Where to start with cleaning this one up?

[Paul-F]

As a DIY job, not having done anything to the exterior in 6 years, or worked on a boat exterior at all what should I plan to do to get it looking fresher (I think it was polished 7 years ago!) ?

In terms of access, I can get it dry to work on with fresh water and power available whilst sat on drying blocks for 10 hours each tide around springs so have that window to do stuff where necessary as well as the daily cycle on the mud where it's dry for 6 hours each tide but without power or water.

It's a 25 year old boat so not expecting miracles, just make it look as nice as I reasonably can ...

 

[Concerto]

Mop and bucket?

Personally I would use a pressure washer after applying some wood decking cleaner.

Then gently compound the smooth gel coat and polish.

 

[Hadenough]

As a DIY job, not having done anything to the exterior in 6 years, or worked on a boat exterior at all what should I plan to do to get it looking fresher (I think it was polished 7 years ago!) ?

In terms of access, I can get it dry to work on with fresh water and power available whilst sat on drying blocks for 10 hours each tide around springs so have that window to do stuff where necessary as well as the daily cycle on the mud where it's dry for 6 hours each tide but without power or water.

It's a 25 year old boat so not expecting miracles, just make it look as nice as I reasonably can ...

View attachment 63981

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If it is seaworthy who cares what it looks like? Go out and enjoy. Should add my prejudice, owners who lay up their boat in September, totally ignore it until late March. Pressure wash it for at least 8hours, polish it, do nothing else, launch and then wonder why it breaks down on the first day.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

From personal experience a wash with dedicated hull cleaning product for GRP after washing off the obvious dirt with warm water, sponge and car wash soap without wax. Recent tests of hull cleaning products : -

http://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/10-gelcoat-cleaners-tested-26286

 

[Paul-F]

If it is seaworthy who cares what it looks like? Go out and enjoy.

It is and the wife cares

 

[prv]

Might be worth asking in the Mobo forum - folks there are much more into polishing and waxing their boats, including at least one professional who's happy to share his expertise.

Pete

 

[William_H]

Good ole Oxalic acid might be first step wiped onto the hull and left for 10 minutes you might be amazed at how it cleans up a hull. good luck olewill