First time detailing -- 18' boat (picture)

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SuperDave4x4

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Ok fellas.. And ladies.. This is my first attempt at detailing so bare with me.

I'll be detailing my parents (now mine haha) 2001 188cc Sailfish center console boat. To my knowledge it has never been detailed. The boat was bought new and used very little.

As for tools all I have is a HF rotary with the included hook and loop 7" backing plate. I'm looking for help on which pads to get for the rotary and which compound, polish and wax to get.

Here are a few pics of the specimen...


Exterior of the hull. Not bad at all. You can see where there was a water line sticker towards the bow but was removed.




Top side of the boat. I guess this would be light oxidation. It looks better in this picture that what it really is. The further forward you go the worse it gets. The sun hit the these areas regularly while under the shed.




The inside... This is the worst spot. No chalky residue when I run my hands over it, it just has no shine.




This is a little further down in the boat from where the above picture was taken. It was a little more protected from the sun.

So with those pictures I'm hoping that gives you experts a better idea of what I'm working with and help me out with which pads and product to use.

Any guidance is extremely appreciated!!!!!
 
62 views and no replys? I guess my thread title was misleading. Y'all probably thought the detailing was already completed.. Haha
 
Dave - I bought the five pack of white wool pads from HF at the same time I bought my Rotary. They worked great, and the price was good. I clean mine after every section (with the frowned-upon screwdriver method) and they are holding up great.
 
Also, check my reply to your post in my RV thread. I described which machines/pads I used for each product. The thread also has a pic of the products I used. Those products were recommended by boat people in a boat shop (since our gel-coat exterior is basically the same). Hope this helps. If you would like to discuss further, PM me your number and a preferred call-time, and I'll give you a call.
 
Keeping with the theme of least aggressive method first...

Have you tried a test spot with a nice all-in-one (AIO) product or cleaner wax such as Meguiar's M50 or Meguiar's Flagship Cleaner wax or some other similar offering? A marine cleaner wax such as those that Autogeek carries just might be the ticket on those sides since they don't appear to be that bad.

However, on the top-side you might be better served by a Meguiar's product called M67 One-step compound. It's a diminishing abrasive compound that cuts hard and fast and then breaks down into a nice fine polish that finishes nicely. I really can't see you having to use anything stronger than that even on the top-side. Shurhold's Buff Magic would be another one-step product that has good cut as well as finishes nicely. Yet another would be 3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Material...though the name recently changed (at least on the newest bottles) to 3M Marine Compound and Finishing Material (I think that's what it changed to).

There's no less than 3 products for you to consider that cut hard, fast, and finish nice. You will need to apply a sealer or a wax after using these products.

There are other products that also cut hard that would be good for doing that top-deck, but it would involve more than one step of work. It sort of depends on how much effort you want to exert and how much additional shine is worth the extra exertion. M67 produces a real nice shine on boats that are far worse than your photo's. Any of the 3 one-steps (3M, M67, Buf Magic) should offer you the shine you're looking for with the least amount of effort. All that's left to do is top it with some Collinite 846, or Collinite 885.

meguiars marine, meguiars mirror glaze marine, marine wax
Shurhold Marine & RV Care, Shurhold Buff Magic, Shurhold marine polish
Collinite Car Wax Products, Collinite Wax, Insulator Wax, collinite 845, collinite double coat

Autogeek is also offering a new line of products called Marine 31 boat care products, boat detail products, best boat wax , but it's only recently been released so there's not many peer reviews on it yet.

I would honestly try some test spots on the top-side and the hull using nothing more than a one of the cleaner waxes in the Meguiar's link that is provided.

Hope this was helpful.
 
I describe your work as talking to a boy about girls. Yeah I've seen it, bur wow and sheesh....

Where did you work on it? Water or land?

And the screwdriver method seems to not work if you are using it for different jobs, but for one boat it sounds fine IMO

Great job though!!!
 
wool pads, and aquabuff 1000 and 2000.

nothing wrong with the meguiars line above, but aquabuff is the cats meow.
 
Shawn, thanks for the info!

Hoytman, thank you for the details!

I had some Atwood cleaner wax from a while back and hand waxed parts of the boat. The side of the boat in the picture has some on it and I tried some on the helm. The side of the boat cleaned up some but a rotary and some good product would probably work much better. The helm soaked that stuff up and looked dull and faded a few hours later.

One of autogeek techs recommended Marine 31 Gel Coat Final Step Polish then the Marine 31 Gel Coat Carnauba Wax and Sealant.

As for how shiney I want it, I just want the boat to look nice. I know the interior of the boat needs more work but I don't want to spend countless hours making it more than showroom shiney. It's a fishing boat. Haha however having it waxed helps immensely when cleaning fish blood and slime. Not to mention when the water is dirty here it stains the side of boats if they are unprotected.

A two step process would probably be as far as I'd go on the interior. As for the exterior, an All In One sounds like it would work perfect... It correct me if I'm wrong.
 
primo spaghetti said:
wool pads, and aquabuff 1000 and 2000.

nothing wrong with the meguiars line above, but aquabuff is the cats meow.
Click to expand...

Another good suggestion and a product I've heard good things about, but never had the privaledge of trying. I think Jamestown Distributors carries that product.
 
SuperDave4x4 said:
As for how shiney I want it, I just want the boat to look nice. I know the interior of the boat needs more work but I don't want to spend countless hours making it more than showroom shiney. It's a fishing boat.
Click to expand...

Understand completely. I spend a lot of time each year walleye fishing in the walleye capitol of the world.

If my memory serves me, Aquabuff is very similar to Shurhold's Buff Magic and is also used similarly. Primo, I'm sure will correct me if I've misunderstood that product.

If you just want it to look nice, then to me it sounds like you want to spend minimal time taking care of your boat and still maintain a decent look.

In the regard of looking nice with minimal time involved I'd recommend the following products in no particular order:


M67
3M Marine Compound and Finishing Material...two similar products.

Buff Magic (two colors offering different amounts of cut, both pink and white)
Aquabuff (again offering two levels of cut)...two similar products.

Either of these 4 should sever you well in one step with wool on a rotary.
Topping it with Collinite of your choice using a dual action polisher makes the entire two steps a breeze. Then, go fishing.
 
Also,

By chance if you should ever want to try and get *more shine*, try doing a search for forum username B&B Tennessee. Anthony has produced some outstanding shine on some terrible looking and heavily neglected boats. It goes without saying that Anthony has perfected his technique.

By saying *more shine* I mean extreme (Anthony is good at creating this type of shine)...as in better than new, imo. However, if you're just a fisherman looking to maintain your boat any of the 4 products I mentioned should serve you well.

*More shine* requires a ton of work, but it sure does look nice.
 
Hoytman;

im not familiar with the shurhold product, but i beleive aquabuff is distributed if not made by duratec. we used to use in in the Neptunus plant i worked in when i was a young lad...if it was good enough for million dollar yachts, im certain it will appeal to all boat detailers. i love the stuff and its easy to work with and works like nothing else....and trust me, ive tried almost everything...

Another tip, guys are opticoating boats after all the hard work polishing and restoring!!!
 
Hoytman said:
Understand completely. I spend a lot of time each year walleye fishing in the walleye capitol of the world.

If my memory serves me, Aquabuff is very similar to Shurhold's Buff Magic and is also used similarly. Primo, I'm sure will correct me if I've misunderstood that product.

If you just want it to look nice, then to me it sounds like you want to spend minimal time taking care of your boat and still maintain a decent look.

In the regard of looking nice with minimal time involved I'd recommend the following products in no particular order:


M67
3M Marine Compound and Finishing Material...two similar products.

Buff Magic (two colors offering different amounts of cut, both pink and white)
Aquabuff (again offering two levels of cut)...two similar products.

Either of these 4 should sever you well in one step with wool on a rotary.
Topping it with Collinite of your choice using a dual action polisher makes the entire two steps a breeze. Then, go fishing.
Click to expand...

I take care of the boat. Both of my boats get hand washed after each use. No matter how long it's been in the water. I just don't want to waste an extra day for a little bit of extra shine. Fishing is kicking off hard here in Louisiana.... And I have to get this boat ready for the most part. The trout and redfish are calling my name. Haha

Which wool pads do y'all recommend? I can go get the harbor freight pads but I dont think they are compound or polish specific. Also I'm using a HF rotary for all the steps, no DA here..
 
SuperDave4x4 said:
I take care of the boat. Both of my boats get hand washed after each use. No matter how long it's been in the water. I just don't want to waste an extra day for a little bit of extra shine. Fishing is kicking off hard here in Louisiana.... And I have to get this boat ready for the most part. The trout and redfish are calling my name. Haha

Which wool pads do y'all recommend? I can go get the harbor freight pads but I dont think they are compound or polish specific. Also I'm using a HF rotary for all the steps, no DA here..
Click to expand...



Rotary buffer is most effective on gelcoat.

+1 B&B, did you see the blue and white boat he did recently, I seen it on facebook and all I can say is WOW.
 
SuperDave4x4 said:
I take care of the boat. Both of my boats get hand washed after each use. No matter how long it's been in the water. I just don't want to waste an extra day for a little bit of extra shine. Fishing is kicking off hard here in Louisiana.... And I have to get this boat ready for the most part. The trout and redfish are calling my name. Haha

Which wool pads do y'all recommend? I can go get the harbor freight pads but I dont think they are compound or polish specific. Also I'm using a HF rotary for all the steps, no DA here..
Click to expand...

Let me rephrase those first few sentences. I take care of my boat. This boat in the pictures was my parents but they brought it it me in Louisiana to fix and clean and use. They know I'll take care of it and eventually clean the hell out of it. Y'all should have seen it when I got it. DIRTY!!!
 
buff and shine and tuffbuff make excellent wool pads. the tuffbuff dont fray and shed like other wool pads for some reason.
 
primo spaghetti said:
buff and shine and tuffbuff make excellent wool pads. the tuffbuff dont fray and shed like other wool pads for some reason.
Click to expand...

Ill have to look them up. Honestly though ill probably order from auto geek because I received a coupon for signing up.


Just watched B&B Tennesse YouTube videos and all
I can say is I can't wait to start polishing this boat! I love restoring and seeing the end results!
 
primo spaghetti said:
Hoytman;

im not familiar with the shurhold product, but i beleive aquabuff is distributed if not made by duratec. we used to use in in the Neptunus plant i worked in when i was a young lad...if it was good enough for million dollar yachts, im certain it will appeal to all boat detailers. i love the stuff and its easy to work with and works like nothing else....and trust me, ive tried almost everything...
Click to expand...

Been searching for at least an hour and can't seem to find the video I'm looking for, but there's a video somewhere of Buff Magic being used at the factory (from 50 gallon drums of the product) on SeaRay boats, I think. I'll see if I can find it, but I think the two products are very similar. 3M makes two similar paste products (offered in gallons and possibly larger sizes too) as well, but you won't see it unless you search online for boating supply distributors.

Buff Magic won some sort of reward back in 2003 for their product.


primo spaghetti said:
Another tip, guys are opticoating boats after all the hard work polishing and restoring!!!
Click to expand...

This something I've considered doing, using opti-gard, but have yet to see any longevity reports on gel-coat. I'll likely hold off until I see some reviews on boats. I don't want to waste good product until I do see a longevity report on gel-coat, or at the least here something from Dr. G. It's likely that Dr. G. has already spoke on this topic and I've missed it.


Jamestown Distributors carries Aqua-Buff Polishing Compounds and it's very likely they get it from the folks you mention and simply sell it. They also carry the Buff Magic, but the prices are better here at Autogeek...especially the 4lb. pale price.
 
Ok, for the top side ill be using M67 but not sure which Collinte to choose just yet.

Now for the side of the boat.. If I use a cleaner wax do I need to put Collinite wax on it as well?

On auto geeks site I can only find a 'light cutting' wool pad. Can I use that to put on the cleaner wax too or do indeed to find something else?

I'm ordering from AG so the pads y'all recommend would have to be from their site.

Bare with me please.
 
I buffed out my father in laws boat a few weeks ago. It was a last minute beach trip so I didn't have time to order any marine products. I used a HF rotary also with a Megs wool pad(the ones I have are not sold on AG) It turned out great! Not showroom finish, but shiny enough for a fishing boat.

Products I used(What I had on hand)
-Megs 105(hull)
-Megs D151(topside)
-Collonite 845(hull)

Pick up some Collonite metal wax, it did wonders on all the metal.

I would pick up a heavy cutting pad for compounding, and a light cutting pad for a cleaner wax.

Here's Megs heavy cutting wool pad -

Meguiars Solo Wool Heavy Cutting Pad 7 inch, wool compounding pad, wool leveling pad, meguiars wool pad, swirl remover pad
 
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