My '81 Catalina 30 has a tan hull that is pretty badly oxidized. I'm curious as to what products and methods others have found successful in restoring the finish on their boats.
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Island girl
I'll have to see if I can get Steve Dion over here to relate his experience, but he swears by the stuff. He has an early 80's hull that, he says, looks like it's new after the IG treatment. after seeing a photo of the boat the other day, I'd have to agree. Watch this thread...
I'll have to see if I can get Steve Dion over here to relate his experience, but he swears by the stuff. He has an early 80's hull that, he says, looks like it's new after the IG treatment. after seeing a photo of the boat the other day, I'd have to agree. Watch this thread...
Macguire's compound
I've had mild to good luck with Macguire's line of products. I can't remember the number (they're all numbered) but it's one of the harsher rubbing compounds. Then polish it with one of they're polishes. I'm looking forward to hearing about Island Girl - hopefully it's easier! LaDonna
I've had mild to good luck with Macguire's line of products. I can't remember the number (they're all numbered) but it's one of the harsher rubbing compounds. Then polish it with one of they're polishes. I'm looking forward to hearing about Island Girl - hopefully it's easier! LaDonna
Oxidation
You might also try a product named Poly Glo. I saw it at the Newport Boat show and looked like it did a really great job.. I bought it for my 86 Catalina but have not tried it as of yet. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I guess thaer are as many solutions and products as are are poeple. I have used MaGuires like Ladonna suggests and it did a great job last year. i thought I would try this this year since I heard so mucg about it. I have not heard of Island girl but know Phil to be an extremely knowledgeable person. Good luck with whatever you try.
You might also try a product named Poly Glo. I saw it at the Newport Boat show and looked like it did a really great job.. I bought it for my 86 Catalina but have not tried it as of yet. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I guess thaer are as many solutions and products as are are poeple. I have used MaGuires like Ladonna suggests and it did a great job last year. i thought I would try this this year since I heard so mucg about it. I have not heard of Island girl but know Phil to be an extremely knowledgeable person. Good luck with whatever you try.
I just purchased 1977 Catalina 22 that has been outside in the sun and snow for four years. It looked bad, but I got a great price. I ended up wet-sanding the hull with 600 grit paper on an air sander. I followed that up with polishing compound (Dupont), and then a good wax. I've read that this can only be done once and only to gelcoat. Don't try this with a poly paint surface! I plan on painting the boat soon, so I wasn't going to worry about the one time sanding solution. It turned out pretty good. Good Luck!
Yo Bob, I can show you.
Bob: Where are you keeping your boat. I am in Rio Vista area. We have had our boat in the Delta since 1986. Obviously you know the intensity of the sun. I have done the bulkheads and the stern with Island Girl. I was amazed on how the gel coat looks after an entire season. I used the cleaner and the wax on the bulkheads and they actually look like new. I have not completed waxing the stern yet. I you would like to see the boat just give me a call. Steve Dion s/v Heather Marie Hidden Harbor Marina, Rio Vista, CA. www.hiddenharbormarina.com steve@sdcsoftware.com
Bob: Where are you keeping your boat. I am in Rio Vista area. We have had our boat in the Delta since 1986. Obviously you know the intensity of the sun. I have done the bulkheads and the stern with Island Girl. I was amazed on how the gel coat looks after an entire season. I used the cleaner and the wax on the bulkheads and they actually look like new. I have not completed waxing the stern yet. I you would like to see the boat just give me a call. Steve Dion s/v Heather Marie Hidden Harbor Marina, Rio Vista, CA. www.hiddenharbormarina.com steve@sdcsoftware.com
gel coat oxidation
I use PPG DRX 16 polishing compound. It is available by the gallon at Body supply shops, and is reasonably priced. follow this up using Collinite brand wax, with a final coat of their insulator wax. The hull will come out like new. I used it in the past on my 1975 Catalina 27 and the hull looked new. Once you get the oxidation off you can follow-up each year by just using McGuires No. 19.
I use PPG DRX 16 polishing compound. It is available by the gallon at Body supply shops, and is reasonably priced. follow this up using Collinite brand wax, with a final coat of their insulator wax. The hull will come out like new. I used it in the past on my 1975 Catalina 27 and the hull looked new. Once you get the oxidation off you can follow-up each year by just using McGuires No. 19.
Poly-Glow
I have used Poly Glow on my boat and it works GREAT!!! and its real easy to apply. I have had mine on about a year now and it still looks like it did when i put it on.
I have used Poly Glow on my boat and it works GREAT!!! and its real easy to apply. I have had mine on about a year now and it still looks like it did when i put it on.
I like Meguir's too....
When I bought both my 30 and 36, I had the opportunity, while they were in the yard for bottom paint, to buff them out. I used Meguir's both times, and the three year old polish job on the 30 still looks great. I have a Makita disc sander/polisher (11 Inch) and it makes the job go more quickly. It is a LOT of work, but once you have the hull smooth, it will continue to look great if you keep up with it. I would beware of the products that don't actually remove the oxidation. You have to get that off in order to really have a good shine. I may freshen mine up with an "Easy on, Easy off" product, and in fact I think Meguirs makes one.
When I bought both my 30 and 36, I had the opportunity, while they were in the yard for bottom paint, to buff them out. I used Meguir's both times, and the three year old polish job on the 30 still looks great. I have a Makita disc sander/polisher (11 Inch) and it makes the job go more quickly. It is a LOT of work, but once you have the hull smooth, it will continue to look great if you keep up with it. I would beware of the products that don't actually remove the oxidation. You have to get that off in order to really have a good shine. I may freshen mine up with an "Easy on, Easy off" product, and in fact I think Meguirs makes one.
No oxidization !
I have the opposite problem, I have just (this winter) purchased a C34 the problem is that the previous owner removed a previous name from the topsides. the area where the graphic was applied is quite shiny to the point where I can still read the old name. How can I make the shiny surface more like the rest of the hull that is oxidized (normal amount for 1986) without ruining the finish ?
I have the opposite problem, I have just (this winter) purchased a C34 the problem is that the previous owner removed a previous name from the topsides. the area where the graphic was applied is quite shiny to the point where I can still read the old name. How can I make the shiny surface more like the rest of the hull that is oxidized (normal amount for 1986) without ruining the finish ?
Andrew Bell
You may want to try a rubbing compound as well. You might be able to get away with an 800+ wet/dry sandpaper too (making sure hull stays wet). LaDonna
You may want to try a rubbing compound as well. You might be able to get away with an 800+ wet/dry sandpaper too (making sure hull stays wet). LaDonna
Mequir's worked for me!
I Bought my boat 82 C-27 used from a friend down in Sacramento Ca, it had set several years, and the water would almost turn white with the oxidiation when I washed it, so... I washed it well, and used the harsh compound, it first looked like the white gel coat was turning brown from the compound, but it came out nice and shiny (used a pwr buffer on the hull), then did a coat of the clean and wax version, and topped it off with the pure wax they have. I have never had a oxidition problem anymore and it washes and shines very easily
I Bought my boat 82 C-27 used from a friend down in Sacramento Ca, it had set several years, and the water would almost turn white with the oxidiation when I washed it, so... I washed it well, and used the harsh compound, it first looked like the white gel coat was turning brown from the compound, but it came out nice and shiny (used a pwr buffer on the hull), then did a coat of the clean and wax version, and topped it off with the pure wax they have. I have never had a oxidition problem anymore and it washes and shines very easily
oxidized fiberglass
If its fades try newglass2 it really works and they where way before Poly Glow and the rest. I think there new site is www.newglass2.com
If its fades try newglass2 it really works and they where way before Poly Glow and the rest. I think there new site is www.newglass2.com
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