Boat Detailing

[mjr119]

So I have some light to moderate oxidation on the black portion of my boat. I have already been over it once with turtle wax rubbing compound from wal mart, then I went over it with Starbrite wax with PTEF. It looks MUCH better after doing that, but I still have some oxidation and ghosting from stickers that I removed. I did not put a full 100% effort into the job because I had never polished or buffed before, so I didnt want to be too aggressive with the compounding. Now that I see how much it helped, I was to do a better job on it this time around.


I am looking at the 3M imperial compound, it says heavy duty for heavy oxidation. Will this be too much for my needs? I am also considering the 3M color restorer, which says it is for light oxidation. But will this get rid of the sticker ghosts?

I plan to use one of the above, and follow with 3M Finesse-it 2 glaze. But I have a bottle of Turtle Wax polish, would this be an acceptable substitute?

After the polish/glaze I will finish it off with a coat of Starbrite wax with PTEF (I like this stuff, but I am open to other recommendations).

I know this topic has been beat to death, but I want to hear what people are using now! Thanks!

[zabooda]

My experience with oxidation is it will return maybe weeks, months or a year later. It wasn't until I had a clear coat finish applied that it stopped and it actually looked like a new surface.

[CookieMonster]

My experience with oxidation is it will return maybe weeks, months or a year later. It wasn't until I had a clear coat finish applied that it stopped and it actually looked like a new surface.

How much does that run? I was planning to get mine detailed in and out, oxidation removed and all for $450; but if it comes back quick I don't want to waste my money.

[996scott]

3M makes great stuff, I use it a lot. I would use the LEAST aggressive product first and then check the results. If it wasn't enough you can always go more aggressive. Are you using a random orbital sander or by hand? Using an electric polisher is a HUGE help. this is a good site to get info and tips.

http://www.premiumboatcare.com/

[mjr119]

I am using a polisher/sander. Im using the low speed polish setting. Wool pad. Moderate pressure.

[zabooda]

The boat I had clear coated was a 1979 Glastron Carlson metal flake finish that I had refinished around 1998. I would remove the oxidation each spring and it looked good all year but eventually it was less effective and within a couple of weeks the oxidation would start coming back. It was a closed bow and that area and everything above the rub rail oxidized so I had just that surface clear coated so none of the hull was done. The price wasn't too bad but then I removed all the hardware and prepped the surface.

You need to see how long the oxidization stays away as for me once a year buffing wasn't too bad especially when getting it out of winterization and getting the boat cleaned up.

[mjr119]

Yeah I am okay with one or twice a year buff or wax. Ill try the color restorer and see where that gets me. I know it isnt bad enough to need wet sanding.

[wolfeman131]

How much does that run? I was planning to get mine detailed in and out, oxidation removed and all for $450; but if it comes back quick I don't want to waste my money.

I'd drop that $450 and spend my free time on the water

[CookieMonster]

I'd drop that $450 and spend my free time on the water

Sounds good to me. I hated detailing vehicles for a living and really don't want to miss a weekend on the water to detail the Moomba.

[mjr119]

If I could find someone local I would gladly pay that if they did a good job.