Can someone recommend a polishing technique?

[formulaben]

On 12/12/2016 at 0:27 PM, Fffrank said:

Just go to the wetsanding.  Gel-coat is thick.  Use a block and do it by hand.  It's the only way you're going to get through the oxidation.  Start with 800 grit if you're nervous.

Uh, I'd start with 1500 or even 2000 if you're unsure but that's me.  I never went below 1000, finished wet sanding with 2000 and then used the wool pad with cutting compound where necessary. IIRC the cutting compound I used was supposed to be about a 1500 grit equivalent to sandpaper.  Also, it was a random orbital sander WITH A PAD and very wet and somewhat slow, checking my work at first.

On 12/12/2016 at 10:03 AM, minnmarker said:

That does not look like oxidation.  That looks like something from the water that is now on your hull - so you should clean it before you start removing gel coat.  Muriatic acid works wonders but use only if you have a hose handy so you can rinse before it starts eating the trailer or running gear.  Acid does not hurt the gel coat but it'll eat the metal boat and trailer parts if you let it sit for more than a few minutes.  I brushed on full strength with a brush on the end of a broom handle (deck scrubbing brush), let it sit for about a minute then scrub and rinse with lots of water.  Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and long sleeves and pants.  It took the previous owners ?? years of sitting in the water scale, slime, brown gunk, whatever right off.

After looking at it again he's right, looks like something from the water...definitely try "The Works!" toilet cleaner from Walmart before you do anything else.  Only $3 or so and works wonders...same as above, I scrubbed like crazy and couldn't get a layer of something off and just a gentle sponge application, wait 10 minutes and wipe off my hull looked awesome.

[abattle10]

1 hour ago, formulaben said:

After looking at it again he's right, looks like something from the water...definitely try "The Works!" toilet cleaner from Walmart before you do anything else.  Only $3 or so and works wonders...same as above, I scrubbed like crazy and couldn't get a layer of something off and just a gentle sponge application, wait 10 minutes and wipe off my hull looked awesome.

@minnmarker

Thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction. I'll definitely try that before I spend more time with the buffer. 

[Jive]

Step 2. 3M 05954 Super Duty Marine Compound  $25- 1 Quart

Step 3: 3M MARINE FINESSE-IT II GLAZE $35 16 OZ

Step 4: Starbrite Marine Polish with PTEF to prevent oxidation and seal the finish $25

Step 5. Collimate insulator Wax 845 $20 to keep the hull slick and shiny and easy to apply twice a year 

 

I'm about to attempt the same process. I can only assume steps 2,3 and 4 are done with the wool pad? step 5 by hand?

Thanks for the post and inspiration.             

[Chaser720]

4 hours ago, Jive said:

Step 2. 3M 05954 Super Duty Marine Compound  $25- 1 Quart

Step 3: 3M MARINE FINESSE-IT II GLAZE $35 16 OZ

Step 4: Starbrite Marine Polish with PTEF to prevent oxidation and seal the finish $25

Step 5. Collimate insulator Wax 845 $20 to keep the hull slick and shiny and easy to apply twice a year 

 

I'm about to attempt the same process. I can only assume steps 2,3 and 4 are done with the wool pad? step 5 by hand?

Thanks for the post and inspiration.             

Step 2 is done with a wool pad. Wool is actually pretty abrasive by itself. I had mixed results with Finesse it in step 3 but most swear by it. That's a foam pad job (can't recall what color). Any waxing "can" be done with a buffer but I did waxing by hand. 

 

And get ready to sweat. I did the full hull of a 2002 Supra Launch with a lot of oxidation and I know I put 20 hours of hard work into it. 

[Jive]

Thanks for the advice. I too like most am a little nervous about the wet sanding portion.... it'll work out.

As far as the sweat I'm down for that after my first successful winter weight gain this year.

I plan on removing the decals on the side and replacing with some chrome bubble decals. I looked at a Surpa Launch before getting my boat that had the same setup and man it looked sharp.