Spring detailing

[stg099]

Thought I’d share a couple of shots of the finished product after putting some work in on trying to make my “new to me” 2004 280da look as good as I can. The lighting is awful as the boat is still in winter indoor storage, but I think it still shows off the result fairly well. I’m by no means an expert, but my process was as follows.

1) Quick Wash with spray bottle of water and a few drops of dawn dish soap
2) Buff magic with makita rotary and wool compounding pad. (Speed 2)
3) 3M finesse it with makita rotary and yellow wool polishing pad (speed 2.5 to 3)
4) another round of finesse it with porter cable 7424xp and a white foam polishing pad (speed 5) this step was to get rid of any holograms left by the rotary
5) collinite fleetwax by hand to finish it off

After seeing some of the professional results that folks have posted here that was my goal, but I know now why they charge what they do. I enjoyed the work, but it’s a LOT of work to get the results you think you should be able to. I use the tools in detailing our cars once a year as well, so this wasn’t a one time investment, if it were I’d have considered hiring the job out, but I had fun with it. My shoulders on the other hand, are still protesting 4 days later!

 

[KevinC]

Looks great. The dark hulls require a lot of luvin but repay when they shine.

Its a labor of love but I still do it every year. Just love seeing a shine when I walk up to my boat and I am sure you will too.

-Kevin

 

[stg099]

Thanks Kevin. I'm hopeful that if I stay on top of it that the ongoing maintenance won't be as bad as this year was. I have a feeling that it hadn't been done in at least a few seasons prior to me owning it.

Sorry for the sideways pictures! not sure how to adjust that

 

[Blueone]

Sorry for the sideways pictures! not sure how to adjust that

Just crop them a tiny amount on your phone before saving them and they flip around when sending to your computer or posting. No idea why but it works.

Looks good !

 

[rh320]

Looks good! I love that Sea Ray blue after a fresh detail. Ive always enjoyed detailing my boats. I just purchased a blue 320 and am having a professional detail it for me to get it on point and then I will attempt to keep it that way in the future!

 

[sbw1]

Thanks Kevin. I'm hopeful that if I stay on top of it that the ongoing maintenance won't be as bad as this year was. I have a feeling that it hadn't been done in at least a few seasons prior to me owning it.

Sorry for the sideways pictures! not sure how to adjust that

What you going to wash it with? If you use the correct soap, it should look like that in the fall, and next year's detailing will not be as much work.

 

[stg099]

What you going to wash it with? If you use the correct soap, it should look like that in the fall, and next year's detailing will not be as much work.

Definitely open to suggestions on a good wax safe boat soap. Currently I have star brite boat soap, but not sure if that’s the best course of action or not.

 

[Boatguy49036]

Going to be my 1st summer in our new to us 2004 390 DA. Our hull was professionally polished and waxed over the winter. The Blue looks amazing. Any tips on keeping it that way over the course of the summer? Come on spring, get here!

 

[Phasma]

I currently use Starbrite as well. I would be interested in if it is wax safe or advice on what boat wash is wax safe

 

[NotHerDecision]

I love Woody wax soap.

 

[Blueone]

I always washed the boat with soap that had wax in it... my thought is why not add wax as opposed to not

 

[northern]

What you did is art. Mine always looks like I used a wash cloth and dirty water. Never consistent. Good job.

 

[Captn TJ]

Thought I’d share a couple of shots of the finished product after putting some work in on trying to make my “new to me” 2004 280da look as good as I can. The lighting is awful as the boat is still in winter indoor storage, but I think it still shows off the result fairly well. I’m by no means an expert, but my process was as follows.

1) Quick Wash with spray bottle of water and a few drops of dawn dish soap
2) Buff magic with makita rotary and wool compounding pad. (Speed 2)
3) 3M finesse it with makita rotary and yellow wool polishing pad (speed 2.5 to 3)
4) another round of finesse it with porter cable 7424xp and a white foam polishing pad (speed 5) this step was to get rid of any holograms left by the rotary
5) collinite fleetwax by hand to finish it off

After seeing some of the professional results that folks have posted here that was my goal, but I know now why they charge what they do. I enjoyed the work, but it’s a LOT of work to get the results you think you should be able to. I use the tools in detailing our cars once a year as well, so this wasn’t a one time investment, if it were I’d have considered hiring the job out, but I had fun with it. My shoulders on the other hand, are still protesting 4 days later! View attachment 54429View attachment 54430

Nice work there! FYI I have a blue hull on my 280 as well.

Collinite is the best - I use it on my cars and boat! FYI in between waxing I use Griots Detail spray. It a highly diluted carnuba wax goes on and off VERY easily. Get it on line or at Advance Auto Parts

 

[Captn TJ]

Going to be my 1st summer in our new to us 2004 390 DA. Our hull was professionally polished and waxed over the winter. The Blue looks amazing. Any tips on keeping it that way over the course of the summer? Come on spring, get here!

Boatguy as I mention in a previous post - try Griots Detail Spray - you'll find it at the Advance Auto Parts that's in front of Kroger's on 163 in Pt. Clinton.

 

[sbw1]

Woody Wax Ultra Pine is the only soap I've had experience with that lives up to the claims. It does not strip wax. There are probably others that also work well, but I've not used them. Some of the popular brands such as Starbright Boat Soap are terrible. Not saying they do not clean dirt, but they take the wax with it. We keep 409 on the boat for seat stains that are tough and use it in the head and galley, but not on waxed surfaces. That Black Streak Remover is also death for wax. It smells like 409 to me. It's a shame to spend all the time, money and effort to detail a boat only to destroy the effort with harsh cleaning products. BTW, I've used nearly all the bad products out there, and learned this lesson the hard way. Hopefully, some of you new to boating will avoid the mistakes I've made in the past.

 

[strange weather]

Orpine and Spotless Water System-works great -really dry and hot weather - no worries!

 

[Ezsteps]

Great job, boat looks awesome. The past 2 seasons I've used the Mequire's Boat Soap (blue jug) and it didn't seem to hurt the wax. As soon as my gallon is empty I'm going to switch to Woody's, I've heard good things about it. I also heard that the Woody's non-skid wax (I believe it's called) works awesome and makes cleaning the bird dropping off a breeze.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Definitely open to suggestions on a good wax safe boat soap. Currently I have star brite boat soap, but not sure if that’s the best course of action or not.

I swear by this stuff... 1 gallon @ $25

 

[frosh coach]

looks great. I uses the 3m Finesse it II on my white hull. It really makes it pop out.

 

[sbw1]

Great job, boat looks awesome. The past 2 seasons I've used the Mequire's Boat Soap (blue jug) and it didn't seem to hurt the wax. As soon as my gallon is empty I'm going to switch to Woody's, I've heard good things about it. I also heard that the Woody's non-skid wax (I believe it's called) works awesome and makes cleaning the bird dropping off a breeze.

Yes. The non-skid product also makes bird dirt easy to remove. You spray it on a clean deck and brush it in, and then hose it off. The first time you use it, you may wonder what if anything was accomplished. However, it's on and it works. Don't expect a brilliant shine. It does not do that. It does make the boat easier to clean and if your boat is white, it may appear whiter to the eye. I use it about every 6 weeks. A little goes a long way.