The 2022 springtime Shine Thread

So you used Elevate on a rotary w/white wool pad and followed with the Ignition also on a rotary with the 3m black foam pad? How was the final finish? Swirl marks/holograms etc? Called Starke and they said the Elevate was not a diminishing abrasive product. That's why I asked about the finish. I realize I could use a yellow pad but I wondered which pad, wool or foam, might produce the best finish.

I did the yellow 3M wool pad for Elevate and then ignition finish coat was with the foam black 3m pad. Zero swirls, even in the late afternoon angled sun
 
Getting mine done this week.

I wanted to pull the boat at the first of the year and do bottom paint and give it a real good buffing while out of the water.
Because of the drought we have zero operable ramps on the north end of the lake until spring run off hits later this month.
So it is getting done in the water.
I gladly pay the $2,500.00 as I have done it in the water 2x and it is a bitch.
Her is my guy in the water.

Doing below the rub rail is a two day process for two of them.
When your in the skiff buffing it literally works every muscle in your body by 10 times. these guys are young and it kicked their ass. View attachment 125323

I'm still in my early 40's and I'm done with that game. I give you guys credit in your 50s/60s buffing out these large boats. It's a killer on your body. My boat is in the water full time. They won't even entertain allowing boats to be blocked and worked on in the yard. They truly have you by the balls.
 
I wouldn’t do it for electrocution reasons. I have enough trouble on land. You ever get the cord caught without a deadman?…. And then stand on a floatie !!… no reason to do that
What you talking about. It is all done by OSHA guidelines.
 
I was going to switch up this season and move to the smoove products but decide to stay with the same I’ve been using the last few years. Presta polish, meguiars mirror glaze, 2 coats of collinite. 8 hours and the port side is done. Beer, aspirin, sleep and start again tomorrow.


View attachment 124830 View attachment 124831
Looking to make a change this year on 330 Dancer with very slight oxidation. Considering Presta and Starke. See you've used Presta. I only have a Dewalt rotary. Can I ask your process - product, pads, equipment? Thanks.
 
Considering switching to Presta this season. What process did you you use for these great results?
Presta like everybody else has a variety of products to cover a variety of issues if it looks good most people just wash it real well cover it with a wax if it needs a little bit of attention maybe ultra cutting cream if it’s been a few years there’s a product called max complete that’s a polish and a compound then you can wax or I recommend our ceramic Hydroprotek in an expensive alternative
 
we rep Presta for Marine .. we are booming with the Presta Max complete.. and then Hydro protek
Contacted one of your associates re product recommendations. He suggested the Gel Coat on white wool with rotary followed by Maxfinishing with blue wool blend. (I'm not sure about HydroProk yet). I'm just a little concerned the Gel Coat might be too aggressive. I only own a rotary so he suggested the blue pad. He said the Maxfinishing is a polish/swirl remover and I shouldn't have swirl marks or holgrams after this 2 step process. Your thoughts or recommendations?
 
Contacted one of your associates re product recommendations. He suggested the Gel Coat on white wool with rotary followed by Maxfinishing with blue wool blend. (I'm not sure about HydroProk yet). I'm just a little concerned the Gel Coat might be too aggressive. I only own a rotary so he suggested the blue pad. He said the Maxfinishing is a polish/swirl remover and I shouldn't have swirl marks or holgrams after this 2 step process. Your thoughts or recommendations?

Gel coat compound is a great product.. you can always thin it with water..
sounds all good to me..
 
Unwrapped today. Washed down the starboard side and began the process.
View attachment 124252
This is one pass with Starke elevate and one pass with Starke ignition on my rotary.
I'm going to use the ignition on the forced rotation DA and see if it makes a difference.

Not bad I think.
Will follow this up with 2 coats of collinite fleetwax 885 before she gets splashed.
Is this the process you suggested since I only have the rotary? One pass with Elevate on white pad with rotary and then second pass with Ignition with yellow pad and rotary? Was there a significant difference when you hit it again with the forced rotation DA? Thanks
 
Is this the process you suggested since I only have the rotary? One pass with Elevate on white pad with rotary and then second pass with Ignition with yellow pad and rotary? Was there a significant difference when you hit it again with the forced rotation DA? Thanks
I think the better question to ask is, if I didn't have the forced DA would i be satisfied. Answer is yes.

@Geowh
I think time to pull the trigger and get going! The season has begun!

And don't forget you need to wax after all this!
 
3.5 months later and still shiny and hydrophobic

PXL_20220806_133600899.jpg
 
I’d add to this thread that I’m a full believer in the Smoove products at this point. I’ll need to grab a photo but my topside has stayed cleaner and has held a better shine this year than ever before. And that’s with only their compound and polish (which includes wax), not the third wax only step.

I’ve also been using the Smoove soap this year. I don’t know if it’s the soap or the wax but it seems like their soap gets the boat much cleaner than my prior go-to WM boat soap.
 
I’ll get a Starke pic this week. Very happy as well! Been using their soap weekly on a foam cannon
 
After reading this thread and messaging a few of you, I plan to use Starke products this fall/winter on the topsides for the first time with Collinite No. 885 Fleetwax Paste Wax.

Can I polish and do the Radar dome with these? I don't see why not.
 
After reading this thread and messaging a few of you, I plan to use Starke products this fall/winter on the topsides for the first time with Collinite No. 885 Fleetwax Paste Wax.

Can I polish and do the Radar dome with these? I don't see why not.

Yes you can
 

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