Hi love these pics, it's why I wrote the article so you could see your boats look like new again!!
MaineSail, while I will admit the Sapphire is a well kept vessel and was rather shiny before I started with the compound, the effort put into the hull was still well worth the time spent, she really is mirror like, once the polishing step was completed the wax was so easily applied and removed, I am sure due to the extreme smoothness of the Gelcoat.Hi love these pics, it's why I wrote the article so you could see your boats look like new again!!
Winner-winner. Chicken dinner!! Great job!!Fours days of buffing and waxing with products and sequencing as recommended by MaineSail to arrive a near perfection, have a couple of repairs going on here which were completed today
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No fair using your mirror of a hull to show the black streaks on the boat next to you.Fours days of buffing and waxing with products and sequencing as recommended by MaineSail to arrive a near perfection, have a couple of repairs going on here which were completed today
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We did two coats above the blue cove stripe, and three coats on/below the blue cove stripe in the images. Maybe it's overkill but I want it to last at least to the fall if possible.COATS (plural) of collinite? How many should I be doing? I am just doing one.
Try using a small hook & loop backing plate and Lake Country pads available in various diameters; the smallest diameter is 4" and you will need 3.5" backing plate. You can adapt the Makita polisher to the smaller pads; however, you will need to purchase an adaptor. Check out the following link http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-rotary-adapter.html as well as http://www.autogeek.net/lc43175.htmlI am using a 7" Makita polisher and it works good for the open areas, HOWEVER, there are going to be TONS of smaller places where the buffer cannot reach. Should I just accept to do it by hand or is there a smaller buffer with a 3", or less, wheel with a wool pad? Any ideas?
The collinite was applied by hand with a round wax applicator 3" pad, and removed by hand with a microfiber cloth. We misted the glass with water just before application, and changed microfiber cloths frequently. The microfiber cloths load up quickly, as long as you have a clean cloth I found no need for machine removal. All the machine work was only during the compound and polishing phases.How did you apply and remove the collinite?
I apply mine with a round yellow foam applicator and remove it with micro fiber towels.
I am about to start my boat with Maine's advise. Have the Makita for that and for the small spaces? I found a 2nd hand Milwaukee cordless polisher, with 50 mm (2") pad. It also makes a good sander for tight spaces with 50 mm 'roloc' disksNew question... I am starting to wet sand all the topsides (from the rub rail up) on our motoryacht. I am following the above tips and it is turning out quite well. I am using a 7" Makita polisher and it works good for the open areas, HOWEVER, there are going to be TONS of smaller places where the buffer cannot reach. Should I just accept to do it by hand or is there a smaller buffer with a 3", or less, wheel with a wool pad? Any ideas?
Wowzers Larry: Looks like a perfect candidate for some topside paint.OK. 40 year old boat with less than "adequate" attention paid to the gel coat.
Am I just whizzing in the wind trying to bring this back to at least presentable?