Boat in need of a buff and wax.

[bootyhunter]

Hunter 25.5 with a a chalky top side and hull. Want to successfully restore the finish. I acid cleaned entire boat as it was needed but now need that shine. I have the ability to use a high speed buffer and the know how but hoping for someone to recommend a easy and.great product to use? I have used 3m products on other boats in the past but not sure what others have found to be best? I know you'll all have great recommendations. Thanks!

 

[Siamese]

3m products are good. Presta compounds and polishes are better. I would not say easier, but better.

"Easier" will typically mean alternatives to compounding and polishing that put some sort of coating on your gelcoat.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I second the Presta products. IMHO it is superior to 3M and at half the cost.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

 

[caguy]

Two years ago I found a company here in Sun Valley that wholesales to auto details. When I got there on a Saturday they were ready to close but the owner's wife reopened the store. She was extremely helpful after I explained that I wanted to polish and wax an old boat. She took the time to show me all of the applicators, polishes and wax. Their prices where good and the product is excellent. I still have enough polish and wax for this season.

http://www.3dproducts.com/

 

[jblersch]

I really like the 3M marine restorer and wax. It's a little pricey, but really worked well to bring my 240 back to life when I bought it a few years ago. I've stuck with it because it worked well.

 

[twistedline]

My 25.5 was the same. The deck is the hardest to restore. I have been (slowly) wet sanding with various levels of grit and finishing with 3m fiberglass restorer & wax. I have not touched the non-slip yet.

The gelcoat is cream so as I 'restore' it I bring back this colour. I wish it had a white gelcoat.

 

[caguy]

My 25.5 was the same. The deck is the hardest to restore. I have been (slowly) wet sanding with various levels of grit and finishing with 3m fiberglass restorer & wax. I have not touched the non-slip yet.

The gelcoat is cream so as I 'restore' it I bring back this colour. I wish it had a white gelcoat.

For the deck non-skid I scrub it with a brush to clean it and then apply Woody Wax. It brings out the color pretty well. It is also not slippery.

 

[bootyhunter]

All, so I wet sanded hull with 800, then 1000. Then high speed buffed with 3m super duty compound. This cleaned and started to bring out a shine. I took compound off with a foam pad and polished at low speed to keep heat low. Then laboriously hand waxed hull with a carnuba wax. Only half done with hull but the boat honestly looks like a new gelcoat. Even one of the yard guys stopped and complemented in amazement. I will soon post before and after. The top decks are next but saving until spring. That job is for the patient....which I will have to talk myself into. Thanks to all for your suggestions!

 

[Maine Sail]

All, so I wet sanded hull with 800, then 1000. Then high speed buffed with 3m super duty compound. This cleaned and started to bring out a shine. I took compound off with a foam pad and polished at low speed to keep heat low. Then laboriously hand waxed hull with a carnuba wax. Only half done with hull but the boat honestly looks like a new gelcoat. Even one of the yard guys stopped and complemented in amazement. I will soon post before and after. The top decks are next but saving until spring. That job is for the patient....which I will have to talk myself into. Thanks to all for your suggestions!

You might find a few more details in here:

Tips For A Great Compound, Polish & Wax

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Generally, I would first wash the boat off as many do not before compounding. By hand takes time; therefore the use of a low speed buffer no more than 1000 rpm going back and forth is essential. I have used 3 m products but Finese It in the paste form not the liquid kind was the best to use unles the boat was heavily oxidized. In that case you can use a stronger compound and/or use wet sand 600 to 800 grit using alot of water to bring the luster out and then I would go to the Finese it. Following that a good wax and I used the 3m cleaner wax then followed with pure wax by melges. I do not recommend those materials where you apply with a brush as it will create alot of work in the near future. My customers liked the outcome. I am now retired from the mairne industry.