Oxidize Gel-coat Clean-up

Blu_Lunch · #1 08-11-2006, 10:41 PM

NOTE: I know it's not my V-20 ,it's in the back round and it was done already. *Our 88 Sea-Ray Seville has a mint hull but it was really oxidized and really chalky looking so it was nice so out came the polisher and we spent about 2 hours compounding the entire boat. I left the hull unwaxed to show what a little work can do and the big inprovment. To start with you need a real polisher not the cheap orbital one because it won't cut it. I have a Milwaukee 11 amp variable speed polisher with a lamb bonnet.

I used Star-Brite medium cut compound, start by appling with a clean rag to about a 2x2 area do not let dry start your polisher and work in circles with a little effort next thing you will know you be watching your reflection in the hull. DO NOT STOP ANYWHERE YOU WILL HEAT THE GEL-COAT UP AND BURN IT, KEEP IT MOVING AT ALL TIMES. *Repeat the steps for the entire boat you will be amazed at the results. I did my V-20 compound and wax in 2 hours. One final tip if your bonnet gets cakes with oxided gel-coat shut the polisher off , turn it on it lowest speed lock the trigger and place it on its back{ Milwaukee was a rest built in for this} and use a wire brush to clean and re-fluff the bonnet and use your foot to hold the polisher while doing this........Next post a bunch of Before and after pics.....Ted

Blu_Lunch · #2 08-11-2006, 10:42 PM

Blu_Lunch · #3 08-11-2006, 10:43 PM

Blu_Lunch · #4 08-11-2006, 10:45 PM

None of these photo does the hull have wax.......

phester · #5 08-11-2006, 11:03 PM

wow blu, nice !When you comin' over w/ the Millwalkee, gotta case of cold beer for ya ;D

#6 08-12-2006, 10:55 AM

one other tip. always make sure the buffer is rolling off the edges. for example, when buffing along an edge make sure that right side of the buffer is the only part touching the boat . if the wheel rolls into the edge you will burn the paint/gelcoat for sure. as far as cleaning the bonnet goes i have never tried the wire brush but a screwdriver will do the job. they also sell a spur for this. if ur feeling realy ambitious you can get a foam egg crate style wheel and finish her off with a little 3M fine grit polishing compound!
looks good B_L great job

Blu_Lunch · #7 08-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the other tip, we just finished waxing it with Collinite I'll post a finished picture later......

Blu_Lunch · #8 08-12-2006, 05:57 PM

Here's the finished boat and we detailed the interior too.

reelapeelin · #9 08-14-2006, 08:25 AM

Good work, Blu, but dayum you make me feel guilty w/ all that WORK :P ...

Blue_Runner · #10 08-14-2006, 10:34 AM

No kiddin! *Nice work. *Now you need to go get it dirty and make sure you leave it in the water so the scum line can stain the sides to make us all feel better *;D