Favorite boat products

sharpcard

sharpcard

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I just bought an older boat (1996 Skeeter) and now I am looking for advice on how to get it looking it's best. Currently comparing 3M and Meg's line of marine care products. I don't believe that it will need any sanding to get it looking good enough for me.

I have a flex 3401 and plenty of 105,205,UC, wolfgang twins, and others but have been warned to only use compounds/polishes made for fiberglass and gel-coats, which makes sense. Some have said that I will need a rotary to do any correction work on gel coats....but then they also recommend a cheap Harbor Freight rotary. I think the Flex can handle it with the right products.

Several fishing buddies swear by BBS (bass boat saver) which is a cleaner wax that is used like a quick detailer for boats. I would rather try something from autogeek like 303
shower shield, duragloss, or Meg's instead. Really looking for the best UV protection.

I have tried several searches on here for boat care and haven't found very many threads, maybe AG could add another category. Some step by step boat restorations would be awesome.
 
This thread may help. I find that in doing fiberglass (I do buses) my 3401 works better for cleaning with a cleaner wax but for deep oxidation removal I go for my rotary. Haven't done any boats yet. I have yet to find a good wax for these buses. It seems that the fiberglass soaks up a lot of wax and it is real tough to wipe the stuff off too. Don't know, boats may be totally different.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/21147-1967-starline-deville-extreme-makeover.html
 
I've used plenty of 105, Power Gloss, etc for compounding with great results. I like to follow with a marine polish like Megs #45 to feed oils into the gel coat if it's been oxidized. For wax, Collinite 845 for smooth surfaces and Woody Wax for non-skid.
 
I'm really partial to the Meg Boat/RV line. Been using their system (RV & boats) for quit awhile with good results.

Bill
 
105 works great. Being a 15 yr old boat I can only assume its heavily oxidized. I too recommend using a rotary to achieve maximum results. The Harbor Freight rotary will do fine job for you. If I'm not mistaking they are on sell for like $39 till the end of the month


Good Luck and watch those edges :buffing:
 
Hi this is charlie from master detailers in cape coral fl . 99% of my work is on boats and do 80 or so a year.
go to west marine and get some yacht brite . they have it in 800 grit and 400 grit.
also ardex marine 1000 grit is good also. but if you are getting white on your hand when you put it on your boat you shoud wet sand it with 1000 grit . then your buffing will be easy and last a long time.
use a sealer on it after .your boat will love you for it
 
master detailer said:
Hi this is charlie from master detailers in cape coral fl . 99% of my work is on boats and do 80 or so a year.
go to west marine and get some yacht brite . they have it in 800 grit and 400 grit.
also ardex marine 1000 grit is good also. but if you are getting white on your hand when you put it on your boat you shoud wet sand it with 1000 grit . then your buffing will be easy and last a long time.
use a sealer on it after .your boat will love you for it
Click to expand...

Charlie gives sound advice :props:
 
Amazing Roll-Off is likely another must have item for boaters.
 
I really appreciate all of the advice. The Starline Deville article by Mike was cool too.

I think I will be getting a rotary to go with my Flex . It will be nice to have the option of smaller backing plates and pads. I now have several products I want to try out.

Charlie, I did find the Yacht Brite website. The only compound I found there was Buff Magic but it didn't list a grit, it is more of a diminishing abrasive that finishes as a polish, it looks like good stuff. The Y-B Pro Polish looks like a great sealer for fiberglass too.

It will probably be months before it is warm enough here to do anything. It looks like we are going to have a real winter. It does give me time to put together a game plan.

Merry Christmas!
 
good for you buff magic is 800 grit and the small can shoud do the hole boat for you just thin it a little with water . pro polish is real good stuff also . after you use the compound back buff it with a clean pad and spray with water .
this will make it finer and bring it to about a 1200 . then wash the hole boat before you put on the pro polish . I use a brush when i put the compound on the boat thin.
I f you only have one wool pad and it gets loaded up with compound go to a new area and buff to get it off. water is the key .now make me proud lol good luck
 
I now have a Flex 603 rotary on the way to me and I am looking at going with the Optimum 8" double-sided twisted wool pads for doing the cutting work. Being double-sided it looks like it would be able to get into some tight places and also be a little safer since there isn't an exposed backing plate.
 
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