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brk-lnt · 06-03-2009, 04:15 PM

The gelcoat would have to be very badly gone (IME) to risk burning through it, unless you're completely ham-handed about the process.

In any case, you are NOT going to be able to bring back any real luster by applying ANY product over the current "problem".

You will need to remove the oxidation that exists and then go through a regular wax/polish process.

Get a good quality orbital (not random orbit) buffer. You can spend a lot of money on this, but I have one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820
(technically mine is the version 1 model before that one)
and have pretty well beat on it over the last few years and it is holding up fine. You have to be careful with HF tools, but this unit is fairly well regarded among people who do auto painting/detailing "on the side". I wouldn't use it in a commercial business, but you'd be unlikely to wear it out...

Forget the bonnets and such that you're probably familiar with for auto buffing/polishing. Get yourself some yellow and orange pads:
http://www.autogeek.net/lc-ccs-7inch-pads.html

Then get a good swirl remover product. I use Poorboys myself often, but for this purpose, there is not a world of difference:
http://www.autogeek.net/pbmssr16.html
http://www.autogeek.net/possmeabswre.html

Even for a badly oxidized boat you probably don't need to start with anything higher than the 2.5 "grit", but there is a 3.

I've done:
2.5
2.0
1.0
Polish
Wax

On a couple of boats that were pretty well gone to start with. One was a 20 year old Bayliner bowrider that had probably not been waxed since it was new. It came out looking like brand new. That one had some deep scratches that required a little wetsanding as well, but for the most part it was just the orbital and the Poorboys stuff above.

Plan to make 1 or 2 weekends of it, depending on the size of the boat and your own personal stamina.

06-03-2009, 04:15 PM	#4
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,947 Thanks: 545 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	The gelcoat would have to be very badly gone (IME) to risk burning through it, unless you're completely ham-handed about the process. In any case, you are NOT going to be able to bring back any real luster by applying ANY product over the current "problem". You will need to remove the oxidation that exists and then go through a regular wax/polish process. Get a good quality orbital (not random orbit) buffer. You can spend a lot of money on this, but I have one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820 (technically mine is the version 1 model before that one) and have pretty well beat on it over the last few years and it is holding up fine. You have to be careful with HF tools, but this unit is fairly well regarded among people who do auto painting/detailing "on the side". I wouldn't use it in a commercial business, but you'd be unlikely to wear it out... Forget the bonnets and such that you're probably familiar with for auto buffing/polishing. Get yourself some yellow and orange pads: http://www.autogeek.net/lc-ccs-7inch-pads.html Then get a good swirl remover product. I use Poorboys myself often, but for this purpose, there is not a world of difference: http://www.autogeek.net/pbmssr16.html http://www.autogeek.net/possmeabswre.html Even for a badly oxidized boat you probably don't need to start with anything higher than the 2.5 "grit", but there is a 3. I've done: 2.5 2.0 1.0 Polish Wax On a couple of boats that were pretty well gone to start with. One was a 20 year old Bayliner bowrider that had probably not been waxed since it was new. It came out looking like brand new. That one had some deep scratches that required a little wetsanding as well, but for the most part it was just the orbital and the Poorboys stuff above. Plan to make 1 or 2 weekends of it, depending on the size of the boat and your own personal stamina. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]