polish need help

[jwgoss]

i have a 89 bass tracker tf 1600 fiberglass boat. the paint is faded could just be oxidation not really sure. when i wet it will shine pretty good but when it drys it is dull again. i dont want to repaint it but im sure there is a way to make it shine better than it does. i am not looking for showroom finish just a pleasable shine not an eye sore. any ideas on what to do would be very helpful. thanks alot.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: polish need help

If it's not in terrible condition, and it doesn't sound like it is, then you should be able to buff/polish out the oxidation. I actually haven't done it before but I'm getting ready to. I've heard good things about this stuff http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8998&familyName=Buff+Magic. I believe you just buff the hull with this stuff using an orbital buffer($20 at Wal-Mart) then finish up with a good wax. Some guys on here actually wet sand but I was gonna try this first myself. Once again, I have no experience yet, but that's what I plan on doing to mine.

 

[greenwell001]

Re: polish need help

i gess it depends on the results that you want to acheive.....without see the boat and what you described i would say start out with a 1000 grit buffing compound 3m preferably and you should see a hazy lookin finish much like the oxidation you are see now,,,then go to a good polish and it shoud start clearing up but still not that glass shine you want....then a good wax i prefer turle was as it is easy to work in.....but dont be to aggressive with the 1000 grit because you dont want to get int o the glass and keep it wet and keep it moving all the time as you dont want it to get wavy with low spots....pay special attention to ridges on your boat because if you go flat accros a rigde you will have a good chance of getting down to the glass....use low speed at first till you get the hange of it and the get more agressive speed with the polish...the wax will turn it into glass...of course this is trial and error so start at low speed and keep plenty of buffing compoun on the pad and start in a not so noticble area like like the transom and go from there...it is not rocket science and as long as you dont get down to the glass you should be alright

good luck i just did my boat in the same process and it lookes amazing and i have a white boat....a glistening white boat at that

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: polish need help

I believe you just buff the hull with this stuff using an orbital buffer($20 at Wal-Mart) then finish up with a good wax. Some guys on here actually wet sand but I was gonna try this first myself. Once again, I have no experience yet, but that's what I plan on doing to mine.

Kind of an "off topic" thing....... if you are willing to wet sand and buff...... I would absolutely recommend you look into a polisher like from Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. There is a learning curve involved but...... the results and effort are worth it.