Home for the winter

[bendyone]

HI

I have just brought our Hunter Horizon (1985) home for the winter. It has been afloat for 18 months on the same antifoul – not too bad most just pressure washed off. The keels have some rust showing and patches of the antifoul have flaked off the hull. The hull is yellowed around the water line but above that not too bad. The bottom gelcoat was stripped and epoxyed 5 years ago. The decks are good and clean.

My plan is :-

Removal all the antifoul with removal 610 (or is there a better way).
Clean the hull with a mix of oxalic acid and wallpaper paste.
Treat the keels – what is best to use?
Apply Gelshield to the bottom – how many coats?
Apply something to protect the hull until the spring – any ideas?
In the spring anitfoul and polish the hull – again what is best to polish with.
The coloured tape line round the hull need replaceing - what tape do I use? 25mm wide.

Any recommendations on products to use would be appreciated.


<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by bendyone on 23/10/2004 16:02 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Talbot]

Def use of Removal, preferably sprayed on cause you need a decent depth of the stuff. Leave it overnight, then remove 90% of the crud with a high pressure wash.

Personally dont like stuff on the bottom that might crack like gelshield. I used VC Tar 11 years ago and this gave me a really nice finish, Bu**er to get orf if you want to do something under it, except the removal is supposed to do it, will let you know in a month or so.

I have been using MER for a number of years, putting a thick coat on when hauled and leaving it all smeary until I put another coat and polish off in the spring. I might get it done professionally this year with 3M, although I am tempted by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.poliglowproducts.com/>Poliglow</A>

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[MIKE_MCKIE]

Can't answer most of it, but got some Poliglow earlier this year & did some of the hatch & coachroof of my boat. I had initially been advised by a professional of some considerable standing that he would not touch the deckhouse, it was far to far gone, & to get it re-gelcoated. I could not face either the cost, nor the time & inconvenience, so thought I would give Poliglow a go. The initial cleaning of a very sad 30+ year old gelcoat, was fairly brisk work, and putting on 6 coats (recommended) of the polish gets a bit boring, but the finish is fantastic! It is really a lot easier to use on larger uninterrupted areas, like hull topsides, but the rest of the deckhouse will be getting done as soon as I get the time. Best money I have spent on cosmetics since I got the boat.
No I don't work for, or sell it, just a very satisfied customer.
Happy polishing.
Mike
PS DO NOT SPILL IT ELSEWHERE, IT IS A B****R TO GET OFF! You have to use the cleaner neat & it is quite agressive.

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