Cutting/Polishing/Waxing

[MarieK]

Hi

I have read as much as I can on gelcoat maintenance but I keep being told different things on what is best and what I would appreciate is for someone to tell me which products to buy and how to use them.

I have a 4 year old boat, the white gelcoat is in perfect condition, no scratches or hazing but its dull and has lots of streaking. What is the best course of action to get it back to original and then seal in the finish. Also I want to buy a polisher/buffer to take out some of the work, what should I look for, again a specific product would be helpful. I have read about too high an rpm burning the gel etc so I have some trepidation.

I realise this is rather a large topic but help is appreciated.

Thanks
Ryan

Thanks
Ryan

 

[Nick_H]

The dullness is due to oxidation from exposure to air and sunlight, and this makes the surface "powdery" so it retains dirt, hence the streaks.

If it's only 4 yrs old, it almost certainly just needs a polish. Most of the products you read about (colour restorer, rubbing compound, easy scrub etc.) are just polish of differing grades, but I don't think you'll need the coarser grades for a 4 yr old boat. Everyone has their own favourite polish, but i'm not sure there's that much difference, so long as you choose a reputable brand.

When you've polished it, you can wax it, which creates a barrier to reduce further oxidation.

Polishing is hard labour, so you want the lightest polishing machine you can afford. The cheap rotary machines are very heavy, the orbital one's aren't but are less effective, although they will help on the larger flatter areas. If you go for a rotary machine, then as you say you also need lower speeds to avoid burning the gel coat.

 

[gjgm]

unless its coloured gel which tends to fade, you shouldnt need to cut anything back at 4 years, so I d start with polish.
Starbrite or someone do a black streak remover.. maybe there are some non marine products, but I still have the same bottle after years and years!
Silverline do a £50 polisher, but get plenty of sponge/mop heads, as they shred if you catch a cleat or something.
I m not too sure that theres alot of difference in the products,and generally they only vary by a few quid, so take your pick. 3m fibreglass restorer seems well reviewed, if you want a name.
So the polishing brings up the shine...but dont take off too much gelcoat!
After that, the wax simply protects the surface. Two choices here tend to be ease of use, and longevity of the the finish. Hard to assess the latter, but I ve found MacGuires very easy to put on,buff off. Certainly easy by hand.
As I say, it seems a bit black art, this topic. Everyone has their favourites!

Best thing is upkeep. Only takes a few minutes to run round the boat after a wash with a moist wax cloth, and use a wash and wax shampoo.

 

[Nick_H]

The problem with the Silverline, and other budget machines, is that they are so heavy. When polishing a boat, you normally have to polish areas above head height, and my arms would be dropping off after just a few minutes. I prefer the cheap Halfords orbital type, the ones with a handle either side, because they're so much lighter. You can't get into the nooks and crannies, but overall it makes the job easier. Forget the chocolate teapot re-chargeable ones though.

 

[gjgm]

get a ladder /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Actually, I agree its heavy, and I wouldnt are to use one for a living or on a large boat, but I ve found it pretty ok. I did have one of those double handle ones, and I chucked it into the bin, but maybe it was a rubbish one...
No, I ve really found the Silverline ok...

 

[Nick_H]

I have a Silverline, but the guy I got to do the polishing refused to use it (he then phoned his boss to see if he could borrow one of the company machines, and was promptly fired for moonlighting, but that's another story /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

The double handle ones are OK if you don't press too hard. If you do, then you can stop the motor, as they're not very powerful, but as long as you go easy, they make short work of the bigger areas. Buy the biggest wattage, of course.

 

[gjgm]

I have a Silverline, but the guy I got to do the polishing refused to use it
*********

oi oi, we dont take second hand references here, you know.
First hand only, please.

 

[sarabande]

you can take a line from the polisher up and around a stanchion, then make it fast back on itself with a prussic knot.

The polisher then is used in a big arc to and fro, and easily adjusted up and down.

Metabo are the best p[olishers by far. Excellent speed variation, well balanced and doesn't overheat.

 

[markdj]

We have a Sealey and a Silverline - the silverline has a better grip, is lighter and keeps the speed more constant and was much cheaper.

We did have a double handed job but it was worse than useless - it vibrated more than turning as any pressure on the large face made it grind to a halt. The face held dirt on it - a bad job.

For products, if the gel is a mat finish then you need to polish with Autoglym 03B fine abrasive.

If the surface is just lightly oxidised then use Autoglym Radiant Wax with the rotary at 1500rpm or thereabouts - use plenty of wax as too little and you will have a job buffing it but if you keep the surface nice and wet with wax then it buffs real easy after drying.

Finish with a protective coat of Extra Gloss Protection. Quick and simple to apply with a cloth, leave for an hour and then buff off.

 

[oceandrive]

I have found one of the best preporations is to wash the boat off with a product called suma scale. this is a de scaler available in the med but I supose any similar product would work well. Type of stuff you use for de scaling a dish washer etc. wash the whole boat with a light detergent not boat cleaner. Then de scale as above. after that dull areas can be compounded with a foam compounding pad we use 3M fast cut after that use 3M fines-it which is a finishing compound and polish combind. I guarantee you will be amased. We have a constant flow of boat owners aproaching us asking what products we use to get the finishes we do. The only secret is for gel to shine it has to be compleatly flat and smooth. the other good tip as above is to keep the pad on the machine damp use an old spray container or nick an old Mister muscle container from the SWMBOs Kitchen. Some body above mentioned using a line to suport the polisher and take the weight if it's a big boat we do this as well and for topsides this works well. Polishers we use the machine Mart ones cheep as chips curent one done about ten boats all over 50' without a hitch also the pads are only about £4 a go so little accidents like hitting a canopy fastner with the foam pad dont hurt the wallet like the £20 a go expensive polishers. Good look it's hard work but very rewarding. You will need a few of these after the jobs done /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif