Fiberglass restoration & polish

[ricknsue]

Our boat has some minor to moderate sun damage, and I'd like to know what anyone here recommends as a good product to restore the finish. There are a lot of products available, and I don't want to waste time and money on polishes that don't work well.

 

[Gaprider]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

Wow, great minds think alike! I was coming on here to ask the same question.

I was wondering how to get the at one time, white fiberglass, that has slightly "yellowed" a bit back to its original brightness.

Can this be buffed out with a polish?

 

[Gaprider]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

Anyone try this??

http://www.autogeek.net/fiberglass-restoration-system.html

or this??

http://www.newglass2.com/cgi-bin/cp...act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=NGT+Kit+#2&cat=&catstr=

 

[ricknsue]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

From looking at the 2 links you posted, it seems like both are more for a gel coat than an older-type fiberglass, which is what our boat has. It is a 1984 Bayliner. The finish is not shot, it just has some oxidation and I want to restore the shine. I tried some regular car wax, and it didn't do the trick. I saw on the iboat store there are several products, all with very flashy write-ups, but don't know which one works best.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

Gentlemen......
Ok,here's what ya do..rent or buy a heavy duty variable speed sander/polisher,milwalkee/makita.
2) -local auto paint store -3M SUPERDUTY COMPOUND
3) -3M Hookit backer & pads
4) - 3M finesse it - polishing compound
5) -Collinite #845 Insulator wax
Wash down the boat using TSP (local hardware store) let dry.
Apply superduty, as you would wax,hand apply only
Use buffer to remove compound,gently,w/ just enough pressure to remove compound.
after that use Finesse it,same instructions as compound.
after making sure all compound & polish has been removed,wash again with soap,and let dry.
Apply Collinite changing rag sides frequently,let dry,remove by hand,repeat last. The job will last about a year,only use BOAT soap to wash.
Yea its hard work,but it lasts,and any product claiming easy/fast/like new....FORGET IT,The ONLY way to achive a great wax job is with hard work. Good Luck Amigo's

 

[marine4003]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

P.S. Ricknsue - your hull is gelcoat finished.

 

[Gaprider]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

Gentlemen......
Ok,here's what ya do..rent or buy a heavy duty variable speed sander/polisher,milwalkee/makita.
2) -local auto paint store -3M SUPERDUTY COMPOUND
3) -3M Hookit backer & pads
4) - 3M finesse it - polishing compound
5) -Collinite #845 Insulator wax
Wash down the boat using TSP (local hardware store) let dry.
Apply superduty, as you would wax,hand apply only
Use buffer to remove compound,gently,w/ just enough pressure to remove compound.
after that use Finesse it,same instructions as compound.
after making sure all compound & polish has been removed,wash again with soap,and let dry.
Apply Collinite changing rag sides frequently,let dry,remove by hand,repeat last. The job will last about a year,only use BOAT soap to wash.
Yea its hard work,but it lasts,and any product claiming easy/fast/like new....FORGET IT,The ONLY way to achive a great wax job is with hard work. Good Luck Amigo's

Thanks Marine

Now, I just have to find that bucket of elbow grease!

 

[D445547]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

Gentlemen......
Ok,here's what ya do..rent or buy a heavy duty variable speed sander/polisher,milwalkee/makita.
2) -local auto paint store -3M SUPERDUTY COMPOUND
3) -3M Hookit backer & pads
4) - 3M finesse it - polishing compound
5) -Collinite #845 Insulator wax
Wash down the boat using TSP (local hardware store) let dry.
Apply superduty, as you would wax,hand apply only
Use buffer to remove compound,gently,w/ just enough pressure to remove compound.
after that use Finesse it,same instructions as compound.
after making sure all compound & polish has been removed,wash again with soap,and let dry.
Apply Collinite changing rag sides frequently,let dry,remove by hand,repeat last. The job will last about a year,only use BOAT soap to wash.
Yea its hard work,but it lasts,and any product claiming easy/fast/like new....FORGET IT,The ONLY way to achive a great wax job is with hard work. Good Luck Amigo's

OK, good advise on products but your going to wear yourself out putting compound on by hand. Compound can be put on with a high speed grinder and a foam pad. It's how it's done on a cars thin clearcoat as well. With a boat there is far less worry over burning because the gelcoat is so thick and tough. Just squirt the compound on and buff away till it is gone and the gel coat shines....just remember to keep the buffer moving so as not to create too much heat in one spot.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

My suggestion to hand apply was on account of the crew doing the buffin' had never done it before,and unless your familiar with tipping the pad out/you can do great harm to an old boat with worn gel,or end up with a gloppy mess,these guys aren't pro's.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

BTW,Sheriff,
Re: Propcops...Nice site!

 

[Williaaz]

Re: Fiberglass restoration & polish

I have had two boats with the same issue...one being a 1987 Bayliner Trophy. I folowed the instruction oy my marine mechanic and used 2K grit wet sandpaper (primarily for auto painting) and sanded the oxidation and old wax off. You just sand evenly and until the surface is smooth. No damage to gell coat. I then applied Mesquire Marine Polish and then Wax to seal it back in. The previous owner saw it and was amazed his crappy old boat looked so good. This is a lot of work, but well worth it. The other ideas will likely work as well. NAPA and Ace Hardware have the sandpaper. Good luck.