace a paint job but it should work out just fine

 

[oops!]

Re: Pics of my faded hull

anything except a full compound to re surface the gellcoat is just a band aid.

if the boat is metal flake.....uh.....sorry....they look good new....but impossible to restore.

3m makes good products.....

but the pro's use farecla....google it....