Ranger Bass Boat minor scratch removal

[Hoytman]

I started a thread here http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/42967-sanding-papers-needed-upcoming-job.html back in November requesting some suggestions for sanding papers that I could use to remove some minor scratches in this boat.


Ten year old Ranger Bass Boat

This is my first show 'n shine.

This was for a veteran and friend that I've known since I was about 5 years old. He wanted a wash and wax at first, but then asked me if it were possible would I mind repairing a few spots that had scratches only along the top of the boat. These areas were where the trolling motor cables rubbed against the gel-coat. I told him I thought they'd have to be sanded out, and he gave me the green light.

I took it upon myself to take additional time to remove some other minor scratching along the top-rail from the bump guard up and the entire length of the boat. Of course, we started with the least aggressive first by doing a couple of test spots with a cutting pad and M105, which didn't yield much correction at all. It ended up taking 1500, 2000, and M105 to get the results we were seeking. The end result was a very satisfied friend.

As you can see in the photo below there is a very deep scratch next to the cleet that could not be removed. You can also see some verticle scratches just above the letter "a" in Ranger. I washed the boat, and cleaned the carpets with Folex to get things started.
Photo taken before washing.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_01.jpg



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_02_2_.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_03.jpg



In the photo below you can see the dirt that collect behing the windshield.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_04.jpg



The carpet had a bunch of yellow stains from a dye used to color plastic worms. These spots were tough to remove. All of them didn't come out, but they were much less visible. I used APC+ 4:1, then Folex. The owner was quite satisfied with the results.
Photo taken before the cleaning. Wish I could have had better lighting, and a better camera to get after photo's.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ragner_Boat_05.jpg


The boat needs washing in this photo.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_06.jpg\




http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Range_Boat_07.jpg

More dirt, RIDS, and minor scratches. We were successful at removing the scratches to the right of the deep one on the left.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_08.jpg

Dirty wheels. Mothers All Wheel Cleaner did a fabulous job cleaning these rims up, and made the brown crud roll off of fairly new tires.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_09.jpg



Now to the scratches by the trolling motor.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_10.jpg


That rubber coated sleeve is what caused all of this.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_11.jpg


Another look at what needed attention.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_12.jpg

I really wish I would have taken more time to photograph this entire process. This was my first try at doing something like this. I did two test sections with a cutting pad and M105 that told me I'd need to use sandpaper to remedy this. All sanding was done by hand (no machine) with 3M wet/dry 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper with a foam sanding pad and some UWW+ as a lubricant. Not only did I sand the obvious spots in the pictures I took the liberty to address all the scratches along the top-rail. I just thought it would really help this boat pop. Besides, my name was going on the job. The sanding process was 5.5 hours...by arm and hammer baby.

After the sanding the boat was re-cleaned with UWW+, all (anything black or chrome) plastic trim, rub-rails, lights, gauges, and electronics were then taped off, or covered up with rags, before the polishing was started. Some scratches were simply much too deep, but the owner was informed that I felt I could at least make them look better. Here's my results.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_13.jpg



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_14.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_15.jpg

Get the carboard and the kreeper out and finish the bottom man!!! Just look at that shiney hull.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_16.jpg

The trailor was cleaned and sealed as well. I have about 18 hours in this over several weeks because of finals at college and inclimate weather below 40 degrees. Thank goodness for an owner who knew this may take some time to complete in advance and didn't mind. He was tickled pink when it was done, and said the boat hadn't looked that good since he bought it 10 years ago.

Here it is again.
Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_10.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_12.jpg


After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_13.jpg


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_11.jpg


After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_14.jpg

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1340/medium/800_Ranger_Boat_15.jpg


Products & Equipment Used
Meguiar's APC+
Ultima Waterless Wash +
6.75 Craftsmen shop-vac
3M 1500/2000 wet/dry paper w/foam sanding pad and UWW+ as a lube
3M painters tape
Meguiar's G110v2
Meg's w7006 w/M105
Meg's w8006 w/M205
Ultima Tire and Trim Guard on plastic trim, then opti-sealed as well
Opti-seal on fiberglass
Lots of arm and hammer

Any and all questions/comments are welcomed.

Thanks for looking!:buffing:

[C. Charles Hahn]

That looks great, Bill! Super gloss, and the metal flake in that paint really pops!

[Hoytman]

That looks great, Bill! Super gloss, and the metal flake in that paint really pops!

Thanks Charlie. I've got many to thank for my success on this boat.

A big thanks to all those who have made my efforts possible. Those who inspired me and those who endured the many pm's and phone calls.

In no particular order:

Mike Phillips
Laura
Garry Dean
Shiny Lil' Detlr
07 zoh 6
Richy
Superior Shine (Joe)
BobbyG

I thank all of you for being there for me when I had questions.

[Hoytman]

:bump2:


:bolt:

[Mike Phillips]

Excellent work and documentation on your process.

I love the large flake finish boats like this have. I have a local guy with a Triton TR 186 with a large silver metallic finish that's offered to bring his boat to the studio for an extreme makeover. Might have to give him a call when things slow down. He's also pulls his boat with a beautiful classic Ford F150 with a black finish in dire need of polishing too...


Nice work Bill, thanks for sharing...


Why do I feel like going fishing all of a sudden?



:dblthumb2:

[richy]

Bill...Congrats for popping your cherry on your first S & S!! And what a job you did for it too! Woohoo. That is a difficult job b/c you have no idea how much clear is on that bad boy. You did a great job finishing it down after the 2000. Did it take you a long time? If so, try to go over it one more time (lightly) with 3000 next time and see if that doesn't cut down your compounding time for you. Again, congrats on a great job!

[Hoytman]

Excellent work and documentation on your process.

I love the large flake finish boats like this have. I have a local guy with a Triton TR 186 with a large silver metallic finish that's offered to bring his boat to the studio for an extreme makeover. Might have to give him a call when things slow down. He's also pulls his boat with a beautiful classic Ford F150 with a black finish in dire need of polishing too...


Nice work Bill, thanks for sharing...


Why do I feel like going fishing all of a sudden?



:dblthumb2:

Always take time to go fishing Mike, and take some kids with you when you go.

I already see room for improvement for the next time. I certainly wish it hadn't been raining (forcasted for several days) so I could have moved the boat outside for photo's.

Next time I want to take better close-up shots of my work, and I need to get a camera asap. There were other areas along the top side that got the treatment, but I didn't photograph those (mainly because of light issues, and time constraints).

One thing I can say, being around boats all of my life really helped me on this job. The reason I say this is, I've seen enough boats with chipped gel-coat to get a feel for how much sanding I could get away with. I am certain that the amount of sanding I did on this boat would have gone completely into, and maybe through the paint on a car. The gel-coat is soft, but hard compared to clearcoat paint. Perhaps that isn't the best way to explain it, but it's simply different.




Bill...Congrats for popping your cherry on your first S & S!! And what a job you did for it too! Woohoo. That is a difficult job b/c you have no idea how much clear is on that bad boy. You did a great job finishing it down after the 2000. Did it take you a long time? If so, try to go over it one more time (lightly) with 3000 next time and see if that doesn't cut down your compounding time for you. Again, congrats on a great job!


I spent 5.5 hours hand sanding, and around 17-18 hrs to finish (everything...wash, carpets were filled with red Alabama clay, tape, sand, re-wash, and buff). The request for scratch removal turned a 6-8 hour job into more than I wanted, but it was worth it in the end.

I'm certain your suggestion of using 3000 will lessen the amount of buffing time. I actually tried to buy some 3000 grit papers when I bought the other supplies, but the local store was out of 3000.

I informed the owner before starting that many scratches were simply too deep to remove without compromising the gel-coat. He too was aware that some scratches were just too deep. It's a fishing boat, and they get battle scars if you use them like true fisherman do.

The photo's I took were of the two worst locations on the top-side. In the right light, at the correct angle, you can actually see where all of the scratches didn't come out, but I got dang close. I tried to photograph it with my cheap phone, but I just couldn't seem to get the angle right.

I also informed the owner that it may be possible to completely remove the deeper scratches, but at this point I felt it best to stop. There was plenty of gel-coat left, but I didn't want to chance anything being my first time doing this, and he'd have something left to work with should he not fix the issue (of the trolling motor scratching it) and possibly need the boat buffed out again. After explaining this to the owner, and showing him the progress, we both were satisfied. His goal was just to make them look better, which we certainly accomplished.

This was supposed to be just a wash and wax. Then the owner asked my about trying to fix the scratches. I didn't have to try, but I didn't mind because I knew it would be a great experience and I could document it. I only wish I'd have taken more time to do a better job photographing the stages of progress.

Thanks for the compliments fellas. I've learned a tremendous amount, and my learning curve us just starting.