The absolute best polish for our Sea Rays?

brian2001ss

brian2001ss

New Member
Jun 18, 2007
243
Lake Lure, NC
Boat Info
boatless
Engines
boatless
Have done several searches on this, but like my SS, I usually find that the best polish is usually hard to find and can be a bit more money, but worth it at the end. It took me a few years to find the right polish brand for my car, and the brand Menzerna offers me everything from the cutting to the protection. As I move the boat into the garage for the winter, I want to bring this dark blue gel coat back, if not better, to its new show shine state. So guys, were do I look for the best. Off the shelf stuff doesn't give me the results I look for. 3m products are good, but not the best when i comes to my SS. This could be different when it comes to boats. So the results I am looking for, using only a Porter Cable buffer and the best brand polish, is something that will have the reflection that my car has.
DCFC0037.jpg

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Brian,

You are in for some interesting reading, use the search feature and search polish and you have a whole weekend worth of reading.

Here is one topic that sums up my favorite which was advise I received from one of the guys that have been known to be a little anal about keeping his boat clean. :smt043

Good luck with whatever you decide.

http://www.clubsearay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2088&highlight=polish

Wesley
 
From experience

3M or Maguires line sprovide the best solutions, I prefer 3M. The new 3M "Boat Wax" product is looking pretty good when applied over Finnese. We've just tried this new 3M product and well see how she does.
 
Brian..........you can use Zaino but you should use the one designed for non clear coated finishes. I don't use it on mine because when I pull the boat out to wax it I first have to use a compound to get rid of the water spots on the blue hull. That may not be an issue on your boat since you trailer it.

This is what I have used together with the PC orbital buffer on my boat and it gives me the best results. http://www.properboatcare.com/gelcomise.html After applying the first coat with the orbital I apply a second coat by hand. It goes on quickly and buffs off just as easily.

I have also tried 303 Protectant on my upper white hull but I am not satisfied with it so I will use the Gel Coat Lab product on it as well.

This picture is from the last time I polished it.
DSC02929.jpg
 
We started using Ivory dish washing soap this summer after the boat boy stripped all the wax off using boat soap. I noticed some of the bigger boats that I cruise with never seem to rewax decks like I need to in July. Got this tip from one guy whose boat always looks great. After the switch, our new wax has held up very nicely. Ivory does a good job and is easy on your hands.
 
WOW those are some shiny boats, Even when MM details/waxes mine it's never looked like that.

Anytime any of your wanna come show me how it's done I got free beer for you!
 
You just wanted to show off your SS! :thumbsup: I have a '96 GS Vette that I like showing off too. :grin:
Honestly I have been VERY happy with 3m Extra Cut Compound. The stuff takes out mild chalking and brings out a shine thats soo good I wax it without glazing. I did try glazing after and didn't notice any difference in shine. I got these results using a soft wool pad on a rotary buffer running ~1,900rpm. Now I have only used this on white gelcoat so I cannot attest to how well it works on colored gelcoat and if it would leave swirlmarks.
 
Dave S said:
Brian..........you can use Zaino but you should use the one designed for non clear coated finishes. I don't use it on mine because when I pull the boat out to wax it I first have to use a compound to get rid of the water spots on the blue hull. That may not be an issue on your boat since you trailer it.

This is what I have used together with the PC orbital buffer on my boat and it gives me the best results. http://www.properboatcare.com/gelcomise.html After applying the first coat with the orbital I apply a second coat by hand. It goes on quickly and buffs off just as easily.

I have also tried 303 Protectant on my upper white hull but I am not satisfied with it so I will use the Gel Coat Lab product on it as well.

This picture is from the last time I polished it.
DSC02929.jpg
Click to expand...

Now Dave, thats what I am talking about. LOVE THAT SHINE!!!!!!Going to that site as I type. :smt038
 
You guys are awsome. Its amazing what you can find when a web site forum has something that all has in common....the love for our Sea Ray's.

Skuza, you hit the nail on the head, I do like to show off ol red. I just want my boat to look as good :thumbsup: . If any of you Charlotte Sea Ray owners are not boating this weekend, come out and see us with the SS at the Auto Fair in Concord. I will be showing with Carolina F-Bodies. Back to boats.

Tanner03, I will look into 3m after I saw your picture. That Gel looks like it wet it shines so nice. :thumbsup:

Wesley, looks like I got alot of reading with that thread. Thanks for the link.

Ruf1967, got any pics?

Dave, I still can't get over those pics :grin:

Thanks again.
 
I've used Zaino ( www.zainobros.com )non-clear-coat polish (Z3 - I should order some more probably now, getting low) on my 1995 185 Sea Ray for 8 yrs now! I wax it 2-3 times a summer. I found it keeps the gelcoat shiny, and lasts longer than anything else I've tried. I'm going to use it on my new 2007 210 select as soon as it warms up!

I use 303 on the rubber gaskets, and vinyl surfaces.
 
Last edited:
Ok I have a question. Does any one have any ideas on how I can get the hard water spots off my windshield/ I have tryed just about everything I can think of and nothing has worked.

Thanks Mike
 
StressAweigh said:
Ok I have a question. Does any one have any ideas on how I can get the hard water spots off my windshield/ I have tryed just about everything I can think of and nothing has worked.

Thanks Mike
Click to expand...

1. Try "Bar Keepers Friend" cleanser found in most grocery stores. has little to no grit that can scratch the window glass. Works very well. Use it as a thick paste, rubbing briskly on a sponge

If really bad...

2. Try oven cleaner (but watch the skin, use gloves and don't get any on the gel coat because it will remove the wax you may have on it). Spray on lightly, let set a few minutes and use a razor blade to remove the foam and the water spots... rinse liberally with fresh water.

I have successfully used both methods and Bar Keepers Friend is in my garage for that job...

I then use liberal amounts of RainX on the outside and FogX on the inside...
 
Re: From experience

Asureyez said:
3M or Maguires line sprovide the best solutions, I prefer 3M. The new 3M "Boat Wax" product is looking pretty good when applied over Finnese. We've just tried this new 3M product and well see how she does.
Click to expand...

ditto on that recommendation!
 
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