The official boat polishing thread !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use Meguires Flagship Wax with an orbital polisher.

I have also used the line of Yacht Brite products. They make a product called Serious Shine in an areosol. We used it inside the head, works great to keep hair spray from sticking, and makes wiping down a breeze.

I used Y.B.'s Buff Magic on an oxidized spot of our 270, and it brought the gel back to the day 1 shine. I used an orbital polisher with NO pressure on the pad, followed by Y.B.'s Pro Polish good stuff.

I've tried Sea Power, great results. I really like Starbrites black streak remover too.

Oh yea...Jermey, ditto :thumbsup: :smt038
 
Dave S said:
OK folks......let's hear how you keep your Sea Ray shining and looking like new! Tell us what your "shine routine" is and what products you use. A couple of pictures wouldn't hurt either. :grin:
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Just follow what ever 280 tells you to do... you know he has it figured out. Oh, and I'm also VERY glad to see you Jeremy. :smt038
 
Let me be the first to put ZAINO at the top of the list.

I have used everything out there and found ZAINO has the wettest-looking, clearest, deepest, and longest lasting finish. I also found it to be the easiest to apply and remove.

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I just finished using Collinite fiberglass cleaner and Collinite Carnuba Wax and had terrific results. All by hand whew! But I have bought an orbital buffer so the next coat hopefully will go quicker. I am told this should last 3-6 months (covered berth) and the maintanence will be less....Am I gullable? Stuff is hard to find but looks fantastic.

Cheers Jeremy!

P.S. Jeremy, best parade of Christmas lights on the Delta?
 
We used Collinite Wax for the first time this year too. Applied April 2006, hull is still shining after 80 hours of use and sitting in an uncovered slip. Fresh to brackish water. Expensive but so far it appears to be worth the extra cost.
 
Hifi: Your boat looks Great. :smt038 Did you use all the steps Zaino recommends or what? JC3
 
HIFI's boat does look great. One thing to consider though, and it dawned on us big time this weekend, a covered slip makes a HUGE difference. We saw Alex's 340 in a covered slip along with 50+ other Sea Rays in covered slips. Every single one shined and looked freshly waxed. Not taking anythign away from HIFI's detailing strategy, just making everyone aware of this.

We wax our topsides every couple of weeks during the summer and they still oxidize between waxings. The sun is your enemy here.
 
On the subject of polishing, what can you guys recommend to repair scratches? One time the boat got caught in the storm being in the slip and one of the slip protective rubbers shifted exposing a nail head, which out number of deep scratches. Is it something I can fix on my own or taking it to the local dealer is the best option?

Thanks,
Alex.
 
Similar thing happened to our 2400 Maxum. 3M rubbing coumpound and some elbow grease got most of them out.

If you have gelcoat damage you may need to take her in for the repair.
 
Alex F said:
On the subject of polishing, what can you guys recommend to repair scratches? One time the boat got caught in the storm being in the slip and one of the slip protective rubbers shifted exposing a nail head, which out number of deep scratches. Is it something I can fix on my own or taking it to the local dealer is the best option?Thanks,Alex.
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White is pretty easy to fix. Buy the gelcoat and layer some on over the scratches. Sand and wet sand followed by Finesse II. Wax the work area. If it's a colored gel coat, a pro is probably the way to go, but it costs you little to try it. The pro can alway go over your work. SBW
 
Polish

I've also used all the standard commercial products on the market. Then I came across "KLASSE". It's a one step heavy duty non-abbrasive cleaner protector invented in Germany. It's easy to apply and no dryiong time is needed. The shine easy last's 8 to 10 months and can be extended to 12 to 14 by applying the High Gloss Sealant Glaze by KLASSE. I have converted serveral of the guys on my dock to this product. Unfortunately KLASSE is not available at stores but can be purchased through various web sites. Just do a search on Google under the brand name KLASSE.
 
Polish

I really don't know why the polish is not available in stores. I came accross it in a magazine called Herrington and have been unable to find it in any stores in the Cincinnati area.
 
+1 for Zaino. Especially if you follow all of their steps. It and Klasse are the two most recommended for high-end cars and anything else you want to keep shiny.

Zaino applied:





www.zainostore.com to review/order.
 
Th 10" Random orbitals are not really the best. I have a Porter Cable 7424 (DA), like many others here. There are also many with the Meguiar's unit. They are a smaller dia 6" or 7" pad and allow for multiple velcro backed pads to be used and swapped easily.

Before you are getting to the DA stage, a rotary buffer (I use a Makita 9227C) is ideal to achieve the best shine with a compound or intermediate compound.

I just did most of my boat a couple weeks ago and will be finishing this upcoming week.
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The 2" wide side vinyl stripe on my 2000 SR 210 BR is buggered over about a 10' length. Where do you buy sticky repair vinyl, looks to be black. I guess it would be easy to splice in a piece like the old reel to reel mag tape, diagonally cut. No apparent gel damage under neath or at least minimal.
 
Newman said:
Regarding the oribital polishers... Is this something like what you guys are using http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-random-orbit-polisher-waxer-61420.html ?

I'd rather change my oil than polish something (although I really like the results) so I'm all about making it quicker and easier. Good thread. I'll be checking out Zanio or Klasse
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if you are trying to bring back a shine to gelcoat that has oxidized you will have better success using a 'rotary buffer' instead of an 'orbital polisher'......the polisher will not spin fast enough to generate enough heat and friction to cut through heavy oxidation.....Harbor Freight also sells rotary buffers....i have one from them and have used it for the past 3-4 years....it works well, especially for the cost....at their price point (around $40 IIRC) the buffer is 'disposable' after a few years of use if you have any problems with it.....

lots of good reading on the subject in the Fiberglass/Wood/Gelcoat Repair forum....
 
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Thanks for the info comments regarding the polisher. Not really much oxidation. Just enough I can tell a difference from last year so I'm not sure I need to step up to the buffer. I'll compare the harbor-trash to the porter cable (I personally like porter cable stuff) to see the differences. The $100 delta between the two is a weekend on the water for me.
 
I picked up a Shurhold polisher last year. It seems to do the trick - It's kind of between and random orbital and a rotary buffer. Not cheap but works well.
 
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