Flex 3401 + Rupes Blue Coarse Foam pad + Captain’s One-Step + Captain's Boat Coating?

[pbalias]

Hello Mike (and others)!

I am looking to polish a 1-year old 30ft. Grady White with light-blue colored gelcoat. As the boat is only a year old, the gelcoat is in visibly great shape and doesn't need heavy cutting. There are a few superficial bumper/buoy scuffs, but nothing major at all. I was looking to use my Flex 3401 with a Rupes Blue Coarse Foam pad and the Marine 31 Captain's One-Step to do the polish.

I have a few questions:


1. Does this seem like a good combo for a relatively new boat?

2. Is the Rupes Blue Foam pad too aggressive for this to be a one-step process and will I have to follow it up with a softer pad?

3. What sealer would you recommend? I'm looking at the Marine 31 Captain's Boat Coating with UV50. Will I need to wipe the boat down to remove oils from the Captain's One-Step prior to using the Boat Coating?

The boat sits in the water from April - October in New Jersey so I'm looking for a durable sealer that will last as long.

Thanks in advance!

[pbalias]

Mike?

[BigMikeMD]

Mike?You should definitely get Mike's boat detailing book. It has a ton of detail, photos and options for exterior & interior work.

I'm planning on a similar combo (flex 3401 + blue coarse rupes pads) on my boat, less than a year old and minimal oxidation after first summer on the water in Maryland.

Going to try the All in One polish & wax from Marine 31 at the start of our season, and use the wax + sealant to keep it protected.

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[BigMikeMD]

I had in my notes that GTechniq (?) makes a good marine coating. Think they used this in the boat class.

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[Mike Phillips]

Sorry I missed your first post - I’m not behind my computer so hard to type but “yes” that’s one of the combos I find works great and I show on my class.

FKEX 3401 - RUPES Coarse Blue Fosm Pad - Captains Compound

Then seal.

Not too aggressive - gel coats don’t like soft foam pads when abrading.

Will type more tomorrow.

:)

[Mike Phillips]

See page 2 and post #18 of this thread

Pictures: 2018 Boat Detailing Class at Autogeek with Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/boat-detailing-classes-dates-and-info/117717-pictures-2018-boat-detailing-class-autogeek-mike-phillips-2.html)

:)

[pbalias]

Thanks for the response Mike and the link...answers some questions. Sounds like BigMikeMD and I are in the same situation.

Question: Will the Flex 3401 with the Rupes blue foam cutting pad + the Marine 31 Captain's One-Step have enough cutting power to get rid of mild-light oxidation on a 1-year old boat, or will it only take out the holograms from a rotary? I wan't planning on using a rotary and was hoping the Flex 3401 had the cutting power.

[Mike Phillips]

Question: Will the Flex 3401 with the Rupes blue foam cutting pad + the Marine 31 Captain's One-Step have enough cutting power to get rid of mild-light oxidation on a 1-year old boat, or will it only take out the holograms from a rotary?

I wan't planning on using a rotary and was hoping the Flex 3401 had the cutting power.



Great question and it shows me you actually read the section instead of scanning it, thank you.

I hate to give fluffy answers but you won’t know until you do a Test Spot. I’ve experienced super hard gel-coats and super soft gel-coats. Pigment can affect hardness but so can the resin a particular boat manufacturer uses, so you won’t know until you do some testing.

:)

[Mike Phillips]

Still can’t type much, on my phone as were driving to Orlando.

Car Detailing Tech Session & Demo at the Ace Café in Orlando! (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/cars-and-coffee/118316-car-detailing-tech-session-demo-ace-caf-orlando.html)


:)

[pbalias]

Great question and it shows me you actually read the section instead of scanning it, thank you.

I hate to give fluffy answers but you won’t know until you do a Test Spot. I’ve experienced super hard gel-coats and super soft gel-coats. Pigment can affect hardness but so can the resin a particular boat manufacturer uses, so you won’t know until you do some testing.

:)

That's a fair reply Mike and totally makes sense, thank you. I'm going to make an attempt with the 3401 and a Purple Foamed Wool pad and see what happens. If it cuts like I need it to, I'll follow it up with a Rupes blue foam then seal. Hopefully that's all it takes.

[jolo]

Purple Foamed Wool pad works great on gelcoat.

[jolo]

Any update? :)