Restoring Fiberglass Finish

davemoore

davemoore

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
96
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good product/method to basically restore the luster to our fiberglass boat?

I was thinking of using some polishing compound and a buffing wheel like they use to do cars, but just not sure what to do. The finish is just very dull and dirty, but it looks like it will clean up.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Here is a photo of the boat:

ourboat.jpg
 
T

tmh

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 16, 2006
Messages
1,136
Re: Restoring Fiberglass Finish

Do a search here for "oxidation"; "compounding"; "vaseline"; "buffer" ; etc.

It's been discussed a million times and everyone has an opinion. For me with a 23 year old boat in good but not great shape, I use Vaseline on the dark colored part to bring back the color then wax. It improved my boat 100% and lasts longer than expected.

However, IF I had time, patience AND skill with a buffer I'd wet sand, compound, polish then wax for best results. With no skill I'd do more harm than good with a powerful enough buffer, I'm afraid.
 
R

ryendube

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
200
Re: Restoring Fiberglass Finish

tmh said:
Do a search here for "oxidation"; "compounding"; "vaseline"; "buffer" ; etc.

It's been discussed a million times and everyone has an opinion. For me with a 23 year old boat in good but not great shape, I use Vaseline on the dark colored part to bring back the color then wax. It improved my boat 100% and lasts longer than expected.

However, IF I had time, patience AND skill with a buffer I'd wet sand, compound, polish then wax for best results. With no skill I'd do more harm than good with a powerful enough buffer, I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

vaseline?
 
a70eliminator

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,762
Re: Restoring Fiberglass Finish

Yea regular vaseline, tons of people here have used it with great success, although it did nothing for me.
they say to simply smear it on there a little goes a long way and leave it penetrate in the sun for like a week, wipe it back off and have a new shiny boat. good luck.
 
R

ryendube

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
200
Re: Restoring Fiberglass Finish

a70eliminator said:
Yea regular vaseline, tons of people here have used it with great success, although it did nothing for me.
they say to simply smear it on there a little goes a long way and leave it penetrate in the sun for like a week, wipe it back off and have a new shiny boat. good luck.
Click to expand...

ya your just "wetting" the surface. thats why it looks good anything would do that. Hell of a time getting that off though after too do a proper job though.
 
Q

QUICKSTUDY63

Recruit
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
2
Re: Restoring Fiberglass Finish

I have been in the autobody repair industry for 30 years +. I have learned with a little practice anyone can get good enough to bring back almost any gel-coat surface with some modestly priced compounds from Napa or equal, We use a number of compounds I would recommend a Cutting polish then a wax or equal. I think a foam pad in the 8.5" diameter with a cutting pad first and then wax with a polishing pad. We use a pad called drc1000 foam buffing pad, use the aggressive cut Yellow then say a green. I would recommend any water based compound that will clean up well.
The cost is in the buffer itself, don't get sucked into buying a $200.00+ machine. Just a comfortable moderately priced buffer will do, a variable speed trigger is a must for control. Keep the cord gravity fed, don't let it get wrapped around, if you are on a ladder... don't reach, get down and move the ladder for safety! You can't buff with a broken collar bone. Low rpm's around any rail posts, remember the compound works with friction but it does not have to be 3000 rpm's, 1000 and under will do. Pretty tough to buff thru the gel-coat so get into it, be proud of the outcome and keep up on the wax. A little yearly maintenance will keep the hull looking really really nice and lasting a long time.
 
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