Been polishing

[Marine Reflections]

handy thread!

Carnouba wax.... ive a question.

Im also waiting for a break in the weather to do some polishing on some fibreglass gelcoat needing some TLC.
Ive got 2 bottles - Meguiars Carnouba Wax and also Meguiars gold Class - which is a finer carnouba based product i believe.

both gave a good result on the small areas i tested them on - i assume any product for wax/polishing with carnouba in it is generally a good choice?

No..

Although very good products, the ones you have are really for protection.

As your gelcoat needs some TLC, I would strongly advise you correct this first. Once you have a decent reflection, then you can break out the wax. If it needs TLC then give it TLC.

The wax may seem to be doing a decent job on your test patches but I can confirm that they are merely filling in the highs and lows and creating a false surface reflection.

You would be better off with a fine correction product such as Farecla g10 or finesse it II from 3M first.

To answer to question of which is the finer of the two, or what is the difference between them in the car world.. out of the two products you have, the Gold class is more for repeated applications, ease of application and a better reflection (say on darker paintwork) where as the Megs Carnauba wax offers more durability. What the difference would be on fibreglass gel coat I don't know.

I use Megs paintwork cleaner on my vans black paintwork as a pre-wax stage, but again when it comes to protection the liquid forms cannot compete with the harder pastes.

Meguiars offer a decent paste wax with polymers if you like the products, Meguiars ultimate paste wax.
They also offer a marine range which is very good.

 

[symondo]

No..

Although very good products, the ones you have are really for protection.

As your gelcoat needs some TLC, I would strongly advise you correct this first. Once you have a decent reflection, then you can break out the wax. If it needs TLC then give it TLC.

The wax may seem to be doing a decent job on your test patches but I can confirm that they are merely filling in the highs and lows and creating a false surface reflection.

You would be better off with a fine correction product such as Farecla g10 or finesse it II from 3M first.

To answer to question of which is the finer of the two, or what is the difference between them in the car world.. out of the two products you have, the Gold class is more for repeated applications, ease of application and a better reflection (say on darker paintwork) where as the Megs Carnauba wax offers more durability. What the difference would be on fibreglass gel coat I don't know.

I use Megs paintwork cleaner on my vans black paintwork as a pre-wax stage, but again when it comes to protection the liquid forms cannot compete with the harder pastes.

Meguiars offer a decent paste wax with polymers if you like the products, Meguiars ultimate paste wax.
They also offer a marine range which is very good.

From my knowledge which is more car related - G10, is a cutting agent yes? so in short, take it back flat and then polish/wax in a similar manner to a laquer with gelcoat?

ive not really much experience of working directly on gelcoat as most fibreglass items ive worked with have been painted and laquered

 

[Marine Reflections]

Yes and yes, if poor reflection, then flat - polish with fine - then wax.

G10 from Farecla has an ever so slight cutting ability, the consistency is similar to say salad cream. It doesn't feel gritty between the thumb and fingers, it won't be able to 'flat' though. you will need coarser for that.

Perfect it II from 3M has a similar effect and a consistency of mayonnaise, again no real grit. Out of the two 3M performs better. IMO

It is a similar process as with laquered surfaces but of course the laquer is thinner and softer than gel coat.

 

[Kipper]

View attachment 40213View attachment 40214
like wise.

Its really great to see that boat getting some love, i have walking passed it most weekend for years and just wanted to polish it back to how it was in 2002 when we last went out on it>>

 

[Firefly625]

been polishing again

Yesterday at Chichester brothers boat was lifted at 10am, rubbed down hull and keels, prop shaft and prop, masked up, applied antifoul, polished topsides and coach roof, serviced seacocks, and was back at home by 5.45pm
, just lucky with the weather

 

[rafiki_]

She looks fantastic, well done.

 

[longjohnsilver]

View attachment 40213View attachment 40214
like wise.

Well done, well worth the effort, a complete transformation.

 

[CX54WEK]

We have had Naughty-Cal out for her annual scrub up. It has taken a bit longer than usual this year due to weather and other commitments but after eight weeks hard graft she is ready to relaunch on Friday morning.

Its certainly been worth the effort, although we have both vowed that we will never scrape antifoul off another boat. Definately a job you pay someone else to do! On the plus side she has a lovely smooth bum now

 

[rafiki_]

Lovely job. Well done.

 

[Racingfrank7]

Meguiars offer a decent paste wax with polymers if you like the products, Meguiars ultimate paste wax.
They also offer a marine range which is very good.

Hi there very good of you to share your inside knowledge and a man of my own heart.
I like and use the Meg's marine range and have had good results and lasting results, but I am all ways chasing the ultimate reflection / shine what would you recommend please. My boat is in good shape and all ready has a good shine but I want a reflection like your profile pic !!!!!!
Cheers.
This is how she stands at present

 

[Firefly625]

Been at it again

Yet to give it a finishing coat of wax, but she's looking good, having to use a scaffold tower is such a PITA!

 

[rafiki_]

That is a fantastic finish. Well done!

 

[Firefly625]

That is a fantastic finish. Well done!

Cheers!

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

BLIMEY James ......you really are in the wrong job !!!!!!.... ......... me thinks I,ll "park" T.M. next to you and hope you feel sorry for me !!

 

[sharpness]

Totally agree, your hard work has produced sparkling results in all of your pics James. Is this all with just the Silveryack, or do you use any other product aswell?

 

[Firefly625]

Totally agree, your hard work has produced sparkling results in all of your pics James. Is this all with just the Silveryack, or do you use any other product aswell?

The boats I have polished I have done for a few years so they are all to a standard now that just requires a small amount of fettaling each year. So I don't need any harsh cutting compounds so instead I use a product which our valeting chemical supplier gets me, Sterling Products cut & wax, I use a generous amount with a mop with a compound head. Then the Silveryak I apply as a top sealing coat which does deepen the shine. The pic I have just posted is before Silveryak

 

[Firefly625]

BLIMEY James ......you really are in the wrong job !!!!!!.... ......... me thinks I,ll "park" T.M. next to you and hope you feel sorry for me !!

Steve, I would be more than happy to do TM, and I do mean it. Just need electric and TM, and a couple if hours of dry weather...

 

[[2068]]

I can't complete with some of the mirror finishes on here, but there's always someone else with a shinier boat, somewhere.
My arms hurt!
Many thanks again to Volvo Paul for his work on the outdrives.

 

[Firefly625]

Looks great FP!

 

[paultallett]

FP she looks spot on, shiny as the rest!!