I echo Francois's approach too. I have the same buffer (but got it for $39 at one of the H-Freight sales) and have been using 3m Restorer & Wax <http://www.westmarine.com/buy/3m--marine-restorer-wax--P004_130_003_512> with wool pads (also from H-freight). I am for now just doing 1 pass and it is looking great!
My hull was very very chalky. I guess that it hasn't been polished in at least 10 years. It has taken a lot of work (2/3 rds done, still working on it). My neighbor just had his boat done by a professional with 3 steps (wet sanding, compounding, polishing) and I would say that my hull looks just as good and started out looking much worse IMO. He paid $2000 for the work, though his deck was also done. I would say he definitely got his money's worth, because it is a lot of work, especially with the boat in the water, as mine is, but I am very happy with the way my hull has come back to life. I aspire to add another coat of wax after I've done the first pass, but it looks great regardless. The deck is the next task. Kevin 30-2 On Thu, Jul 21, 2016 at 7:15 AM Jean-Francois J Rivard via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Hi Frank, > > I tried several things and my best result was take all oxidation with a > high speed polisher with wool pads / 3M super duty, wet sand it with > 1500-2000 grit paper and lots of water then buff with a high speed polisher > with wool pads, 3M Finesse-it compound or Meguire's fine compound. And > finish with 3 coats of Meguire's Carnauba wax. That's how the pros that > charge you $1,200 bucks do it. It was a lot of work but the 25 year old > boat looked better than new. > > See picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/133565480@N04/26529592414/ > > On It's been 3 years and very little wax, just a light coat at the dock > once a year or so and it still looks great. The key here is that the super > shine is not artificially created by the wax, the gelcoat itself is just > that smooth. Nothing sticks to it. Zebra stripes are a spritz of Starbrite > cleaner and light wipe away, scuffs disappear with a touch of cleaner wax. > > You don't' have to spend a fortune on the polisher either. I got the one > shown on the link for 49 bucks it has slow start and digital speed control > which is more just a gadget, you can control the speed in a very fine way > and it keeps constant RPM. I figured if it lasts long enough to do the boat > it paid for itself compared to paying somebody to do it. I'm sure it's > still good for several boats. If you can get someone to show you how to > use it that's even better. If I lived closer I'd let you borrow it. > > > http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-Amp-Heavy-Duty-Digital-Variable-Speed-Polisher-69696.html > > I kind of went overboard and bought a dual action polisher as well for the > finishing buff and apply / buff the wax. I thought it was finer for that > mirror finish (Plus it's awesome to buff the ports): > http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/polishers/6-in-57-amp-heavy-duty-dual-action-variable-speed-polisher-69924.html > > > Good Luck, > > -Francois Rivard > 1990 34+ "Take Five" > Lake Lanier, GA > > > Jul 20, 2016, at 10:27 PM, Franklin Schenk via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>> > wrote: > > My friend has a C&C29 with a red hull. I would like to polish it with > something to bring back the original color. Many years ago I could buy a > car polish that would do the job. I assume that there are new products > available today. Any suggestions? > > Frank > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All > Contributions are greatly appreciated! >
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