How to get the blue back!

[ctag1003]

Does anyone have a recommendation for wax or product to get the blue shine back in my blue hull! Anything to hid scratches? What is the average price for bottom painting and waxing. I have a 260 sundancer. The guy wants $1025 to paint micron bottom paint, wax the hull and top. Am I getting robbed?

 

[Zorba]

Thats sounds like a pretty fair price to me.

If he is just waxing though you are not going to get the luster that you are after. You really need to have it compound buffed, polished then waxed. That will definately cost more than what he has quoted you.

 

[play dough]

The price for painting and polishing doesn't sound out of reason, but wax isn't going to do anything to bring the color out on the hull sides. I have a friend that does that type of service as a retirement activity. He uses Presta products which I believe are a professional line of auto and marine finish products. Going from memory, I'm thinking he charges about $18/foot. I get the "friend" rate so not positive on the price. He wheeled out my 1989 hull last fall and it absolutely shines with a wet look after the polishing and waxing with a good paste wax (Collonite). All of the oxidation haze has been removed which is what has to be done to revive your color. Otherwise, you're just putting a gloss on a "foggy/hazy" surface.

 

[Deuceornothing]

This thread is by far the best I have seen on what it takes to get it looking right. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/52772-tips-compound-polish-wax.html

I used Presta products for my boat and it looks great. From the prices you have shown above I would say depending on what kind of detail he is going to do you might not be paying enough and he may cut corners with that price. I'm not accusing but my brother just paid a guy $350 for a 3 step compound buff and detail of his 260. The detailers 3 steps and my 3 steps are very different. I would ask your detailer exactly what he is providing you for that price. Good luck

 

[1956olds]

Also if he is painting the bottom,has it been painted before?If not it will need to be washed down with a mold release agentthen sanded.If its already painted make sure he sands it and uses a paint that will work with the existing paint.

 

[JVM225]

My hobby for many years now is detailing cars. Boats are a little different in that the Gel Coat is lot more resilient, but the principles are the same. To start with, you always want to go with the least aggressive method/products to accomplish correction of a discolored, finely scratched, fade, oxidized, etc., surface. If it is really bad you might want to start with a wet sanding, that would be followed by compounding with a product designed for that purpose and the appropriate pad on a good quality rotary machine ( I use my Makita 9227). After compounding you would then use the same machine with a suitable pad and polish. Once you have the surface the best you can get it you need to protect it with either a wax or a sealant. The best way to think about it is in terms of sanding a piece of wood smooth. If the wood is really rough you would start with an aggressive grit sandpaper, and then work your way to the finest grit using a few level in between. Once it is sanded smooth you would protect it with something. Think of the wet sanding as the starting grit, followed by compound which is a little less aggressive, and then a polish which would be the finest step. I would start with a polish and appropriate pad in a small area. If it does what you want to do then that's all you need. If not, move up to a compound and more aggressive pad, if that works then you're set, if not than you need to start to think about wet sanding.

 

[ctag1003]

Thank you everyone! I'll let you know how it works out and post before and after photos!

 

[HUMPH]

Look into Presta Products, best product on the market. I recommend their Gel Coat Compound followed by a good polish then wax. You will be very happy with the results! If you do choose to have someone do this for you, I recommend they use these products for you.

 

[Boatin Bill]

Read the link above or below from the sail boat forum!! I agree with all the comments on the "Presta Products". The guy that wrote it knows what he is talking about and put a lot of time into details, pictures, and a written description. As a former auto body guy and one who paints his own classic cars I was quite impressed with his write up! It actually taught me a few things. I have a 06 black hull boat that was heavily oxidized and now it looks like a million bucks. I followed his instructions to the letter.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

 

[ctag1003]

Did the three step process....no wet sand ....boat came great....but i used my friends pro auto detailers and just paid time and material. . .....saved big bucks......presta products and recommended wax were perfect......by the way, my brother is a former Assisant Secretary of the Navy and he used your signature quote from Chesterton in a speach he gave once to some troops. First and only time i heard it until today.....its a good one.