View Full Version : Boat detailing must haves
MikeN
02-24-2013, 03:17 PM
Hey fellow geekers. I was recently contacted about detailing a boat for someone (not my 1st one) and just wanted too see what you all find to be a "must have" product/products to make the job come out that much better. This job could branch out into a few others as well as some account work so I really want to hit a home run on it.
Thanks in advance
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MPBGT
02-24-2013, 03:21 PM
I usually have old wooden boats so I don't have any experience trying to bring back fiberglass, but on vinyl seats and interior pieces you can't beat Spray 9 cleaner and 303 Aerospace to finish it off.
jgibson2980
02-24-2013, 05:38 PM
Good subject to adress . Its almost spring time and I have costumers asking for boat detailing also.
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OMRebel
02-24-2013, 05:55 PM
Collinite 850 Metal Wax is a must for the stainless.
rmagnus
02-24-2013, 06:36 PM
A strong back and a good ladder!
What are the details about the boat?
bulldog shine
02-24-2013, 08:37 PM
Mike gave me great advice. Meg's 50, it is a cleaner/wax. It worked great on a boat I just did.
nashvegas
02-24-2013, 09:08 PM
Collinite 850 Metal Wax is a must for the stainless.
+1 and the 303 mentioned previously is really good as well.
Hoytman
02-24-2013, 09:40 PM
Must haves are very personal and user specific and therefore are variable from person to person. So, here's a list of quality products that you can take your pick from. Doesn't hurt to have many of them available.
Rotary...is the work horse on gel-coat, but doable with a DA with much added elbow grease. (Most will own a dual action polisher also.)
Wool cutting pads
Wool polishing pads
Foam cutting pads
Foam polishing pads
Pad spur
Foam pad cleaning brush
Assortment of tapes, if you like, or just pick one.
3M original blue painters tape
3M green automotive tape
3M yellow vynil #471
Assortment of products of your choice.
3M super duty
3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Glaze
3M Finesse-It II and/or Perfect-It Finishing Polish
Meguiar's M91
Meguiar's M67
Meguiar's M45
Buff Magic White and Pink
Buff Magic Pro Polish and sealant
Collinite 925
Collinite 920
Collinite 885
Collinite 850
Collinite 845
3M Marine paste wax
Meguiar's Flagship Cleaner wax (Tad stronger than M50)
Meguiar's Flagship Wax
Deck wax=Woody Wax
There are numerous products on the market that could fill this list, but these are some that I've used as well as others that I know are used by professional boat "people" on the Great Lakes.
Whatsvtec
02-25-2013, 05:12 AM
Meguiar's 67 one step marine/rv compound. Aggressive enough to remove very heavy oxidation with an orange pad on a d/a. High-tech enough to finish in one step.
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MikeN
02-25-2013, 08:14 AM
Thanks for all the tips. Really helpful. All I know is that the boat is a 25 footer, I'm hoping to go view it in the next week or 2 so I can formulate a game plan
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Whatsvtec
02-26-2013, 07:36 PM
Thanks for all the tips. Really helpful. All I know is that the boat is a 25 footer, I'm hoping to go view it in the next week or 2 so I can formulate a game plan
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Be sure to double check that it is indeed gelcoat and not a basecoat/clearcoat
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Bamafire
02-26-2013, 07:43 PM
Be sure to double check that it is indeed gelcoat and not a basecoat/clearcoat
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How can you tell if it's a basecoat/ clearcoat or gel coat?
Derrick
02-26-2013, 08:31 PM
Most fiberglass boats are gelcoat. Aluminum boats are aluminum.:buffing:
I don't think there are not many basecoat/clearcoat boats an average person can afford.
Derrick
Whatsvtec
02-26-2013, 08:39 PM
I've worked on more than 1 base/clear, so just check to see if the owner knows. A good way to check is by taking some rubbing compound on a towel and seeing if color from the gelcoat comes off when you rub the compound on the the spot of color.
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MikeN
02-27-2013, 05:04 PM
Be sure to double check that it is indeed gelcoat and not a basecoat/clearcoat
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What's the difference in the detailing process?
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