'84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

[70olds442]

I have tried several 3M products on the Maroon Paint and had no luck. Haven't started the white yet... I got some of the 91 and it just soaks into the paint and dries in seconds. I have to keep wetting the wool bonnet. Can't seem to get the gloss that I was looking for..
I'd post a pic but don't see where this can be done on the web page. Do you need a really wet bonnet to properly put the 91 on?
Man, the white spray will be everywhere...

[Jokeman]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

If 91 is anything like the 105 of the automotive line, it flashes FAST and has a very short work time.

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

J-M,
Thankx... What is short work time? I'm talkin seconds.. Ya can't work anything over a sq ft. @ a time. It says to wipe off prior to dryin and by the time I put the buffer down and pick up my cloth.. It's dry.
and what can you expect after the buffing.. Just a polished look or full color? ...and How do ya post a pic?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

Are you trying to use M91 Power Cut Compound from our RV/Marine line on automotive paint? If so, please don't. It's designed for use on gel coat finishes, which are much harder and much thicker (several times thicker, actually) than automotive paint.

What are you working on? What kind of buffer are you using? You mention a wool bonnet which sounds more like you're using a large orbital buffer rather than a rotary (in which case you'd be using a wool pad, not a bonnet). If this is the case then you're likely using a machine that lacks the power to fully utilize a heavy cut cleaner or compound.

Can you please clarify for us what tool you're using, the paint you're working on (freshly sprayed or factory baked, age, etc?).

In order to post a picture you'll need to upload one or more to our gallery first, or you could just email them to me at mstoops@meguiars.com and I can help you out.

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

Michael, Thankx
I'm using a Makita 7'' Electronic Sander-Polisher Model 9227C with a Porter Cable Polishing pad 54741 on an '84 Formula Thunderbird with original gelcoat.

[RaskyR1]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

lol....I thought you were talking about a Pontiac Firebird at first.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

lol....I thought you were talking about a Pontiac Firebird at first.

That was my first thought too - I had browsed into this discussion from the home page and didn't realize I was looking in the Marine/RV section so the red flags went up! Sorry 'bout that.

As for using M91, yes, it can be a bit dry so if the gel coat is heavily oxidized and/or very dry itself then you're best bet is to actually use more product than you're probably accustomed to using. Sort of the opposite of using M105 on a car where less is more, so to speak. Go a bit heavy with the 91 and see how that works for you.

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

Yea, I forgot about the old Formulas... And here I thought I splained it perfectly too...

Michael, sent you pics of the boat in an email.. I haven't gotten this attach thing down yet.. Don't know where I'm downloading to??

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help


That didn't go so well.. Try again to post a pic

[Michael Stoops]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

OK, here's a shot of the boat:



Yep, that's some serious oxidation right there.


Frank, what speed are you running the Makita at? How much pressure are you applying when working it?

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

Started @900 and it dried out so fast I moved it down to 600 and started wetting down the bonnet.
and..... light to medium pressure.. Like I would normally use.
I think I did go heavy with the 91 Michael..
I "X'd" the polisher wool pad with 91 - that's a lot..

[Mike Phillips]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

That gel-coat is crying out for a compound with a heavy concentration of our polishing oils.

See if you can find a bottle of this where you buy your Marine polishes and compounds.

Color Restorer

You can apply this with a wool pad on a rotary buffer and it should cut the oxidation and bring the color back.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

If you have some M80 Speed Glaze, might test that too...

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

On this side (Starboard, I used Penetrol to enrich the gelcoat and waxed the right side with the new ntx wax. I left the right side alone. The upper left corner is where I pealed the tape back to see the"Real Color" of the gelcoat.
The Penetrol is an oil based product and I don't know how it compares to the Restore from Meguiar. I did have some of the Restore but could not find it.
At the time I did use it, I can't remember anything coming of it...
The left section still doesn't have that "Polished" look, but it may be the best I can get out of this ole gelcoat..

[70olds442]

Re: '84 Formula badly oxidized, need help

On this side (Port/Stern) I used the 91 and my Makita @ 600 rpm. I used a substantial portion of the 32oz 91. To the left of the 91 in a circular pattern I put some Penetrol. It seems that the Penetrol enriches the gelcoat but I don't still don't get the high polish that I'd like.
Tomorrow I'll try the 91 over the Penetrol and see what that looks like.. Thankx all for listening, still open for suggestions..
Mike, I tried the Restorer a while back with unfavorable results.
This finish just may be "Toast"