My boat was painted with Imron about 8 years ago and is looking dull. A boat maintainance pro suggested "polishing" the boat with a buffer and 3M Finesse. Any opinions or experiences doing this or similar to a 2 paRT PAINT? THANKS VERY MUCH.
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Steve
I did mine with a makita variable speed polisher/buffer/sander. I learned by trial & error. By this I mean how much to put on, how big an area to do, what speed to run the buffer at and how much pressure to apply. Some tips I learned-- the more humid the day the longer the working time with the 3M finesse. I worked a 2' by 2' section until the finesse hazed over, then I would hand buff it off with a soft cloth. I used next to the lowest RPM on the buffer (I think #2 setting) and light pressure. I used a wool bonnet and cleaned it every third or fourth square. Do a samll area first to get the hang of it and you'll be impressed. Imron is a very durable paint and the shine will come back. When you're all done put a good coat of wax on then stand back and admire your reflection.
I did mine with a makita variable speed polisher/buffer/sander. I learned by trial & error. By this I mean how much to put on, how big an area to do, what speed to run the buffer at and how much pressure to apply. Some tips I learned-- the more humid the day the longer the working time with the 3M finesse. I worked a 2' by 2' section until the finesse hazed over, then I would hand buff it off with a soft cloth. I used next to the lowest RPM on the buffer (I think #2 setting) and light pressure. I used a wool bonnet and cleaned it every third or fourth square. Do a samll area first to get the hang of it and you'll be impressed. Imron is a very durable paint and the shine will come back. When you're all done put a good coat of wax on then stand back and admire your reflection.
3M
Steve I have anout a 10 year old imron paint job on my boat. Last spring I polished it with 3M Finesse II and I was amazed. The boat looked better than new. Everyone in the boat yard commented on how shiney the hull was. I applied the polish with a damp cloth and rubbed it in then I buffed it off with a polisher. I will do it again this spring. The only thing it didn't do was buff oout deep scratches but luckily there wasn't very many.
Steve I have anout a 10 year old imron paint job on my boat. Last spring I polished it with 3M Finesse II and I was amazed. The boat looked better than new. Everyone in the boat yard commented on how shiney the hull was. I applied the polish with a damp cloth and rubbed it in then I buffed it off with a polisher. I will do it again this spring. The only thing it didn't do was buff oout deep scratches but luckily there wasn't very many.
Polish is a good way.
I had a Hunter 27 painted with Imron. For six years it looked like new and most people thought it was the original gel coat. The secret I found worked well...Imron is used for painting autos also...so I used a good quality auto wax/cleaner each spring. The wax lasted most of the season (I sail in the Chesapeake where barnacles and algae create a brown mustache along the water line). It cleans up well. Just be sure to buff the wax well after application. You should have years of your boat looking "like new."
I had a Hunter 27 painted with Imron. For six years it looked like new and most people thought it was the original gel coat. The secret I found worked well...Imron is used for painting autos also...so I used a good quality auto wax/cleaner each spring. The wax lasted most of the season (I sail in the Chesapeake where barnacles and algae create a brown mustache along the water line). It cleans up well. Just be sure to buff the wax well after application. You should have years of your boat looking "like new."
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