3m Finnesse Problem

woodster · May 25, 2014

njlarry said:
Hello All,
I've used Finnesse before without a problem but today was different. Using a Makita buffer with a 3M compounding pad and 3M Rubbing Compound the gel coat came out pretty well. Went to follow it with Finnesse and the gel coat lost gloss because we couldn't wipe it off. We were in the shade and using micro fiber rags that worked great removing the rubbing compound. To get the shine back I had to remove the Finesse by re-compounding.
Any idea what we were doing wrong?

did you have a spray bottle of water handy and mist the work to keep it moist.....sounds like you polished it to dry

woodster · May 25, 2014

njlarry said:
Yes, was misting the heck out of it for both the compounding and polishing.

did you use a polishing pad or the compounding pad

woodster · May 25, 2014

then i don't know ...maybe go back and reread his procedure and see if something clicks

woodster · May 25, 2014

or maybe you did to big of an area at a time

Scott T-Bird · May 26, 2014

I stopped using it for precisely that reason. I used Maquiars compound and polishing this year with better results. I also find terry cloth better than micro fiber. I can't get micro fiber to remove anything.

pcjrusso · May 26, 2014

I just did my 34' Oday I found that I could only do about 18' x 18" I didn't buff it until it was dry. I would try to wipe if off with a micro fiber before it dried. It came out beautiful .

I followed Mainesails link other then wet sanding

keep trying different ways until you get what works for you

Crazy Dave Condon · May 27, 2014

What many have done over the years is use a buffer at high speed and/or applied to much pressure against the gel coat to give what may have occurred above. I could be wrong but this might be something to consider. when buffing, no more than 1000 rpm and do not press down hard either. Go over it back and forth quickly. Hopes this helps

Barnacle Bill · May 29, 2014

Finessette-it II was really designed for paints, but you can use it on light gelcoat oxidization, but you are not supposed to apply it in direct sun light or on a hot surface. You are supposed to use medium pressure with the approved buffer pad and lighten up as the product starts to dry and then you can buff it out to a shine. Do only about a 2 square area each time.

Gunni · May 29, 2014

Presta Ultra Polish

chuckwayne · May 30, 2014

Try an auto body shop supply house- presta is very popular in the auto restoration world. I've been using it on my boats for years and it's great

PKFK · Jun 1, 2014

I will also suggest Presta Ultra cutting cream LITE.

The lite product is a bit less aggressive - so if your boat is fairly new and the finish is I pretty good shape, give the "lite" a whirl. !

Paul