Jet Ski - Gel Coat

Y2KSVT

Y2KSVT

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Hey guys. My buddy just text me a couple of pictures of a new-to-him jet ski he just picked up and asked if I could buff it out for him. He'd need it done tonight, but I don't know if I have the tools I need as I've never worked on gel coat. At my current disposal, I have a PC7424XP with orange 5.5" flat pads being the heaviest cut, and a little bit of M105 left, and I can pickup some UC as well. Would this combo work on a slightly oxidized gel coat?

From what I've read in a short period of time, it's rotary + wool pad, which I have neither. Should I pass on this last minute detail?
 
Turns out he was quoted $75 from a marina to acid wash, buff and then wax the jet ski. That's less than I would charge, due to the extra time it would naturally take, and with attention to detail. I know nothing about jet skis or gel coat, so I've gotta ask, what is an "acid wash"? Sounds harsh.
 
Y2KSVT said:
Turns out he was quoted $75 from a marina to acid wash, buff and then wax the jet ski. That's less than I would charge, due to the extra time it would naturally take, and with attention to detail. I know nothing about jet skis or gel coat, so I've gotta ask, what is an "acid wash"? Sounds harsh.
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If it's water spotted, the calcium deposits in the water are what causes the spots. (Coles notes version, LOL). Acid is used to break down the calcium. Water spot remover, ranging from Vinegar (Acetic acid) to actual products made for water spot removal all have some type of acid in them. My un-educated guess, hehehe.
 
Acid Wash is used on colored Gel coat boats, most common product is one called FSR(Can't remember who makes it). Lots of places won't do this unless they have a recovery system for the water. Basically you spray the cleaner, let it dwell and then scrub off the stains, you'll need gloves and eye protection. This usually is only done to really crusty stained gel coats. My buddy shuttles boats all over the world and they do this a lot but they move boats from Asia to the east Pacific and through out the Mediterrean, long treks open seas plenty of salt and weather on big dollar yachts. It's nasty work acid washing those beasts.

I'd question the need as I have never done that to any jet ski I've owned, ridden or been near. Has this thing been sitting in salt water? What's the manufacturer as if it's that crusty there might be cooling system issues and the jet drive might need looked at.

I only ever polish with M105 on a surbuf then seal with a couple of coats of DG501 and 105. Do this once a year on my two, wash them every trip out and if in salt water I use ARO to clean them up(I always flush and wash at the launch station when I pull them out of salt water). Both my boats have over 300 hours on them and never need any more than this.

I'd walk on this buddy or not, sounds like it could be a mess. Any pics? Hard to believe a ski is that bad as they usually are not sitting in water and weather(pulled in and out or at least on ride up docks).
 
richy said:
If it's water spotted, the calcium deposits in the water are what causes the spots. (Coles notes version, LOL). Acid is used to break down the calcium. Water spot remover, ranging from Vinegar (Acetic acid) to actual products made for water spot removal all have some type of acid in them. My un-educated guess, hehehe.
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If they're acid washing for water spots, especially fresh water, that's bad. Like I said in my previous post, seen this done to 100' open water yachts to get them prepped for the season or a new owner. Nasty nasty work. Helped my buddy about 8 years ago, after I got divorced took about 9 months off work, we moved a 110' yacht from NZ to to Singapore when we got there they Acid washed the boat, repaired the coat and resprayed it for some big dollar business man. That was hard work for those poor guys and they did it in a dry dock in a week.
 
From the two pictures he text me, I can make out that it's a blue Yamaha Super Jet with a Twin Carb. That's from reading the lettering on the jet ski itself, not from any knowledge of these machines. We live in the midwest, so my guess is that it's only seen fresh water from any of the local lakes around here. It's a stand up jet ski from what he's said.

Regardless, tonight wasn't going to work for me either way, so it's probably best that he take it to the marina. He'd probably try to talk me down, anyway. lol
 
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