Spring Buff - product change

Keeps them a little shiny.
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I stopped doing the DIY thing after 27'. How you guys do these 40'+ boats is beyond me! Whatever boat I eventually get one of the first calls I make will be to a boat detail company.
 
Carver370 said:
The picture of the entire boat was taken in September and the picture up close was taken at the beginning of November. View attachment 119757 View attachment 119758
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you guys might have convinced me. Something in the back of my mind with Smoove was the fact they combined a polish and finish in one. I know there are absolutely no shortcuts in these processes so I’m wondering if the product is a tiny bit “gimmicky”

so, i might try Starke. It seems more in line with the 3M stuff of the past.

I just emailed their customer service to get some suggestions but has anyone used Ignition after Elevate, followed by the sealant? Ignition seems to be what other vendors would call a swirl remover or finishing polish and is a very fine grit (1500+) where elevate looks more like Finesse-IT (1200)
 
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Strecker25 said:
you guys might have convinced me. Something in the back of my mind with Smoove was the fact they combined a polish and finish in one. I know there are absolutely no shortcuts in these processes so I’m wondering if the product is a tiny bit “gimmicky”

so, i might try Starke. It seems more in line with the 3M stuff of the past.

I just emailed their customer service to get some suggestions but has anyone used Ignition after Elevate, followed by the sealant? Ignition seems to be what other vendors would call a swirl remover or finishing polish and is a very fine grit (1500+) where elevate looks more like Finesse-IT (1200)
Click to expand...


Yes I have. I used it in some areas but didn’t have a noticable enough of a difference in the direct light or with a good LED light to go through the effort. I am pretty good with a rotary and always keep a clean pad, you would be hard pressed to find swirls anywhere.

Ignition really makes a colored hull pop though.

You’re absolutely right about any product that has a cut and finish in one. It won’t last. Those are great products for cleaning up scuffs and minor corrections in the middle of the season.

I’ve owned a marine detailing business for a very long time. My fiancé now runs, manages, and does the work for that company. We have tried EVERYTHING.
 
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@Strecker25 I know there are absolutely no shortcuts in these processes so I’m wondering if the product is a tiny bit “gimmicky”

if this is gimmicky…. Then I am all in on gimmicky…. I have been using Smooze products for 3 years now. Very happy

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Carver370 said:
Yes I have. I used it in some areas but didn’t have a noticable enough of a difference in the direct light or with a good LED light to go through the effort. I am pretty good with a rotary and always keep a clean pad, you would be hard pressed to find swirls anywhere.

Ignition really makes a colored hull pop though.

You’re absolutely right about any product that has a cut and finish in one. It won’t last. Those are great products for cleaning up scuffs and minor corrections in the middle of the season.

I’ve owned a marine detailing business for a very long time. My fiancé now runs, manages, and does the work for that company. We have tried EVERYTHING.
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great, thanks! I'll get a bottle of each but might reserve the 3 step for the topsides this time around and compare the two. I usually run out of time between when its safe to take the wrap off and launch and doing the whole boat in a 3 step will be pushing it.

I'll keep asking questions if you don't mind --

1) Hybrid Marine Sealant vs. Hyper Hold. Any experience? I don't need massive UV protection because we're in upstate NY and that's what Hyper Hold appears to be for

2) what pads are you using for each? I've always used white 3M wool for heavy cut then yellow 3M wool for polish.
 
Blueone said:
@Strecker25 I know there are absolutely no shortcuts in these processes so I’m wondering if the product is a tiny bit “gimmicky”

if this is gimmicky…. Then I am all in on gimmicky…. I have been using Smooze products for 3 years now. Very happy

View attachment 119760 View attachment 119761 View attachment 119762
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It's beautiful for sure. Is it both the bubble gum then followed by the cloud sealant? I should have said the gimmicky part is combining the two, only because I've had poor lasting results with 2-in-1 products.
 
Strecker25 said:
It's beautiful for sure. Is it both the bubble gum then followed by the cloud sealant? I should have said the gimmicky part is combining the two, only because I've had poor lasting results with 2-in-1 products.
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Bubble then cloud….
There isn’t a right answer out there other then what you like…. Brent just said he likes Collinite 885…. I hated it and left a full container by the door to storage with a sign saying free…. It was gone in seconds
 
SeaNile said:
I stopped doing the DIY thing after 27'. How you guys do these 40'+ boats is beyond me! Whatever boat I eventually get one of the first calls I make will be to a boat detail company.
Click to expand...
For the same reason many of us do any to all of our own work, It is cathartic and is just part of the experience. Some of us are just wired differently. I have friends that don't so much as hose the boat down themselves after a run because they have a guy for that. I have a problem paying someone for something I can do myself even though it does take my time, which I value greatly. I totally get why folks pay professionals and don't judge anyone for how they choose to maintain the boat, I only judge harshly, those that let boats decay due to lack of care.
CD
 
Carpediem44DB said:
For the same reason many of us do any to all of our own work, It is cathartic and is just part of the experience. Some of us are just wired differently. I have friends that don't so much as hose the boat down themselves after a run because they have a guy for that. I have a problem paying someone for something I can do myself even though it does take my time, which I value greatly. I totally get why folks pay professionals and don't judge anyone for how they choose to maintain the boat, I only judge harshly, those that let boats decay due to lack of care.
CD
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Oh I totally get it! But a 3 step process on a 40-50' boat is some serious dedication.
 
Strecker25 said:
great, thanks! I'll get a bottle of each but might reserve the 3 step for the topsides this time around and compare the two. I usually run out of time between when its safe to take the wrap off and launch and doing the whole boat in a 3 step will be pushing it.

I'll keep asking questions if you don't mind --

1) Hybrid Marine Sealant vs. Hyper Hold. Any experience? I don't need massive UV protection because we're in upstate NY and that's what Hyper Hold appears to be for

2) what pads are you using for each? I've always used white 3M wool for heavy cut then yellow 3M wool for polish.
Click to expand...


1. I started out using Hyper Hold. It works great but is a little more difficult to use. I don’t think it’s needed up north. We pretty much strictly use Hybrid Marine Sealant, as I mentioned I put on two coats, mainly to make sure I don’t miss spots. It’s easy putting it on with a DA and a black foam finishing pad.

2. I buy my pads from Starke also. https://starkeyachtcare.com/collect...-buff-and-shine-double-sided-cutting-wool-pad
You can use the yellow for polishing for sure but I normally don’t need to. The yellow would be perfect for Ignition if you went to that step.

Last season I did the entire topside with Level-R, Elevate, and then Hybrid Marine Sealant. However that was my first season with the boat and the gel coat wasn’t the greatest. I think the prior owner must have paid someone to cleaner wax the boat each winter. It looked ok.

This season I’ll only need a very light pass with Elevate and go right to the HMS.
 
Carver370 said:
1. I started out using Hyper Hold. It works great but is a little more difficult to use. I don’t think it’s needed up north. We pretty much strictly use Hybrid Marine Sealant, as I mentioned I put on two coats, mainly to make sure I don’t miss spots. It’s easy putting it on with a DA and a black foam finishing pad.

2. I buy my pads from Starke also. https://starkeyachtcare.com/collect...-buff-and-shine-double-sided-cutting-wool-pad
You can use the yellow for polishing for sure but I normally don’t need to. The yellow would be perfect for Ignition if you went to that step.

Last season I did the entire topside with Level-R, Elevate, and then Hybrid Marine Sealant. However that was my first season with the boat and the gel coat wasn’t the greatest. I think the prior owner must have paid someone to cleaner wax the boat each winter. It looked ok.

This season I’ll only need a very light pass with Elevate and go right to the HMS.
Click to expand...

thanks!
 
SeaNile said:
I stopped doing the DIY thing after 27'. How you guys do these 40'+ boats is beyond me! Whatever boat I eventually get one of the first calls I make will be to a boat detail company.
Click to expand...
And I thought I got lazy as I got older. I wrote the check for my last 3 boats, 40', 32' and 32'. It was about $1000 if I recall, money well spent and kept me out of my doctors office the next week :)

I have too many nagging injuries (shoulder, elbow, knees, back) which is the main reason I pay for this one. Keeps my on the tennis court :) Otherwise I'd be in there doing it as I still have all of the buffers, polishers, pads, etc.

I do do my own cars though.

Strecker25 said:
great, thanks! I'll get a bottle of each but might reserve the 3 step for the topsides this time around and compare the two. I usually run out of time between when its safe to take the wrap off and launch and doing the whole boat in a 3 step will be pushing it.

I'll keep asking questions if you don't mind --

1) Hybrid Marine Sealant vs. Hyper Hold. Any experience? I don't need massive UV protection because we're in upstate NY and that's what Hyper Hold appears to be for

2) what pads are you using for each? I've always used white 3M wool for heavy cut then yellow 3M wool for polish.
Click to expand...
Why not use both as a test, do the port with one and starboard with another?
 
mrsrobinson said:
And I thought I got lazy as I got older. I wrote the check for my last 3 boats, 40', 32' and 32'. It was about $1000 if I recall, money well spent and kept me out of my doctors office the next week :)

I have too many nagging injuries (shoulder, elbow, knees, back) which is the main reason I pay for this one. Keeps my on the tennis court :) Otherwise I'd be in there doing it as I still have all of the buffers, polishers, pads, etc.

I do do my own cars though.


Why not use both as a test, do the port with one and starboard with another?
Click to expand...

$1,000 for a 40' boat? Holy crap man. The marina's around me charge 3X+ that amount...
 
You guys are killing me. Between this thread and @MonacoMike spending the past year hyping up Starke, I'd order a set of it today, if I didn't already have backup bottles of Smoove sitting in the garage (plus a bottle of Bubble Gum in the detail bucket I take to storage with me)...

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