Paint oxidation removal

[bh357]

The top deck of my boat is badly oxidized. The hull is in great shape. I spent a good few hours trying to rub the deck out with limited success. I used an air grinder with a buffing pad, with the air turned down to keep the rpm's down. Various products were tried; rubbing compounds, and polishes. The biggest problem is that after a good bout with the rubbing compound, it looks "patchy" when dried. It also seems to take a lot of rubbing to get any shine.<br />The bow (closed bow) of the boat has molded in recessed lines to simulate planking. These "planks" are about 1 1/2 inches wide. The center of these "planks" seems to rub out better than the sides (next to the recessed portion).<br />Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WHITEBOYY32]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

i removed oxidation once from an aluminum od green jon boat. it was easy to me. i used the compounds like you talked bout with a buffer, and it turned it back as greeen as it ever was. thass all i can tell ya, keep at it !!!

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Tell us a little more about your boat (year, if stored uncoved, type finish, color of finish, alum or glass boat?). If glass has it been painted, or are you working on the gelcoat?

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Paul did you find your decals?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

If it is Gel coat, and I suspect it is, you will have to wet sand the area with 1500 grit before you buff, that removes the oxidation and then you just have to buff the gell coat to a gloss. Not difficult after the oxidation is removed with the wet sanding. You will have sore arms befor you are done though.

 

[bh357]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the boat is painted fiberglass. Don't know what brand of paint, as it was painted before I got it. The boat has been sitting under a tarp since I got it (other than when it was being worked on), but before that it's anyone's guess. It was uncovered when I got it (floor and transom were rotted and have since been replaced).

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

The same thing will apply if its not a metalic that has not been clear coated. If it is a metalic without a clear coat, you will have to repaint.

 

[bh357]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

LubeDude- My boat is painted bright red, which is non-metallic, and there is no clearcoat. So, wet sanding should work for me. Should this be done by hand? Also, about how much sanding is needed, and is it easy to tell when you sanded enough, without having to wait for it to dry?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

It will not take much, like I said, use 1500-2000 grit wet paper on a sponge block, (you can get them at you local autobody supply house), They can help you understand how to do it also. Do a little and then wipe with a cloth and see what it looks like, you want the finish to look even. DO NOT TAKE ANYMORE OFF THAN YOU ABSOLUTLY HAVE TO. You have no way of knowing how much paint was applied and you can sand through the paint. (you do not want to do this) Now, with that said, it is intirely possable to screw up if you get a little over Zelouse. Be very care full around edges, as a matter of fact, I usually put some masking tape on the edges to make sure I do not burn through with the buffer. There is not as much paint on the edges. The word is to go slow and be carefull, VERY CAREFULL).

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

At the risk of exciting the other posters...the only time you need to sand gel-coat is after an application of new to smooth the orange peel out. If the proper compound (not automotive) is used there is no need to water sand. Now, my opinion on your paint.<br /><br />They used automotive enamel would be a safe bet. You could use an automotive compound, but the results would be temporary at best. Look at any old car that has been repainted....that is what you are dealing with. <br />@-@<br />JBR

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Originally posted by johnnybigrigger:<br /> At the risk of exciting the other posters...the only time you need to sand gel-coat is after an application of new to smooth the orange peel out. If the proper compound (not automotive) is used there is no need to water sand. Now, my opinion on your paint.<br /><br />They used automotive enamel would be a safe bet. You could use an automotive compound, but the results would be temporary at best. Look at any old car that has been repainted....that is what you are dealing with. <br />@-@<br />JBR

These statements are bit way out there. As to sanding Gel coat, it is advisable to get the oxidation off first before you polish, It makes the polishing go a lot faster, your pad will not load up with all that oxidation mixed with the compound and the finished product will be far superior.<br /><br />As to the finish on your boat, Who knows what they used, Regular enamel hasnt been used for many years, Im not even sure you can get it anymore, and even it can be polished gently with good results but you have to stay with it to maintain the shine. If I had to speculate about the finish on the boat I would say it was probably a catilized product of some kind, and even if it isnt Urethane, and is just acrylic enamel, it will polish well and hold the shine if taken care of.

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Both regular and acrylic enamel are still sold in automotive supply stores. Many DIY'r are worried about the possible side effects of catylist paint, and tend to steer clear of that product. If he has catylist cure perhaps a buff will help the finish for a while. Without knowing the type or how much product (mils of paint) is on the boat water sanding could remove an excess. <br /><br />On buffing gelcoat without water standing....I dont care to go into it with any posters championing automotive methods and compounds. I will only say....use the buffing products the gelcoat suppliers sell to buff gelcoat....it works great on fresh and weathered gelcoat (not paint). <br /><br />Lube, do you have a 7 or 7 1/2 inch varible speed buffer? If so, I will send you some compound for you to try on a weathered boat without water sanding. You wont believe the results.<br />JBR

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Paint oxidation removal

Originally posted by johnnybigrigger:<br /> Lube, do you have a 7 or 7 1/2 inch varible speed buffer? If so, I will send you some compound for you to try on a weathered boat without water sanding. You wont believe the results.<br />JBR

I do not mean to say you do not know what you are talking about, I guess its just different ways of doing things.<br /><br />Email me: Tell me what it is, I may allready have some. I have used metal polish (paste) with very good results also.<br /><br />rays-shop1@juno.com