I have a 1986 2550, it is RED, every year I make several attempts to turn my faded red stripe back to a shiny bright red, I know its possible because I've had some success in the past, but every year I seem to experiment with different waxes and rubbing compounds never knowing which will give me the best results. I was wondering if the board had a general concensus on the 'BEST' product on the market for removing the oxidation. Not looking for a 10 step process or to spend 3 days doing it, its an old boat, I just want it to look a little better for spring launch. Thanks!
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There is no single magic product. The key to success in buffing up oxidized gelcoat surface is to follow the step-by-step process. Start with a coarse compound and progress up through less coarse until you finish with polish, then wax. The more steps you skip, the crappier the final outcome will be.mixed blessing wrote:
I was wondering if the board had a general concensus on the 'BEST' product on the market for removing the oxidation. Not looking for a 10 step process or to spend 3 days doing it, its an old boat, I just want it to look a little better for spring launch. Thanks!
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Rubbing compound is fine for light oxidation but if the finish is heavely oxidized wet sanding may be a faster method to a better finish.
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When I owned boats of a few manufactures include Bayliners from the 80's this is what I used: 3M One Step Meguires makes a similar product very easy to use.
Port: Sassafras River Georgetown, MD Bayliner 2000 2855 7.4
http://www.chart.state.md.us/video/v...50fa36c4235c0aComment
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I'm in the 3M camp also.
Both boats gelcoat restored with 3M. I do them by hand.
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3m !
Power buff ...it's quicker.
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Great stuff on the 80's Bayliners!
Port: Sassafras River Georgetown, MD Bayliner 2000 2855 7.4
http://www.chart.state.md.us/video/v...50fa36c4235c0aComment
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Thanks for the input!
3M also has a Marine Color/Gloss Restorer, sold at West Marine, anyone have an thoughts on it?
Is it comparable/better/worse than the 3M One Step Marine Restorer & Wax?
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I cleaned my gelcoat once a few years back and buffed a paste wax on. Since then I've been using an old secret a boat salesman told me. I use pledge furniture wax. It works fantastic! I usually put about 2-3 applications on over the year but man is it easy to do. You can have the whole boat poilshed to perfect in 40 mins. It holds up very good against UV as well; all my decal detailing has not faded one bit.
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I had a 89 sea ray weekender years ago and it had a red stripe about a foot wide where the hull meets the deck. It was a bitch to buff and no matter how many coats of wax I put on it after buffing, within 4 months it always looked like someone had spilt milk on it. I wonder what these newer Ray's with the dark blue hulls will look like in 10 years.
Doug
Hanging Loose
98 Carver 350 Mariner
2013-
KRUSTY KRAB
2001 305
5.7 BII
2006-2013Comment
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Are you talking Pledge, in a can? The spray-on stuff??TrophyTroubles wrote:
I cleaned my gelcoat once a few years back and buffed a paste wax on. Since then I've been using an old secret a boat salesman told me. I use pledge furniture wax. It works fantastic! I usually put about 2-3 applications on over the year but man is it easy to do. You can have the whole boat poilshed to perfect in 40 mins. It holds up very good against UV as well; all my decal detailing has not faded one bit.
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I use 3M Finnese-it , for my polish. Than, Hand apply Collinete Fleetwax.
I polish and wax once a season. Usually in the spring commission.
I have a wide BLUE stripe on my boat. I polish and wax this stripe usually twice during the summer months. Keeps it looking nice. It too will turn color pretty quickly if I don't.
If you have bad oxidation, You will need the three-step process. Rubbing compound, Polish, Wax (sealant). Skip any one of these, it Will show later. Then just regular maint.
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What a beautifull boat....!!!! great job and great boatPatrick53 wrote:
I use 3M Finnese-it , for my polish. Than, Hand apply Collinete Fleetwax.
I polish and wax once a season. Usually in the spring commission.
I have a wide BLUE stripe on my boat. I polish and wax this stripe usually twice during the summer months. Keeps it looking nice. It too will turn color pretty quickly if I don't.
If you have bad oxidation, You will need the three-step process. Rubbing compound, Polish, Wax (sealant). Skip any one of these, it Will show later. Then just regular maint.
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My capri was never buffed...polished or clean for more than 5 years....so was complicated to bring the shine back.... I used the turttle was swrill and scratch remover....Is a bit "hard" because "eats" a lot of the paint....but my case was necessary.....I love to use carnauba for my cars but I havent had the chance to use on a boat ....anybody ever tried???
tks
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Something else................ Don't use auto/truck polish, cleaners, wax, ect; on boat finnish. Marine products made for boats work so much better, gives you better performance.
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