Spring Buff - product change

Stee6043 said:
$1,000 for a 40' boat? Holy crap man. The marina's around me charge 3X+ that amount...
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The 40' Regal sedan was about $1200 if I recall, that was 12 years ago though. The last 2 32' ers were around $800 each.
 
spikedaddy99 said:
I'm using the same product I've always used...my credit card. F that on a 50' blue boat!
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I said that after buffing a relatively new 34 foot blue boat with a hard top. Then I sold it and got a bigger one with an Awlcraft painted hull. That should be easier to take care of - once the boat yard repairs the big gouge they put in the side.
 
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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Exactly. And no one is going to take better care of the boat than me. I definitely don't a "guy" in my area that would do post-outing washdowns so I'm 100% doing that.

I think I've told this story before but it's relevant. I've always been very conscientious about cleaning and maintaining the boat, and it looked fabulous. About 10 years ago we were considering moving from our 270 AJ to a 290 AJ and went to go look at one that was 1 year older than our boat. The boat was not well cared for. It had grime and mildew all over, and a lot of little broken/loose parts that could have easily been fixed early. After we got in the car my wife said to me, NOW I understand why you are SO nuts about cleaning the boat. Keep it up.
 
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?
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i like the idea but I’m so crazy and ocd that if there actually was a difference I’d never be able to unsee it for the season.
 
Strecker25 said:
i like the idea but I’m so crazy and ocd that if there actually was a difference I’d never be able to unsee it for the season.
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That could turn into a ton of work as you pick the best product. Then reverse products for a pass on each side and finish up with your final pass with your selected product. That way each side has been treated equally and you can put your mind to rest and go see the doctor about this pain in your left shoulder.
 
Strecker25 said:
i like the idea but I’m so crazy and ocd that if there actually was a difference I’d never be able to unsee it for the season.
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I hear you, OCD is a good thing when owning a boat, but will drive you crazy. I have it as well. In this case try to let your OCD go and "do nothing" until it's time to re-do next season. Then go with the one you liked.
 
This thread is a good reminder...I better start training now
workout.JPG
 
I’ve been following a program consisting of
1-(only if needed) 3m compound
2nd- 3m finesse it
3rd- meguirs swirl remover#9
4th- two coats of collinite wax and then usually apply another collinite coat
sometime in the summer.
I’ve had very good results, but I am intrigued by the strarke products. Can anyone tell me which would be a similar starting point as the finesse it, in the starke product line?
 
kvduff said:
I’ve been following a program consisting of
1-(only if needed) 3m compound
2nd- 3m finesse it
3rd- meguirs swirl remover#9
4th- two coats of collinite wax and then usually apply another collinite coat
sometime in the summer.
I’ve had very good results, but I am intrigued by the strarke products. Can anyone tell me which would be a similar starting point as the finesse it, in the starke product line?
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I asked them the same question and haven't heard back yet but best I can gather and based on the spec sheets Finesse-IT is in between elevate and Ignition but Ignition is closer to your swirl remover

I'm going to do a small section using just ignition when the products show up because the hull sides were fresh off a Finesse-it pass from last season. I expect to pick up a bit more gloss than I had previously. Even 3M recognizes Finesse-it as a glaze and recommends a finishing step before sealing
 
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.
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I am no longer doing it. Did it the first few years, but with distance from my home to winter storage and the access hours to the building, it took so many trips back and forth.
A few years back, I started having some really good friends do it as that is their profession. I had thought I did a decent job myself until the pros did it and I saw a major difference. They do it now. I just wash it on the weekends and hit any problem areas that develop throughout the season. They get it all set up, I try to maintain.
 
Personally I enjoy doing it but the older I get, I can see where I may have to stop. Hopefully my boys will step in at that point.
 
Njlarry said:
Before starting the spring compound polish wax ritual are you guys removing the wax with a remover, a good wash or not at all?
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I do a full wipe down with a pretty heavy concentration of vinegar. Say a 50/50 mix with 30% concentrate vinegar. I follow with a bit of water, then straight to polish/wax...
 
There is a similar thread on polishing that some one introduced the a Dewalt cordless unit. Anyone know off the top what thread it was? I want to get one but I want to get the right one.
Thanks

Found it, gave up too soon!
Cheers
 
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I’m still a few weeks out from taking the wrap off but I was at the boat for other work today and had to try ignition on a small spot. I have to say, I’m impressed. I put my cell phone light against the gelcoat and I do not see a single swirl or scratch in the finish. I can’t say the same about the results from Finesse-it II

it was also very simple to use and easy to remove. Looking forward to getting the wrap off and really starting the job!
 
Strecker25 said:
I’m still a few weeks out from taking the wrap off but I was at the boat for other work today and had to try ignition on a small spot. I have to say, I’m impressed. I put my cell phone light against the gelcoat and I do not see a single swirl or scratch in the finish. I can’t say the same about the results from Finesse-it II

it was also very simple to use and easy to remove. Looking forward to getting the wrap off and really starting the job!
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@Strecker25
Starke Ignition and which pad?
Yellow polishing?

I just ordered elevate and ignition.
I have no affiliation to the site i bought from, but as an aside, can get 15% off list. PM if you want the details. They're not a sponsor so didn't want to post here.
 
Shaps said:
@Strecker25
Starke Ignition and which pad?
Yellow polishing?

I just ordered elevate and ignition.
I have no affiliation to the site i bought from, but as an aside, can get 15% off list. PM if you want the details. They're not a sponsor so didn't want to post here.
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Quick pass with elevate on a 3m wool yellow pad, then Ignition on a 3m black foam polishing pad (3m PN 05707)

both ran about 1800rpm in a criss cross pattern until the product completely dried or had worked off on its own. It Didn’t require much of a wipe to remove the remaining residue.

I’m going to do a quick elevate pass but my Hull sides probably don’t need it since I’ve compounded and glazed with 3M products for the past two years. Starke products seem to go faster though, so this year I’m going to stick with the 3 step process. My final step is the Starke hybrid sealant
 
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