Boat hazing

[leadthrower21]

Hello, I have a 2001 Mastercraft X-30 in red/white that I'm trying to clean up a bit. I've detailed a few cars with great results; but I'm having trouble getting a clear finish looking through the reflection at my work lights.

Round one I tried to use Collinite #920 with gray/white CCS 5.5in pads on a PC 7424. I was unable to get a clear finish on either pad, even after trying wax on top. It did remove the swirls/water spots well though. Straight on it appears clear enough, but looking at the reflection shows the gelcoat isn't quite clear still. It appears 'hazy', almost like a really really fine wetsand.

Yesterday I tried to use Meguiars #45 high gloss polish with a blue pad, but ended up with the same result.

Am I still attacking this too hard, or am I expecting too much from gelcoat? Is my pad not lubed enough? I thought about purchasing microfiber bonnets and trying those. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Perfections]

Got any pics? 920's a good cleaner but won't pull out rough oxidation to well. Might need to step up the aggression if it's been neglected.

[leadthrower21]

No pictures at the moment, I can get some tomorrow. It's not oxidized (at least, I don't think so. Comparing with my boss' slightly older mastercraft it's in GREAT shape.) It just leaves a rough-ish finish when looking through the reflection. I was looking to reduce the water spots and swirling, but not if it's going to do this.

[Perfections]

Yea a pic would help bigtime then :) try and get it as close as possible to the defects maybe from different angles

[leadthrower21]

I'll try to get some tomorrow. Something I forgot to add, on the unpolished areas, it appears clearer than the polished area, albeit with more swirls/water spots.

[Perfections]

I'll try to get some tomorrow. Something I forgot to add, on the unpolished areas, it appears clearer than the polished area, albeit with more swirls/water spots.

Ahh now that you say that it brings back memories of the first time I used 920, try this, take a mf with a very small amount of 920 on it, rub it in a small circle and immediately take it off and see if it's clear now. If this fixes it let me know and I'll tell you how to fix the rest of the boat in a hurry :)

[master detailer]

you need to use a wool pad and a lower grit comp. also you can wet sand it with 1000 grit then buff . leave sand papper in h2o for 1 hr before sanding and use a block.west marine as 800 grit comp its called buff magic best you call get its pink and can get a small can for 25.00. when there get some pro polish sealer .20.00

[Mike Phillips]

Hello, I have a 2001 Mastercraft X-30 in red/white that I'm trying to clean up a bit. I've detailed a few cars with great results; but I'm having trouble getting a clear finish looking through the reflection at my work lights.




Kind of like this?


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/2001MastercraftX30.jpg



Before you compound it, if the oxidation is light, I would suggest trying a one-step cleaner/wax with your DA Polisher with either a foam cutting pad or polishing pad. Also, place a tape-line down the side of the hull and only work on one side and see if you can dial in the right speed and pressure to restore a clear, high gloss finish.

It seems to me that sometimes gel-coats and old lacquer paints react best to high speed buffing.

Any good cleaner/wax would probably be good to try, Meguiar's #6 or the M50 if you have them... XMT 360, Mother's cleaner/wax, Optimum Poli-Seal, or any reputable cleaner/wax. Preferably a liquid.

If that doesn't do anything then like master detailer posted, try a light compound with a foam cutting pad on your DA Polisher.

I have not tired the Microfiber DA Pads on gel-coats yet but I have my boat here today so maybe I'll give it a try. Might not be able to get to it till tomorrow though.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

I'm not sure if this list is up to date, I posted the below article on 02-03-2010 but these are protection products that also clean.


Cleaner/Waxes
Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60 (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-sealing-wax.html)
Collinite Paste Sapphire Auto Wax #73SS (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-sapphire-73ss.html)
Mothers California Gold Original Formula Carnauba Cleaner Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolorf.html)
Poorboy’s World Polish with Carnauba (BLUE) (http://www.autogeek.net/poorboys-polish-blue.html)
Poorboy's World Polish with 100% Carnauba (http://www.autogeek.net/pbpwc12.html)
Collinite Liquid Sapphire Auto Wax SS216 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-sapphire-wax-ss126.html)
Dodo Juice Need For Speed Cleaner Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/cleaner-wax-polish-500.html)


Cleaner/Sealants
XMT 360 All In One Cleaner Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-360.html)
Griot's Garage One-Step Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-one-step-sealant.html)
Klasse All-In-One Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/klasseallinone.html)
Duragloss Polish & Cleaner 101 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-polish---cleaner.html)
Finish Kare 215 One Step Cleaner & Surface Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-215--cleaner-wax.html)
Finish Kare 2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-2180-paint-sealant.html)
Optimum Poli-Seal (http://www.autogeek.net/poli-seal.html)
Mother's FX Synwax Paste (http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-fx-synwax-paste-wax.html)
Mother's FX Synwax Liquid (http://www.autogeek.net/mo20016.html)
Mother's Reflections Advanced Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/mo10016.html)
Wheel Wax Glacier Polish & Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/wheel-wax-polish-sealant.html)
3M One Step Cleaner Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/3m39006.html)


Taken from here,

The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23263-difference-between-cleaner-wax-finishing-wax.html)

Subtitle: How To Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project



:)

[Perfections]

I have not tired the Microfiber DA Pads on gel-coats yet but I have my boat here today so maybe I'll give it a try. Might not be able to get to it till tomorrow though.


:)

The mf pads work great, if there's serious oxidation the pink d300 will look like it's staining the gelcoat, after your done making your first completed section pass, just clean the pad add more product and keep cutting, once all the oxidation is gone you will notice the d300 wipes off easily now.

[Mike Phillips]

The mf pads work great, if there's serious oxidation the pink D300 will look like it's staining the gel-coat, after your done making your first completed section pass, just clean the pad add more product and keep cutting, once all the oxidation is gone you will notice the D300 wipes off easily now.

Figured as much... just haven't tried it yet... probably somewhat similar to working on oxidized single stage paint.

I did buff out the land yacht which has single stage paint using the Microfiber DA Correction System and it worked really well.


If you look closely, the paint on the passenger side fender is clear and glossy, that's because it was repainted with a basecoat/clearcoat system, the rest of the car has an older single stage paint that has dulled from oxidation and lack of any regular maintenance.

One of my goals was to maximize the gloss and clarity of the single stage paint surrounding the passenger fender so the car would have a uniform, clear, high gloss appearance.

I'll try to do the write-up for this car in the near future, this belonged to the Caddy King (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/25285-caddy-king-s-hidden-collection-1959-cadillacs.html) and I've heard he's since sold it.


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/932/CaddyBeforeAfter01.jpg

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/932/CaddyBeforeAfter02.jpg


Kind of a boat...

:D

[Perfections]

I'll try to do the write-up for this car in the near future, this belonged to the Caddy King (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/25285-caddy-king-s-hidden-collection-1959-cadillacs.html) and I've heard he's since sold it.



Always a pleasure to read your write ups, always looking to learn something new and your always so detailed I usually do :)




Kind of a boat...



Lol for sure!

[leadthrower21]

Beautiful Caddy Mike :xyxthumbs:

Here are the pictures as requested, the first picture is of the left side "texture", which has been untouched to keep a base to compare to.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5910412285_f5013ac26c_b.jpg

Right side, a bit of blurriness is apparent, I'm unsure if others will see it
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5910409877_467362ab9e_b.jpg


This is the left side again with my best effort to show off the reflection
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/5910403771_8bbd75d06b_b.jpg

Right side
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5318/5910964610_bb9a759e89_b.jpg


And finally, here is the application of the Collinite 920 with a microfiber, these have been adjusted to show off the hazing a little more. It's most apparent against the sunlit areas. In person it's very apparent if you're looking for it.

Left
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5314/5910955350_ff21589ac1_b.jpg

Right
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5910400769_11da78e8ea_b.jpg


On that last one, the curved whiteness near the piece of white debris is what I'm talking about.

Edit: Perfections, what was the method you were talking about if the 920 and microfiber worked? I'm curious.

[Perfections]

The very first time I used 920 on a very slightly oxidized boat I noticed it wasnt very clear compared to the untreated side, which surprised me as I thought 920 would work kinda like a cleaner wax. But in the tradition of collinite even the cleaner must be applied SUPER thin and best applied in decently small areas then taken off. If you wanna clear it up either reapply in small areas thin or just run over it with a cleaner wax like megs marine cw which is the fastest way :)

[leadthrower21]

Alright, I'll shop around the cleaner waxes that Mike posted. I wouldn't mind having one step for this baby whale.

Thanks for your help guys!