What should I use to bring out that shine?

[wx5svr]

As some of you may/may not know I just purchased a 1995 200BR. The gelcoat and graphics are in good condition although the shine is not what it could be. At this point I plan on getting a good clay, polish, and wax on her tomorrow. My main question is should I add a light compound to that mix to help rejuvenate the shine? If so what brand? I was planning on using Meguires products since I have been happy with them on my vehicles and its what we used at the BMW dealership I used to work at. Is this a good brand for the boat or should I use something different.

Thanks

Graham Butler
graham.butler at ttu.edu
http://www.darkskyproductions.com

 

[Dave S]

If it's not oxidized at all, then the Meguiars Polishes and Waxes do a nice job.

I have found Meguiars's Flagship Wax to be better than their other products for overall shine. BTW, that does have some mild cleaner in it as well.

There are quite a few threads on polishing here on the board that you might want to search out as well.

 

[Asureyez]

Gett'n THAT Shine back

Hey

Meguires is good, others swear by Mothers ...

I am a 3M guy. I've used their products for years and I have a 2001 460 that every one believes is a brand new boat and I've had it three years!

Once a year we compound the enture topsides with 3M white compound, then a coat of 3M Cleaner Wax, then a top coat of 3M Finesse polish. 3M calls their three coat system the "Imperial" system.

Use elipitcal orbit buffers with the proper pads . After every 3 months we touch up the finesse or run a new coat ... my glass looks "WET" and that aint bad for a tropical sun climate docked just a mile from the ocean and the topsides getting slopped constantly with oily trashy port water.

I see good jobs from Meguires and I wouldn't complain about that on my boat either, I've come to know 3M products and how to use them to get the most bang for the buck.

Also there are spring and fall sales on 3M that are like 2 for 1 deals plus cupons, I bought 6 gals of 3M product in May and paid an afterage of 38% of list after cupons and sale price! ( Yeah I know, but 46 foot boats eat supplies)

I never see those deals on Maguires.

None the less on old gelcoat lightly hazed, start with a medium compound with a cutting pad all inaccord to mfg. directions. Follow up with a good cleaner/wax to really ad depth to the look, then a top coat of polishing finish to get the super shine.

Lastly wipe the work down with a soft cotton cloth to ge tthe dust off. You'll be amazed.

 

[tphinney]

If the gelcoat is not oxidized but also does not have a shine to it. I use the Yatch Brite Pro Polish. a very light polish with just enough abrasion to bring the shine back out. then I follow it up with 2 coats of the Meguires Flagship wax and that usually will last me 6 months in the Florida Sun.

It toke a couple of years of jumping around to different wax's before I settled on the Meguires Flagship. it's great stuff.

I also recommend the yatch bright cleaner and aresol wax. the cleaner is great for keep the vinyl nice and clean and the aresol wax is great for touch ups on EVERYTHING....

any way my 2 cents....

 

[boatrboy]

Last year I tried the Meguires process recommended here on the board, but I was not totally thrilled with the results. This year I went back to the 3m restorer and wax and love it.
I did use the meguiar's flagship wax and that seems to be holding up nicely.

 

[boatmailster]

1995 boat - there is no product that will work 100%
Spend some time and wet sand whole boat
All those waxes and etc will make boat look good for few weeks and that all.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Wax on, wax off, young grasshopper. :wink:

Boils down to good old fashion elbow grease. I know someone that spends 10 hours a week waxing and polishing his boat. No it ain't me.

But that being said once a good wax job has been established it gets easier if you keep it up.

I have used both Yacht Brite products and Mcguire's. Like them both and feel like I have had good success with the "Guru" of polishing and waxing methods. I am so sorry but I can not share this with you at this time, how ever if you can tell me who history of the bunny slippers I will forward you the correct procedure. :wink:

 

[Weave]

I have had good results with Colinite "Fleetwax"....Holds up a long time..Just my $0.02

 

[Pirate]

IMHO, like STIHLBOLTS said, it's a lot more about the elbow grease and polishing than it is about the product. There are a lot of good products out there and most experienced boaters have a preference.

That said, mine is for Collinite. I use their #920 cleaner for any dull or hazy areas and then seal it with #885 Fleetwax. My experience with this product is that it lasts significantly longer than competitive waxes.

There is some comment about waxes "building up and yellowing". My boat gets a full wax hard top to waterline every 3 months. I re-apply to high traffic areas in between. Regretfully, I have never experienced any build up or permanence of any wax. This is my experience and it may not be what others have seen.

 

[Weave]

Like them both and feel like I have had good success with the "Guru" of polishing and waxing methods. I am so sorry but I can not share this with you at this time, how ever if you can tell me who history of the bunny slippers I will forward you the correct procedure. :wink:

Would this be...hmmm..lemme guess.....Jeremy?:lol:

 

[280 SeaRay]

Bunny Slippers

spending a little time to take a close look at the surface (surface inspection) after a good wash will enable you to clearly understand the challenges your gel has (use a grease pencil to highlight specific areas on the boat). As others have already mentioned there are many good products out there.... I have tried a great number of them and personally prefer the Meguiars line.

Without being able to inspect your gel we are all just guessing. But here is my guess.

Wash to boat very well.
Clay the boat - Smooth Surface Clay kit
#44 Color Restorer - Light Compound w/8006 Pad
#45 Boat Polish w/8006 pad
#63 Flagship wax w/9006 pad

I would try the #45 in a spot first to see if it produces the results you are looking for if so it is less aggressive and you could ditch the #44 step. Use the least aggressive product to get the job done effectively. I like using a DA polisher as it allows you to achieve results not possible by hand. The Porter Cable 7424 is a great unit. The Meguiars G100 is the same unit rebadged.

Boils down to good old fashion elbow grease.QUOTE]

Mr. Stihlbots is right on the money.... this is not a race, you will sweat, you will hurt, you may not be able to pick up a cup of coffee the next morning but the results are worth it to me. Keeping up on the surface care will net you a easier job next time.


I have been pleases with my results on both my boats.

 

[Tallahassee240Sundeck]

I am thinking about using the next boat show to bring out that 'like new' shine...

 

[Weave]

Jeremy...would those pads be ok to use with similar products? I have some Collonite left over from my previous rig