Burnishing the topsides

[BlueSkyNick]

When we bought our boat (1989 - Moody 346) in May this year, the surveyor reported that "the topsides would benefit from burnishing". I have assumed this is an old-salts word for a decent clean and polish.

There is nothing materially wrong - just a slight dullness to the gel coat and a few minor scuffs. She is about to come out of the water for 8 weeks, and this is number 2 job on the list.

I've been planning a straightforward rubbing compound, and then a thorough polish to create a shiny finish. All materials yet to be chosen and purchased, along with an electric polisher (40quid from Halfords).

Is there any more to "burnishing" than this, and if so what am I missing?

Any tips on suitable compounds, polishes and methods?

Happy New Year to all



<hr width=100% size=1>Great News - The evenings are now drawing out!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Nick, b4 getting too violent, you might just try polishing a small section to see whether that is enough. Just use a suiitable cleaner, then polish and elbow grease.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Aeolus_IV]

The last two winters we have been putting off "doing" the topsides by using Farcea (spelling?) G3 and as Ken puts it - lots of elbow grease. Trick with this stuff is to keep the surface and the cloth damp to the point of almost being wet. This works for us as there are at least two layers of paint between me and the gelcoat. Other threads in the past have discussed other compounds - this is just my choice.

Regards, Jeff.

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[VicS]

Yes I would agree with this. Basically you need suitable rubbing compound eg G3, a closed cell foam compounding mop eg Farecla's G-mop and a suitable polishing machine. Hire the machine from a tool hire shop but check the fitting thread size with the mop as they come in imperial and metric (at least they used to) and the machine speed as there is a max limit for the mop, which I would stay well below.

You need to keep the mop wet so a supply of water in a spray or washing up liquid bottle is needed. Water and rubbing compound sprays off the mop so move the car away and be prepared to protect your neighbour's boat.

I found Farecla very helpful. Their phone number is 01920 465041 but they not not seem to haave a web site running at present.

If you are prepared to put in the effort you will not be disappointed. I restored a dull pink hull to a glossy red, so good in fact that at least one other owner in the yard thought it had been sprayed!

There was an article in a recent PBO (Oct or Nov I think) with information on 3M materials but I thought the prices for kits etc excessive.

As said above this topic has been aired before, and more than once. If you do a search on Reader to Reader for "Farecla" you will find what I and others have said previously.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[Mirelle]

Maintenance free?

Ah, well, just the usual quick rub down, coat of undercoat, coat of enamel, and there we are, good as new again....

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[VicS]

B****y good enamel

That's a pretty good enamel if it only needs recoating as infrequently as gel coat needs repolishing. Do let us know what make it is.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[poter]

Nick,
I have just done my Moody 30 (1976) topside with a good gelcoat cleaner and then a straight forward polish. I used a car Tcut polish which apart from being a lot cheaper than the equivilent 'Marine' polish, was recommended by the guys down at Plymouth dockyard.
I must admit to being sceptical, but it worked, however I did have a non slip-coating and some non-slip mats around the foredeck area. These areas & the cockpit were cleaned and then just very lightly buffed. I think you will find that the Moody Gelcoat should be in a good condition, if mine was anything to go by, So dont be to worried about it even if it appears chalky.
The only thing the guys in the yard were worried about was burning the paint/gelcoat with a high speed buffer, so I'm afraid it is better with elbow grease and a few sq meters at a time.
Have a look at
http://www.fairhead.com/peter/pics/page_01.htm

The gelcoat above the water line was just cleaned & polished ...lotsa graft but if you see the befor & after I think you would agree that its a testament to the build quality of Moody's.

By the way whats no 1 job?


poter

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[MainlySteam]

Re: B****y good enamel

Hi Vic

Berthed beside us is a 36 foot (on deck, actually has a bowsprit as well) wooden boat.

I have to concede that it takes less time for him to rub down the whole of his topsides and recoat with enamel that it takes the average frp boated forumite to ask for responses as to how to match colors and how undertake a repair to their gel coat.

I also have to concede that it probably costs him less to do so than it costs us to have a minor paint ding (from others you understand!) repaired in our own fully faired and polyurethaned topsides.

John

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[BlueSkyNick]

Thanks for all the advice.

No. 1 job is to have the log impellor replaced, No.3 is antifouling, then she can go back in the oggin - hoorah !

<hr width=100% size=1>Great News - The evenings are now drawing out!

 

[Joe_Cole]

The best polish I've ever used on my topsides is Lidl's "Stainless Steel Cleaner". Last year I ran out of my usual stuff and SHMBO suggested that I tried it. Wonderful stuff and dirt cheap too. I'll use it again before the boat goes back in the water.

Joe

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[jimi]

Excellent idea .. I've always wondered about the feasibility of a stainless steel boat .. was it made in Sheffield?

<hr width=100% size=1>.. when's that again, but ..

 

[Joe_Cole]

Nahh!

I'ld never have a boat that was made in Yorkshire!

I think I'll prepare to avoid incoming flack now.


Joe

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[jimi]

Must have a cutter rig though, surely?

<hr width=100% size=1>.. when's that again, but ..

 

[Joe_Cole]

Cutlery Rig from Sheffield, surely?

Joe

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[mfhmfh]

Just finished my rather dull Nautiucat 44 hull with Farcela and G3. Excellent result. Buy a polisher from Screwfix for £14,(the same as the Halfords) also lots of spare bonnets and a Water Mister to keep the mops, just damp. Professional polishers are expensive (£120 +) because of their very slow revolutions. I did try hiring one but it was damn heavy. Found the cheapo Screwfix number did the job just as well
Do NOT be tempted to try a cheap large diamater angle grinder. The speed is far to much, and as well as scattering your cutting paste round the boatyard could burn through the gelcoat.

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[BlueSkyNick]

Thanks to this excellent advice, I bought a polisher from Screwfix, for £14 as you suggested. It turned up in less than 24hours ! Only snag is that I can't find the replacement bonnets in the catalogue, and I doubt that the free one provided will last very long on a 34foot hull. Any tips on where I can buy the bonnets?

As an aside, Screwfix supplied a welcome gift with my first purchase - a spirit level. I am struggling for ideas as to how to make use of this on a boat! (I already have one at home) Never mind, its the thought that counts, eh?

<hr width=100% size=1>OK - Get Fell In you 'orrible lot! There's wine to be drunk!

 

[jimi]

Spirit levels are very useful on a boat
1) Ensuring ample supply of rum
2)Measuring crew morale
3)Establishing extent of haunting
4)Verifying if you AVS has been achieved

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..