Hull Polisher Essex?

shaunksb

shaunksb

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Next job on the list is getting the hull compounded and polished as she’s been out on the hard for a couple of years.

I did my 24’ er myself but I’m looking for someone to do a really professional job to start me off on my 30’ er in Bradwell and I’ll keep it up after that.

I’m hoping to pay around £300.00 ish.

Any recommendations?

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I don't know Bradwell enough, though the yard at Titchmarsh regularly do this. You would do better to buy yourself a decent platform ladder and some equipment and do it yourself. I buff up my HR blue line yearly and clean and wax the rest in two or three days by myself, and that is for a 34'-er. The ladder fits inside my car, A3.
 
I see peripatetic polishers around but I can’t recall any name. I clean and hand polish a 32 footer in a couple of days with a combination ladder, but it’s harder than it was - or more valuable exercise, according to POV. It depends on your circumstances and the state of the boat but John is surely right, that the kit could be an investment/incentive for all that future polishing.
 
Every year I polish our 40 footer before she goes in. It takes 3 days and comes up great. Personally its a job I would prefer to do myself rather than pay a yard to do it. I have been using a Clarke polisher which I've had for 10 years and its the best investment I've made. Still going strong. It's the red body one and I think its sold through machine mart.
 
Kukri said:
I think I need a not too expensive scaffold platform which I can carry on the car / on the roof rack when dismantled. If anyone has a recommendation I'd be obliged.
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I think that for many of us a proper platform is going to be safer and easier than one made up from trestles and planks. I bought mine from Homebase about ten years ago for about £120 but I can't remember the make. Mine takes apart into pieces small enough for my hatchback inside. It only has stabilisers at one end but I have seen others with these at both ends. A platform just about halves the time it takes to do a job, as well as being more comfortable.
 
Couple in Ipswich that will travel but prepare yourself for a shock against your budget.

Compounding a needy boat and polishing is not a five minute job.

http://www.ipswichmarine.co.uk/boat-valet.htm

http://www.aquadetail.co.uk/

I agree with the concensous - Buy a platform and DA Polisher a weekend ought to do it.

I manage our 42ft Motor boat in a full weekend which has a lot of surface area.

Hard work and you know you have done it but the end result gives a peverse satisfaction.
 
bottomlesspit said:
Without wishing to hijack the thread, what compound / polishes do people recommend?
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I use 2 coats of Meguiars 45 Polish, followed by 2 coats of Meguiars 56 Wax. All done by hand; it's incredibly easy stuff to apply and buff off by hand. Lasts 2 years.

meguiars.jpg
 
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bottomlesspit said:
Without wishing to hijack the thread, what compound / polishes do people recommend?
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I use Farecia G3 compound and then hand polish with Mer.

Hang on, I’m the OP!

Thanks for the encouragement but I’m time constrained at the moment.

pvb has got an excellent finish there but I suspect he is starting from a better position than my hull is in at the moment. I’m hoping a professional will bring it back up and I can maintain it from there.

I’ll give the fellas in Ipswich a call today.

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shaunksb said:
pvb has got an excellent finish there but I suspect he is starting from a better position than my hull is in at the moment.
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Well, the Bavaria is only 5 years old. But I've been using the same 2 x polish and 2 x wax routine with Meguiars products for many years. Here's what my previous boat looked like at about 23 years old. (For HR owners, the blue stripe had been resprayed!)

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Just an update for future generations.

I used Tony Hodges 07867 930705 who’s number was given to me by the marina along with GelnShine.

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Done the following week and I’m very pleased as I don’t think I would have got it that good on a 21 year old boat however long I spent on it.

Circa £500.00 plus materials.

Thanks for the input.


PS he uses Meguiars wax too.

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Daydream believer said:
Would that be Matilda? 2 boats along from me- I notice that the mast was dropped this afternoon.
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Yes it is, tap on and say hello.

I only asked them to drop the mast yesterday afternoon so that was quick!

New rigging and new sails along with these other jobs and we will be looking spick and span, ready for a spring relaunch.

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