Hi,

what is the best way/product to clean up and
restore shine of fiberglass that is a bit dull,
i.e. the topsides of an older fiberglass boat?
Possibly without too much polishing?

Thanks,

Chris

I use 3m's brown rubbing compound first, followed by their Finesse-it
white polishing compound, then Collinite fleetwax paste. I use a Sears
orbital polisher. Elbow grease (helped by a polisher!) is the only way
to bring back dull fiberglass.

wrote:
Hi,

what is the best way/product to clean up and
restore shine of fiberglass that is a bit dull,
i.e. the topsides of an older fiberglass boat?
Possibly without too much polishing?

It depends on how bad the damage is. If it's really superficial, one of
the commercial "restorer/renewer" products may be enough, but will still
require buffing. If the damage is bad, wet sanding with 320-1200 grit
followed by buffing may be necessary in order to remove the damaged
gelcoat and get down to the original color. While I've done this on
kayaks and the results were pretty amazing, I wouldn't want to have to
do it on a larger boat, as it's a LOT of HAND work.

" wrote:

what is the best way/product to clean up and
restore shine of fiberglass that is a bit dull,
i.e. the topsides of an older fiberglass boat?
Possibly without too much polishing?

We used a product whose name escapes me at the moment for awhile, but
it got scruffy looking as it wore off, so now I think Bob uses
Penetrol. It takes 3 or 4 coats, but no buffing.


This is before
http://p.vtourist.com/1669765-Rosali...ted-Oxford.jpg

This is after
http://p.vtourist.com/1343947-Rosali..._Augustine.jpg

Low tide after Isabel in 2003
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasle...fterisabel.jpg

And a couple more - pictures that I think show reflections in the
hull.
http://p.vtourist.com/1258033-SV_Ros...abeth_City.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1301986-Rosali...rtle_Beach.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1327261-SV_Ros...t_Pleasant.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/707669-Rosalie...y-West_End.jpg


grandma Rosalie

Peg,

You may be referring to "Poli Glow". Takes several coats on
an older boat, but the results are amazing and no buffing.
--

Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 12:17:56 GMT, Rosalie B.
wrote (with possible editing):

" wrote:

what is the best way/product to clean up and
restore shine of fiberglass that is a bit dull,
i.e. the topsides of an older fiberglass boat?
Possibly without too much polishing?

We used a product whose name escapes me at the moment for awhile, but
it got scruffy looking as it wore off, so now I think Bob uses
Penetrol. It takes 3 or 4 coats, but no buffing.


This is before
http://p.vtourist.com/1669765-Rosali...ted-Oxford.jpg

This is after
http://p.vtourist.com/1343947-Rosali..._Augustine.jpg

Low tide after Isabel in 2003
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasle...fterisabel.jpg

And a couple more - pictures that I think show reflections in the
hull.
http://p.vtourist.com/1258033-SV_Ros...abeth_City.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1301986-Rosali...rtle_Beach.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/1327261-SV_Ros...t_Pleasant.jpg

http://p.vtourist.com/707669-Rosalie...y-West_End.jpg


grandma Rosalie

L. M. Rappaport wrote:

Peg,

You may be referring to "Poli Glow". Takes several coats on
an older boat, but the results are amazing and no buffing.

No that wasn't it.

grandma Rosalie

Rosalie B. wrote:

L. M. Rappaport wrote:

Peg,

You may be referring to "Poli Glow". Takes several coats on
an older boat, but the results are amazing and no buffing.

No that wasn't it.

Finally remember - it was NewGlass.


grandma Rosalie

I've found that ignoring it workes best.

From: - Find messages by this author
I've found that ignoring it workes best.

I did have pretty good results with this
technique up to now, just wanted
to ty something else for a change.

Thanks a lot for all the replies!

Chris

In article . com,
wrote:

I've found that ignoring it workes best.

Works for me! Did the polishing job this spring. Lasted a few weeks.
Will probably be another 5 years before I get around to it again.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/