Boat Polishing System Questions

[DetailArtist]

Let me start out by admitting I haven't polished a boat in many years. Hundreds of cars, they're piece-of-cake, a good wash/clay and hand-poishing/waxing is what. But the demand is there for boats in the Spring and I am going to dive into these uncharted (for me) waters. A simple system makes sense to me.
I figure hull condition will be:
1. very neglected and very horrible (not polished since new)
2. typically dull and chalky (not polished in 1 or 2 years)
3. very expensive fancy graphic paintjobs on Cigarettes and yachts (polished and waxed and washed regularly)

My plan is to use G110V2 polisher, M44, M45 then Flagship premium marine wax on horrible boats (1.), and M45 and Flagship marine wax on everything else (2. & 3.). Everything gets washed/wiped-down first w/ a general cleaner.

Am I wasting my time using a d/a instead of a rotary on:
-the horrible boats (1.)
-on the typical boats (2.)
-I think on the fancy paint jobs (3.)a rotary is overkill.
Am i going in the right direction?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

On "horrible" boats you're going to need something with more oomph than M44 - we used M67 on the boat featured in this write up and it needed it. We also found, with this boat, that a cutting pad on a D/A worked better than going rotary - of course, these things vary so a little testing is always a good idea. But if you're up against an older gel coat that has been neglected, M67 is going to be your go to. For the record, on these badly oxidized finishes M91 can sometimes dry out and is really more suitable for severe defect correction on newer gel coat finishes.

And yes, we did say a foam cutting pad on the D/A, which is something we don't normally recommend. But it tends to work very well on gel coats.

[fredcandetail]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

Get you some 151 and a rotary with wool pad and you knock out 90% of all details. Also get some 49 for that ten percent that is a pain in the rear

[DetailArtist]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

That write-up answered most my questions and I learned alot; thank you!

It looks like 2 steps - M67 then Flagship premium marine wax for neglected hulls, and on fancy graphic paint jobs on Cigarettes/newish boats go w/ M45 then the Flagship premium marine wax.

What foam pad should be used w/ M45 and the marine wax on gel coats?

What about clay? Its gospel w/ automobiles; any use on boats?

[CSI K-9]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

What about clay? Its gospel w/ automobiles; any use on boats?

Yes, I'm curious about this too. I'm sure since gelcoat is much thicker and harder than automobile paint, there's no reason it can't be used...you just don't hear about it being done...ever.

Not to hijack this thread, but...I have similar questions...

My Dad has a 19 foot 1989 Stingray that has never been detailed and I believe he's had it for probably 10 years now. It sits in a pole barn other than when he uses it, which is only a couple times a year. The gelcoat isn't what I would call chalky or oxidized, but it's not as shiny as it can be either. Has anyone ever used M105 on a boat with a light or heavy cutting pad with decent results?? I plan on trying a light cutting pad (LC CCS Orange), then moving to heavier if that doesn't work (LC CCS Yellow). Those pads combined with some M105 and/or M205...least aggressive method first. Then topping with a polish and wax.

I just want to try some of my existing product first to see what I can do with it because #1) boats aren't really my thing and #2) I've spent waaaay too much money on products already over the last year... and finally #3) me like shiny!

Anyways, just curious too. This will be my first attempt at a boat.

Thanks everyone.

[BillE]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

Just my opinion and thoughts...Probably no harm in using 105/205. Before Meg came out with the marine/rv line (or before I found it, which ever) I used M-01, 02, 04. It worked, but I did fine the 'Blue' bottles did seem to work better than the 'brown' bottles.

Whether or not one really did better, I can't say but I haven't use anything 'cept 'Blue' since.

Bill

[hemi]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

As Mike said, After starting with a rotary, I ended up using M67 with a G110 and a 7207 7" foam pad on 2 older boats followed with a coat of Flagship Premium Marine Wax and got very good results.
You could use the 105 but you may find it dries out too quickly as older gelcoat tends to have more open porosity.
I would say 205 would not do much due to the hardness of the gelcoat on an older boat but you could try.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

What foam pad should be used w/ M45 and the marine wax on gel coats?

What about clay? Its gospel w/ automobiles; any use on boats?

Depending on the condition of the gel coat, you could use either the W8207 or W9207 pad with either. If you're looking for an extra little bit of cut with a cleaner wax then go with the polishing pad, but if the finish is really nice stick with the finishing pad.

Claying is a bit of a rarity with boats, really. Gel coat tends to have much larger pores than automotive paint so a lot of the fallout tends to get more into it than onto it, plus boats just don't spend as much time on the road as cars and trucks (you don't tow your boat with you all the time, do you?) and that's where the majority of fallout occurs. But if the boat sits outside a lot and it gets that rough to the touch feel, claying is certainly an option.

My Dad has a 19 foot 1989 Stingray that has never been detailed and I believe he's had it for probably 10 years now. It sits in a pole barn other than when he uses it, which is only a couple times a year. The gelcoat isn't what I would call chalky or oxidized, but it's not as shiny as it can be either. Has anyone ever used M105 on a boat with a light or heavy cutting pad with decent results?? I plan on trying a light cutting pad (LC CCS Orange), then moving to heavier if that doesn't work (LC CCS Yellow). Those pads combined with some M105 and/or M205...least aggressive method first. Then topping with a polish and wax.

I just want to try some of my existing product first to see what I can do with it because #1) boats aren't really my thing and #2) I've spent waaaay too much money on products already over the last year... and finally #3) me like shiny!

Anyways, just curious too. This will be my first attempt at a boat.

Thanks everyone.

The potential downside to M105 on a boat is this: gel coat is much more porous than automotive paint, and if that gel coat is dried out a bit it will start to pull all the lubricating components out of M105 and you could end up with a sticky situation. If the gel coat is really dried out, you will not like M105 on it at all. If you've ever applied a pure polish like M45 to dried out gel coat, you know what we're talking about. It's like watching a really, really thirsty horse drinking at the trough; it will take in huge quantities in no time! On gel that's in really good shape but has a deep scratch or two, M105 can work great.

Just my opinion and thoughts...Probably no harm in using 105/205. Before Meg came out with the marine/rv line (or before I found it, which ever) I used M-01, 02, 04. It worked, but I did fine the 'Blue' bottles did seem to work better than the 'brown' bottles.

Whether or not one really did better, I can't say but I haven't use anything 'cept 'Blue' since.

Bill

Again, because of the hardness of gel coat, the Marine/RV products are uniquely designed and therefore just plain work better. But this is also why we strongly recommend against using Marine/RV compounds and cleaners on automotive finishes.

As Mike said, After starting with a rotary, I ended up using M67 with a G110 and a 7207 7" foam pad on 2 older boats followed with a coat of Flagship Premium Marine Wax and got very good results.
You could use the 105 but you may find it dries out too quickly as older gelcoat tends to have more open porosity.
I would say 205 would not do much due to the hardness of the gelcoat on an older boat but you could try.

Great observations, and exactly what we would expect you to see/experience.

[CSI K-9]

Re: Boat Polishing System Questions

Hey thanks guys! Looks like I'm going to be investing in the Meguiar's Marine line!