Bootstripe

[Mike Mc]

Anybody put Catalina's bootstripe tape on? I think the original which is now badly faded is paint. Catalina sells vinyl stick on bootstripe which "sounds like " an easy option.
Thanks

 

[MarkZ]

Buff and wax it. Mine was badly faded too and when I polished my boat last year the boot stripe shined up like new with a little polishing compound.

 

[Mike Mc]

Wow thats amazing. I wax mine every year but it never comes up like that. I guess I need better polishing compound. What did you use?

 

[MarkZ]

I actually just used the Collinite No. 920 Fiberglass Boat Cleaner. Then I waxed it with Collinite Fleetwax.

 

[Tom J]

I'd like to hear more about the vinyl bootstripe. Mine is totally streaked and faded after using different cleaners to get rid of the ICW "mustache".

 

[c130king]

I pulled my boat in December for a bottom job. Used Maguire's Ultra-Cut 120 polishing compound and a DA electric polisher with a thick foam pad. It worked great and made the boot stripe really shine. Made the entire hull below the rub rail look great.

I did hit a few especially faded spots with 3000 grit wet sand paper and a sanding block.

Followed that up with Collonite Boat Wax. Now it looks really good.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Long Story]

Just an important FYI - the stripe is not painted on, that is gel-coat that was sprayed in the mold prior to the hull layup. Yes, polish or even very fine wet sand will bring the color back but - USE CAUTION it is only a couple thousandth thick.