Polishing compound

hadd · 28 July 2012, 22:51

Hi all, has anyone used polishing compound on there hull to take out a few scratches thinking of doing my hull but not sure how to use the compound any advice welcome

mick · 28 July 2012, 23:02

Yep lots of elbow grease needed I used AG on mine

A1an · 28 July 2012, 23:56

Farecla do a Gel Coat Restore compound.

Ive had great results with it using my DA polisher with a Meguiars brown hard polishing pad.

Peter_C · 29 July 2012, 06:26

I have polished many boats including "Widow Maker" a beautiful all black Super Air Team Edition Nautique. My first Nautique received it's shares of scratches over the years that needed to be removed. I have always used an electric power buffer, and couldn't imagine doing it by hand. The best advice I can give is keep the buffer moving. I use Finesse it II which is a pretty fine polishing compound. I have been able to remove some pretty big scratches, but a few did require wet sanding first. For a pad I just use a double sided sheep fur type pad. Waxing after was a foam pad.

clydeoutboards · 29 July 2012, 06:43

Hi

we have just started using a new one that is actually made boat restores in Scotland called FB ( forbes boatcare). If you call the workshop we could post some down to you.

There are some ok others out there but this stuff is the best we have used so far.

nugent · 29 July 2012, 07:04

farecla G3 does it for me
with a power mop

Jizm · 29 July 2012, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugent

farecla G3 does it for me
with a power mop

Second that one....

thestig1973 · 29 July 2012, 09:01

I'm about to sell a meguiars G220 buffing machine, pm me if your interested :-)

Mollers · 29 July 2012, 09:43

3m Finesse- it compound. Makes G3 look like toothpaste.
Apply with a paint brush and polish 'til gone with a wool Super mop on a variable speed polisher.

Boats&Outboards · 29 July 2012, 09:51

Interested myself now, Any links to the best prices ? We used to "get it done" but am thinking lets do it ourselves now so will need a decent (but not expensive) polisher too. Any input welcome, will be used on range of hulls, mostly hard boats though with one in particular looking quite faded right now

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

willk · 29 July 2012, 10:28

Hadd - a tip: Keep the compound off your tubes - it's the devil to clean off, especially noticeable on darker colours. As Mollers has said in the past - it gets EVERYWHERE! The clear film used to wrap pallets is probably as good as anything else. Tape the lower edge down.

If those scratches are any way deepish, you'll need to use a gelcoat filler on them first, then compound and finish off with a wax type car/caravan shine

Mollers · 29 July 2012, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

If those scratches are any way deepish, you'll need to use a gelcoat filler on them first, then compound and finish off with a wax type car/caravan shine

Agreed, don't be tempted to put the polisher head on it's edge and 'polish' deep scratches out as Willk says, you'll put dents in the gelcoat which look grim. Also, don't go near vinyl decals, pinstripes etc.

nugent · 29 July 2012, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Interested myself now, Any links to the best prices ? We used to "get it done" but am thinking lets do it ourselves now so will need a decent (but not expensive) polisher too. Any input welcome, will be used on range of hulls, mostly hard boats though with one in particular looking quite faded right now

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

I use one these with a G Mop attachment from your local car paint refinisher

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...1&TC=SRC-polis

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kerny · 29 July 2012, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by hadd

Hi all, has anyone used polishing compound on there hull to take out a few scratches thinking of doing my hull but not sure how to use the compound any advice welcome

How have you got on with this Andy, have you started it yet ?

Peter_C · 29 July 2012, 18:59

The key to not having a time consuming clean up job is to wipe up over spray routinely. On a vehicle you are supposed to polish one panel, then wipe up any over spray. A damp towel works wonders.

The suggestion of plastic does work. I have never used it in that particular application, but used to wrap my tower and speakers in plastic food wrap to keep the bugs off. Saved a lot of cleanup time.

Boats&Outboards, that boat needs to be gently wet sanded, then polished.

Mollers · 29 July 2012, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Boats&Outboards, that boat needs to be gently wet sanded, then polished.

I don't think so. I've managed to bring milky pink back to red with the correct compound and a decent polisher.

Peter_C · 29 July 2012, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I don't think so. I've brought milky pink back to red with the correct compound and a decent polisher.

Depends how much time you want to spend. The pros taught me to wet sand first, which levels the gel coating, smoothing it out, then polish it lightly. The problem with Maxum boats is they have thin gel coat and it is easy to take too much off. I brought a black Centurian, that had turned grey in places, back to black with just a polisher, but started going thru the gel coat as it was super thin.

If I was wet sanding it would be with 2000 grit, and lots of water, for a very short time.

Just remember no matter what type of polish you are utilizing, slow speeds and keep the pad moving, never stopping in one place.

Mollers · 29 July 2012, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

If I was wet sanding it would be with 2000 grit, and lots of water, for a very short time.

.

True, but I would be reluctant to recommend 'sanding' to first time boat detailer.

As well as 1200 or finer paper I'd add a dash of detergent to the water and use a Farecla rubber sanding block.

nugent · 29 July 2012, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Depends how much time you want to spend. The pros taught me to wet sand first, which levels the gel coating, smoothing it out, then polish it lightly. The problem with Maxum boats is they have thin gel coat and it is easy to take too much off. I brought a black Centurian, that had turned grey in places, back to black with just a polisher, but started going thru the gel coat as it was super thin.

If I was wet sanding it would be with 2000 grit, and lots of water, for a very short time.

Just remember no matter what type of polish you are utilizing, slow speeds and keep the pad moving, never stopping in one place.

Plus mist with water as you go! I tend to use a green scotch brite pad first, with soapy water them mop away
,personally I use a smear of duck oil on my tubes then mop away till the job is done, and simply wash it off after wards with warm soapy works wonders trust me

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