Boat Detailing

[aroberts109]

So, I know that this is AUTOgeek, but I figure that some of the same principals apply, and many of the experts, may also do boats as well.

So here it goes... I have a 40' 4 year old blue sailboat that is starting to show its age (some areas like the bow are quite bad, it spent two of the 4 winters down in Florida). It is gel coat, not Awlgrip or some other paint product. I have a plethera of tools to help (PC 8", Cyclopolisher, PC DA) and have bought a selection of foam pads for the various devices... anyone have suggestions as to techniques or products to use?

Thanks in advanced.

[Nuke33]

Im planing on useing Poli-seal on my boat and topping it with colonite wax, I was wondering if i could use Optimum Polish on it bit i was not sure

[articsilber323]

should work

[Moxie]

3M makes a product called Imperial Compound which is very popular in my area. Collinite is the best LSP for boats IMP. I will be using 845 but the folks at Collinte have told me the 885 is actually a little more durable. My boat is in pretty good shape so I will be claying followed by 3M Finesse-it and Collinite 845 as an LSP. I use my PC for all steps but it will take you quite a long time on a 40' boat.

[aroberts109]

Thanks for the replies, I'm heading down later this week, I have 3 full days to do this and some other misc work on the boat, hopefull will be enough time!

[aroberts109]

OK, so just to follow up on the thread... My process was:
1. Two Passes with 3M Imperial Microfinishing Compound on an PC 7424 with an orange pad
2. Two Passes with Colonite 920 Boat Cleaner on PC 7424 with an orage pad
3. Two Passes with Colonite 925 Wax on Hitachi Obital with Grey Pad

Picture attached is the test section on the bow, with the left half untouched, right half compounded and cleaned, not waxed... wish I took pics of the finished job....

[Tex Star Detail]

I have used 3M #9007 and #9006 with great success.
Used with a rotary with a wool pad..
Few pics of a house boat I buffed out....

You can see where I stopped buffing...
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g187/texstardetail/houseboat2009.jpg

Here is a before shot. Whole boat was flat white and blue. (Note the top of the boat with the blue stripe...)
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g187/texstardetail/houseboat009.jpg

After buffing with 3M and a wool pad..
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g187/texstardetail/houseboat2010.jpg

[Moxie]

Nice work. I bet the boat came out really nice.