Finish is highly oxidized
 

I have a Bass boat that the fiberglass finish is very highly oxidized from
the sun. I am wanting to restore this boats finish to hopefully approach
what it was before. Any suggestions as to the best items to use to
accomplish this? Very fine sandpaper or steel wool? What chemicals?

Thanks in advance.

Gary

"Gary" wrote in message
...
I have a Bass boat that the fiberglass finish is very highly oxidized from
the sun. I am wanting to restore this boats finish to hopefully approach
what it was before. Any suggestions as to the best items to use to
accomplish this? Very fine sandpaper or steel wool? What chemicals?

Thanks in advance.

Gary


Before going the sandpaper route have you tried starting with a rubbing
compound applied with a buffer and sponge pad? That may do the trick.

You would then follow it with a good polish such as Finesse-It II (3M) also
applied by buffer and sponge pad, and lastly a good fiberglass wax (I
recommend Collinite Paste Fleet Wax).

Note that there are different grades of foam pads, with pads specifically
designed for the application of rubbing compound and polish.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 01:24:57 -0400, Gary wrote:

I have a Bass boat that the fiberglass finish is very highly oxidized from
the sun. I am wanting to restore this boats finish to hopefully approach
what it was before. Any suggestions as to the best items to use to
accomplish this? Very fine sandpaper or steel wool? What chemicals?

This is a tough one without seeing the boat.

Can you run your hand down the side or along the gunwales and feel
the metalflake? If you can, then you have a problem because the
gelcoat has started to, not fail exactly, but wear off. If the
gelcoat is starting to get milky white or discolored, thats' also an
indication of the gel coat wearing off. In that case, you need to use
a filler like 3M Hand Glaze, a lot of time and some elbow grease.

However, if that's not the case, then JimH's suggestion of 3M
Finesse-it is the best way to go. It will take some work and time,
but you should be able to get a decent shine back on the boat.

As Jim said, make sure you have a radom orbit polisher and a really
good backing pad.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

Thanks to both of you for your speedy responses. I'm afraid that it's
possible that the gelcoat is failing but then I'm not totally sure. I'll
again though say thank you for your advice.


On 7/28/05 7:45 AM, in article ,
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote:

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 01:24:57 -0400, Gary wrote:

I have a Bass boat that the fiberglass finish is very highly oxidized from
the sun. I am wanting to restore this boats finish to hopefully approach
what it was before. Any suggestions as to the best items to use to
accomplish this? Very fine sandpaper or steel wool? What chemicals?

This is a tough one without seeing the boat.

Can you run your hand down the side or along the gunwales and feel
the metalflake? If you can, then you have a problem because the
gelcoat has started to, not fail exactly, but wear off. If the
gelcoat is starting to get milky white or discolored, thats' also an
indication of the gel coat wearing off. In that case, you need to use
a filler like 3M Hand Glaze, a lot of time and some elbow grease.

However, if that's not the case, then JimH's suggestion of 3M
Finesse-it is the best way to go. It will take some work and time,
but you should be able to get a decent shine back on the boat.

As Jim said, make sure you have a radom orbit polisher and a really
good backing pad.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 01:24:57 -0400, Gary wrote:

I have a Bass boat that the fiberglass finish is very highly oxidized from
the sun. I am wanting to restore this boats finish to hopefully approach
what it was before. Any suggestions as to the best items to use to
accomplish this? Very fine sandpaper or steel wool? What chemicals?

Thanks in advance.

Gary

I can't help you with your problem but I can help you avoid another
problem. :o)
NEVER use steel wool anywhere near a boat. Little steel fibers will
brake off and start rusting. They also start things they are attached
to rusting. Bronze wool works well though.
Mark E. Williams