Waxing a boat: in over my head?

[ctb1010]

Hello, I have a 2001 Sylvan that we bought used last year and love it. I was thinking that during this off-season that I might wax and polish the boat in my driveway. I've never done this before and am wondering, is waxing and polishing the boat something fairly easy that I can do without totally screwing up the look of the boat? Are there any comprehensive and well put together videos that would serve as a tutorial? I've included a picture of the boat so you can see what I'm dealing with. Thanks!

 

[harleyman1975]

Lets start with the basics 1st need to know condition of the gelcoat. is it dull and chalky in the top and shiny on the sides? Are you comfortable with tools? Do you own a compressor (if not we can work around this)? Are you willing to take your time and do a thorough job?

 

[ctb1010]

I posted the pic to try to give an idea of what it looks like. I'd describe it as chalky most everywhere. I'm not sure what you mean by shiny on the sides. I'm comfortable with tools, however I own no tools for waxing or polishing and I don't own a compressor. I'm willing to take my time and do a thorough job depending on how long that is, I was envisioning this as a weekend project, but maybe that's completely inaccurate.

 

[Woodonglass]

You don't need a compressor. If you want to do a good thorough job I would recommend a good thorough bath with TSP (Trisodium Phosphate, Lowes' sells it) and then Go to Harbor Freight and buy one of these....

$50 bucks.

7" variable speed Polisher. Then Go on Youtube and watch a Lot of Videos on how to Polish your boat. You'll be able to do a decent job in a weekend.


These will get you started.

Basic on how to use this tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW3gmIDXzIo

Polishing a Boat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nSSbI_KwXM

 

[ctb1010]

Do I need to be concerned with the design on the side of the boat with sanding? Is there a chance it will sand off?

 

[tpenfield]

I'd be real careful sanding . . . maybe see if you can get some polishing compound or rubbing compound to see if that gets you to a good place with the shine.

 

[avolnek]

Try with just the polisher first. I'd use a rubbing compound, step up to a polishing compound followed by wax... try this in a smaller area to see if it will provide you the finish you are after. If it doesnt then wet sanding may be the route you need to take.

I bought our first boat this winter, after owning a number of jet skis, and it was oxidized to beat hell. I took 1,000 grit to it, and it really didnt make a diff, i ended up with 400 grit as my most coarse grit stepping up to 600, 800, 1000, 2000 and 3000. followed by a rubbing compound, polishing compound and finished off with some wax.

while some of that could be deemed a little excessive i enjoyed my time with the boat and out of the house and in the garage drinking beer!

here is a before and after pic to show some of the work. In the after photo you can still see some pits in the gel coat, but i really wasnt too comfortable sanding too much farther in fear of sanding through the gel coat.

 

[ctb1010]

Thanks so much! Your before and afters look great and that's basically what I'm looking to do!

 

[avolnek]

Thanks so much! Your before and afters look great and that's basically what I'm looking to do!

Start with the least invasive technique first and then step up the agressiveness as needed... this will ensure you exert the least amount effort to come to the same solution.

 

[harleyman1975]

You can sand by hand but a D/A is sooo much faster. go through the steps starting with 400 grit . the sides are likely to be much less oxidized and you might be able to get away with just compound/polish/wax but horizontal surfaces will need to be sanded up to a min of 1000...1500 grit would be better then compound/polish/wax. plan on spending 20-40 hrs to do a good job. When finished the boat will look like new!

 

[harleyman1975]

WOG I have never heard of using TSP to clean UV damaged gelcoat. I have never even considered it. (We used it for washing walls to clean the wood smoke soot off and before painting) Please explain a little more on this subject.

 

[Woodonglass]

Oxidation is NOT the only issue. TSP is an excellent overall cleaner and Degreaser. Any and all boats having been in any body of water will get all kinds of "Scum" on their hulls. unlike Paint, Gelcoat, as you know is a porous surface and will absorb any and all things in comes in contact with. If you don't clean it well prior to doing any kind of sanding or buffing you'll just drive these contaminants deeper into the gelcoat. You want it to be as clean and free from contaminants as possible to get it clean and ready for polishing and buffing.

 

[harleyman1975]

Ok so no magic bullet...just step one in the process Thanks for the insight!