3M Marine Finess IT Finishing Material

[cmedsailor]

I am a bit confused on how to use this material. I know it is a polish without wax so my plan is to use it and then apply wax.
HOWEVER, do I need to use a rubbing compound first or can I just use it right after washing the boat? It's not a "cleaner", so will it clean the fiberglass (from light oxidation, gloss fadeness etc) or do I need to use something else first?

Thanks

 

[northwind]

I am a bit confused on how to use this material. I know it is a polish without wax so my plan is to use it and then apply wax.
HOWEVER, do I need to use a rubbing compound first or can I just use it right after washing the boat? It's not a "cleaner", so will it clean the fiberglass (from light oxidation, gloss fadeness etc) or do I need to use something else first?

Thanks

Is there much oxidation on the gel coat? I used it as a second stage on a very dull gel coat, and then waxed with their finishing wax.

My plan this year is to clean the hull, go over it with Finesse finishing material and then wax again.

 

[cmedsailor]

Is there much oxidation on the gel coat? I used it as a second stage on a very dull gel coat, and then waxed with their finishing wax.

My plan this year is to clean the hull, go over it with Finesse finishing material and then wax again.

Not much oxidation. There are places though (for instance near the bow) where the hull has lost it's shine and it's a bit yellow (dirt?) which a usual boat soap cannot clean easily (and I am not a body builder).

PS: How will you clean the hull? Boat shampoo/soap?

 

[gjgm]

I am a bit confused on how to use this material. I know it is a polish without wax so my plan is to use it and then apply wax.
HOWEVER, do I need to use a rubbing compound first or can I just use it right after washing the boat? It's not a "cleaner", so will it clean the fiberglass (from light oxidation, gloss fadeness etc) or do I need to use something else first?

Thanks

Not easy to grasp what 3m are up to, sometimes. They seem to do such a range of products, it is hard to see what follows what.
I think this is a fine finishing polish
Here is one suggested use
http://www.boatsupplies.co.uk/3m_product_catalogue/pdf/COMPOUNDS.pdf

or you could try in here !
http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/MarineSolutions/

 

[northwind]

Not much oxidation. There are places though (for instance near the bow) where the hull has lost it's shine and it's a bit yellow (dirt?) which a usual boat soap cannot clean easily (and I am not a body builder).

PS: How will you clean the hull? Boat shampoo/soap?

Probably just some car wash, key is to ensure the surface is free from dirt / salt.

The finesse it has a slight cutting action.

 

[nigelmercier]

... it is a polish without wax ... do I need to use a rubbing compound ... It's not a "cleaner" ...

The terms polish, cleaner, rubbing compound etc are all names for different grades of the same thing: an abrasive. The one you start with depends on the severity of the problem.

 

[VicS]

I am a bit confused on how to use this material. I know it is a polish without wax so my plan is to use it and then apply wax.
HOWEVER, do I need to use a rubbing compound first or can I just use it right after washing the boat? It's not a "cleaner", so will it clean the fiberglass (from light oxidation, gloss fadeness etc) or do I need to use something else first?

Thanks

Do a Google search for 3M Finesse-it and you should be able to find all the info and a video on using this product.

You should start with a clean surface ie one that was been throughly washed whatever product you use.

Finesse-it is the final stage of compounding before waxing. If the oxidation is very light it may be all that is necessary but if severe you will have to start with a more abrasive material.


personally not used 3m products. Previously used Farecla but at present have Star Brite.

 

[Jurgen]

Used this product on the dash of my MOBO, good in areas where there is light dullness, follow up with wax and your good to go. I use 3M rubbing compound on more stubborn areas applied by hand then wash, polish & wax.

Might be worth considering a polishing machine for large areas but avoid the 12v Halfords products, a good Silverline polishing machine from force 4 should be less than £60 but be gentle with it and start in a place where you wont see the gel coat to get used to the feel of it.

Once mastered it saves a lot of time and effort.

Good luck

 

[VicS]

+1 on the Silverline sander polisher but cheaper from Toolstation

 

[Jurgen]

+1 on the Silverline sander polisher but cheaper from Toolstation

Think I paid £54 for mine but that was a year ago,alternative is to borrow/hire 1 from a local forumite

 

[VicS]

Think I paid £54 for mine but that was a year ago,alternative is to borrow/hire 1 from a local forumite

I actually bought mine from Force 4 several years ago .. I forget how much I paid ( around the £50 mark or a little less IIRC) Impulse buy while in the shop getting other stuff.

Current price at Toolstaion is £39.98

If you find one to hire it will probably be a big and heavy pro model compared with the Siverline one . Hiring seems expensive these days too. I spent ages tracking down a lazy tongs riveter to hire a few years ago. In the end bought one from Toolstation for about the cost of two days hire.

 

[Jurgen]

I actually bought mine from Force 4 several years ago .. I forget how much I paid ( around the £50 mark or a little less IIRC) Impulse buy while in the shop getting other stuff.

Current price at Toolstaion is £39.98

If you find one to hire it will probably be a big and heavy pro model compared with the Siverline one . Hiring seems expensive these days too. I spent ages tracking down a lazy tongs riveter to hire a few years ago. In the end bought one from Toolstation for about the cost of two days hire.

When I suggested Hire I had a figure of £5 to £10 in mind i.e a drink