27' Sea Ray Nightmare Compound (Photo Intensive)

[Always Learning]

First Boat - 27' Sea Ray
________________________________________
The job has been done for a couple weeks now but I’m only just now I’m finally getting around to posting my results.

This was a tough job. I can’t stress how bad of shape this boat was in. Not only was it very oxidized (more than I ever imagined) but had a layer of filth on it from being stored uncovered in a machine shop. Lets hope the owner covers it up after all my hard work.


I started out trying to tackle this with my Flex 3401, which did a very good job – I got a very nice shine with no swirls, but it was going way slower than I would have liked. Due to everything I read and the advice given to me in another thread, I picked up a used Makita 9227C rotary and some wool pads.

I started out just using 3M Extra Cut and Finesse-It II. After awhile, wanting something more aggressive I went to 3M Super Duty followed by Extra Cut then Finesse-It. Being a total rotary noob, I wasn’t happy with the results I was getting with wool pads only so I tried various combinations of different wool pads followed up by different foam pads. I even tried following up with the Flex. (I really appreciate the lightness and manageability of the Flex after working with a rotary).

I found that the most aggressive wool pad I have to be a bit too aggressive – not for the oxidization but I think it was scratching the gel coat. It seemed to leave too much work to do to clean up the damage it left. My guess is that this boat probably needed was a good wet sand to prep it for compounding.

For the longest time I gave up on the wool totally and used some CCS pads I already had. It was slower but seemed to give an nicer end result. Wary of heat from CCS pads I was very careful - I watched my speed (900 – 1200) and kept making sure the gel coat wasn't more than warm to the touch. I worked with Super Duty on Yellow followed by either Extra Cut on Yellow and again on Orange or just on orange. Then on to the Finesse-It and 501.

This really didn't come out to my satisfaction - maybe I'm being too hard on myself, maybe with more time and different products it could have come out way better. It's also a long way off from what the owner originally thought - he thought a quick polishing would be all that was needed.

I enjoy both your comments and constructive criticism.

Here are some comparison shots for reference

Doug

 

[RTexasF]

Wow friend, you walked right into that one. I admire your perseverance greatly. In addition they wanted the stripes and emblems off also, eh? I hope you were paid in gold bullion because you deserve it.

Make some more points and tell the owner he/she REALLY need to get those four blades props reworked before the first launch this year.

Fine work and a lesson you'll not soon forget. Second lesson? You already know this one.....most boat owners have no earthly idea of what it takes to bring lousy gelcoat back into shape.

 

[Sfoster]

Boats are a pain in the butt! Nice job! I detail a 25' fishing boat every year. Just curious how much did you charge?

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[Always Learning]

Wow friend, you walked right into that one.

Eyes wide open too. I had some friendly advice from the forum here on what to charge and how to approach this job. I can only fault myself. My original test spots seemed quick and I thought they looked ok but when I went back I realized I had 'only scratched the surface' - pardon the pun - and a lot more work was needed.

I admire your perseverance greatly. In addition they wanted the stripes and emblems off also, eh? I hope you were paid in gold bullion because you deserve it.

I cursed this to no end - and no gold bullion at the end of the rainbow, more on that later. Several times I wanted to walk away saying you owe me nothing, don't call me, bu-bye. Thing is I said I'd do it and would be letting myself down to not follow through.

Make some more points and tell the owner he/she REALLY need to get those four blades props reworked before the first launch this year.

So true, those things are a mess! Only the other day, long after the job was complete, I was told the last time the previous owner waxed the boat was at least 4 years ago.

Fine work and a lesson you'll not soon forget. Second lesson? You already know this one.....most boat owners have no earthly idea of what it takes to bring lousy gelcoat back into shape.

Thanks for looking and the comments Rick. <banging head on desk for underestimating this job>

 

[primo spaghetti]

looks good man..i was hoping to see the final results!

i gotta say, i just tried the aquabuff 1000 and 2000 for the first time again in many years...now i know why we used it in the boat factory i worked in! amazing stuff!

if youre looking to keep doing boats, definately pick some of this stuff up! and there a re a large selection of wool pads available if you think the one you have is too aggressive...

 

[Always Learning]

Boats are a pain in the butt! Nice job! I detail a 25' fishing boat every year. Just curious how much did you charge?

Not enough at all. Probably what one of you guys would charge for a straight polish, if that. The guy has said he's got another boat lined up for me if I want it. I'm not so sure. It's a 25 footer. He claims it's got less area to work on, maybe a different style [thinking flatter could be even worse] but that the boat is in shrink wrap and has been cared for.

He's also offered to do 'unlimited' marketing for me - that's his business - so hopefully all my work will pay off.

Doug

 

[Always Learning]

looks good man..i was hoping to see the final results!

i gotta say, i just tried the aquabuff 1000 and 2000 for the first time again in many years...now i know why we used it in the boat factory i worked in! amazing stuff!

if youre looking to keep doing boats, definately pick some of this stuff up! and there a re a large selection of wool pads available if you think the one you have is too aggressive...

In the early stages of this when I didn't have the rotary, I called a place that sells Aquabuff. They said it wouldn't work with the flex because they didn't think I could get the flex up to a high enough speed to break it down.

If I remember right it is a diminishing product. Do you start at 1500 and slow down after working it for awhile?

Doug

 

[Hoytman]

Can you give us the amount of hours it took you to complete? I know it was a long time, but you might mention it just so some of the gang here get an idea how long it would take one person to do this sort of job and with those results, which were great...especially on your first one.

Not enough at all. Probably what one of you guys would charge for a straight polish, if that. The guy has said he's got another boat lined up for me if I want it. I'm not so sure. It's a 25 footer. He claims it's got less area to work on, maybe a different style [thinking flatter could be even worse] but that the boat is in shrink wrap and has been cared for.

He's also offered to do 'unlimited' marketing for me - that's his business - so hopefully all my work will pay off.

Doug

1) Sure he'll line up more work for you, especially at the rate you got paid. Charge accordingly on the next boat. Did he offer to tip you, and was it enough to compensate for your under-quote of the job? If not, you need to tell this guy right up front that another job like the one you just finished will bring X amount of dollars, or walk away. He needs to know what his SeaRay should have cost him. He also needs to keep what you charged him under his hat. If you're not careful he'll want you doing his buddies boats for such cheap rates.

Nothing wrond with doing the job cheap if you and him are working out a deal where he gets you more jobs. However, make sure he knows what it should have cost him on his boat, and make sure when he's talking to folks that he does not mention the price.

You need to look at it like this: If he's got a boat like that and the money to play, then he's got money to pay, or walk away. You need to be blunt with him that he's to tell no prospective clients how much he paid if he indeed does market for you. That's between you and the owner. If you decide to give him some money after that for finding the work, then that's you business.

2) If marketing is his business, then let him get you a few jobs since you charged him so little. That's the least he should do for you. After you do several and the word gets out they'll come to you anyway.

 

[primo spaghetti]

In the early stages of this when I didn't have the rotary, I called a place that sells Aquabuff. They said it wouldn't work with the flex because they didn't think I could get the flex up to a high enough speed to break it down.

If I remember right it is a diminishing product. Do you start at 1500 and slow down after working it for awhile?

Doug

yeah you will need the rotary for sure for the aquabuff...thats where id start...

 

[Always Learning]

Can you give us the amount of hours it took you to complete? I know it was a long time, but you might mention it just so some of the gang here get an idea how long it would take one person to do this sort of job and with those results, which were great...especially on your first one.

It took me a rather embarrassing 75 hours.


1) Sure he'll line up more work for you, especially at the rate you got paid.

He knows what it should have cost him and yes I told him long ago not to tell anyone what he paid. He claims the other one really only needs a polish and has been kept up. I asked for pictures for now but it's currently wrapped. I won't undercut myself on this one - if it happens.

If you decide to give him some money after that for finding the work, then that's you business.

No money will be involved, he has been asking when he can start - I've been holding off as I'm not geared up yet. But he has mentioned repeated exposure, as much as I want. Who knows, it may not even help.

2) If marketing is his business, then let him get you a few jobs since you charged him so little. That's the least he should do for you. After you do several and the word gets out they'll come to you anyway.

This is his promise - but promises don't pay the bills. I'm stuck waiting to see what happens now.

 

[Sfoster]

I would charge atleast $250 to do that. But I was wondering what others are charging?

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[primo spaghetti]

I would charge atleast $250 to do that. But I was wondering what others are charging?

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thats a steal...

 

[Always Learning]

$250 is more like R***.

I just found out from someone he has referred to me that this boat was stored for, wait for it ..... 10 years!

The gel coat was caked. Now I'm not beating myself up so bad.

Doug

 

[Joelotto]

I would charge atleast $250 to do that. But I was wondering what others are charging?

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I've never done a boat or car for money yet but the OP said he spent 75 hours. At $250 bucks that's less than $4 an hour. I'd say $1000-$1500 would be more like it with that many hours. Maybe more