Can't seem to get my bootstripe to polish up

[Bad Obsession]

I wanted to try to get my bootstripe to show up better. It is dull and has a chalky look to it. I tried rubbing compound and numerous wax products and nothing seemed to help. Does anyone have any suggestions, preferably the easy way, to get this to look better? WOuld a fiberglass restorer help?

 

[Dave from Mi.]

Boot stripe

Hi BO;I just did mine last week and used 3M FinessIt II and a random orbit buffer. I had to mask it off from the bottom paint to keep the bonnet clean, but it shined up and looks like new. You will have to apply a wax after the FinessIt cleaning, but it sure looks nice now.Good luckDave

 

[Tim R.]

What is it?

Gelcoat, paint, vinyl? This makes a difference on how to treat.

 

[Bad Obsession]

It is probably the gel coat

THis is not an added stripe. It was original, before the gel coat was added. It is probably the gel coat that is hazy. I am just going to splash the boat and not worry about it for this year.

 

[Rich (P303)]

MaineSail

would you wet sand by hand or with a small block of wood?320 grit?... or finer.I have a bootstripe that could use some work. Tried 3M last year... helped some.

 

[Allan]

Presta Ultra Buffing System

is purchased at a auto paint store and is used with a 7" heavy buffer, the buffing pads and all the creams and pads are contained in the kit. It's not cheap $117.00, it was recommended to me by a friend that does auto body work and has used this system on his boat, also several other people in my marina have done their boats, with great results. The kit will do a 32' sailboat easily. It is marine recommended, and this spring all I have to do is just spray and wipe by hand and the gloss will come back to my hull.

 

[Maine Sail]

Rich..

P400 is the lowest I usually go then to P600 and yes definitely by hand but 320 would not be bad other than removing the sanding marks. Do not use a block of wood as the hull is not flat and you may take off some high spots. I use a damp sponge behind the wet sand paper and this allows the paper to contour the hull and sand the highs and lows easier.. After the P600 try Presta Super Cut Compound at related link..SPECTRUM BODY SHOP SUPPLY IN PORTLAND SELLS PRESTA..Rinse your paper frequently!!P.S. Presta products are some of the BEST in the business but usually only sold through body shop supply shops and it can be tough to find. I recommend 3M because it's easy to find but Presta is very, very nice stuff and it contains no silicones and uses very high quality diminishing grit media..

 

[joendj]

Wet sand

Did mine about a month ago on a rainy day.Used 600 grit paper on a flexible sanding block.The rain helped but you do need a bucket to keep the sandpaper from clogging up.After the sanding I used a rubbing compound then wax.Looks GREAT!

 

[Warren Milberg]

I use a soft rubber block

when wet sanding and it works well. I sometimes use three grits: 400, 800, and 1200 to finish up. I've found that soaking the paper first helps a lot and I also use a spray bottle filled with water and liquid detergent to spray the area I'm working on. It keeps the paper from clogging up and keeps the surface slick.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Thanks for the push...

I have wet sanded my Hobie many times... I just forgot what grit to start at. I had a friend that worked for 3M... he guided me through it many years back.Will start cleaning/waxing the top sides... and work my way down to the boot stripe. That will be the only thing I wet sand.I wish I lived next door to Mainesail... He has 6 of everything.Down to Hamilton's to pick up some boat soap... better make a list!Thanks,Rich