any suggestions for boats

I

imported_thunder

New member
I have a Boat to Detail this weekend. It will be the first boat I have ever done. I was thinking of using AIO 2x - UPP & Top it off with Trade Secret or S100 what do you Guys think about that? or is there a product that works better on Gel coats? ....Thanks .... Carl
 
mirrorfinishman said:
Remember, gel coats on fiberglass boats and paint finishes on cars are two different things.
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I would agree with that - gel coats on cars or boats are quite different to standard auto paints - for example they are much harder (this may not be the correct technical term but while AIO will remove oxidisation, it won't help if the colour has faded).



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It's important to always try to use detailing products that are made for the specific purpose. In other words; car products are basicly made for cars and boat products are basicly for boats.



For example:

Just because a particular product is made to remove oxidation an automobile finish, that does not always mean that it will work the same way on an oxidized gel coat of a boat.



Some products, such as a basic cleaner wax, may be interchangeable between cars and boats, however most will not.



Just some additional thoughts...
 
I am going to try the AIO/SG combo on my boat this year I think. I used AIO with great results to take off some mild oxidation on a "blue" portion of the boat.



Most of my boat is white and since it sits in the water for the summer, I think the SG will hold up alot more that a standard carnuaba.



I have been using Megs Marine products with good results. Their cleaner wax is very good.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
It's important to always try to use detailing products that are made for the specific purpose.
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Now thats a comment I think most Autopians would strongly agree with :up



Just to illustrate Franks point, here is a gel coat on a car - badly oxidised and faded. Sorry about the picture quality but like many I have noticed, red seems hard to photograph sometimes. The red blob in the middle is the result of a long session, by hand and using a wool pad on a drill (:o but its all I had at the time) using 3M PIII fast cut (very aggressive). If I did the same on one of my normal cars then I would have been through to metal by the time I acheived what I did here



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I have used the Zaino treatment on my 22 velocity and it has,by far held up better and looks better than any other polishes,waxs or sealants that I have used. Just a word of advice,be careful of the finish you put on the deck areas that someone will walk on,it can get very slippery. When I pull my boat out of the water at the ramp I go over the boat with fresh water ,dry it then follow up with the Z6 gloss enhancing spray. Easy maintenace and looks great.
 
I just don't do boats anymore, except for regulars. I was just getting too many with serious hard water damage and oxidation. Just not worth the aggravation, IMO.



I would agree with the other about sticking with products made for boat detailing. Regular car polishes just can't cut it when it comes to oxidized gel coats.
 
Pro Products make a boat & RV wax which works very well. Meguiars also has some good products. Gelcoats on boats and clear coats on cars are different but you can use the same products. If this is going to be a one time deal I would save your money and use the products you normally use on cars.
 
Thunder,

What is the condtion of the boat?



This past summer I did work on a boat which was heavily oxidized and used the complete 3M PI-III line. The red on the boat looks just like ButchDave's picture. The boat is two tone (mainly white with red) and I thought the bottom was tan, but was really white. After the PI-III line I used Blitz wax, and experimented with AIO, AIO/UPP and AIO/OGB. The AIO/UPP lasted the season. I will post a picture later.



Eric
 
NJDetailer said:
If this is going to be a one time deal I would save your money and use the products you normally use on cars.
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If the boat is in good shape, I'd agree but if it is oxidized, it would be worth spending $20-30 on boat specific products to bring back the gelcoat. Beats having to come back if the car stuff isn't making a dent in the oxidation.
 
I agree that gelcoat (on neglected boats, particularly) requires marine oriented products.



Having said that, this 1986 'landcruiser' responded quite well to AIO.



This pic is of the behemoth halway completed!
 

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Ugh. I hate doing neglected RVs more than boats...which is another reason I stick mostly with cars, trucks and SUVs. I still do a few RVs for regulars (and a 44' coach) but I don't go out of my way to market to that crowd. I just don't have large enough blocks of time to do the job right anymore.
 
On my Mastercraft ski boat and my 2 jet ski's I use AIO/SG/26

The finish was perfect before I detailed them. I did notice that if you are working with oxidized gel coat I would use a Marine product. Its more aggresive. Ive used Meguiars and 3m's with great results. But for wax Meguires #26 gave the same results as Meguiars #56 which is there Boat/Rv pure wax. I think is just rebottled #26 for the marine use.



Meguiars does sell a Boat oxidation removal system. Its a 3 step process. It comes with



#49 Heavy Duty oxidation remover

#45 Boat/RV Polish

#56 Boat/RV pure wax



I bought that kit and used it on my friends neglected Sea Ray with great results.



The best thing to remember is to prevent the gel coat from getting oxidized



Thats why I use AIO/SG 3 coats/and a coat of #26 THE BOAT LOOKS GREAT! I dont have any pixtures but I will post some this spring when I pull it out of storage
 
Thanks for the Info guys!! The boat turned out SUPER!! and the customer was very pleased. I used AIO, UPP, and Trade Secret, the Boat was in good shape to begin with the customer just wanted it real Shiny. I would post some pic's but my Cheesie little digital camera took a dump on me.I just got my hands on some Vanilla Moose today.I love this stuff :bounce again thanks for the Info........ Carl
 
Glad it worked out for you. Give us some details.



1. Did you use the AIO by hand or machine

2. How many coats of AIO did you need

3. How did Upp work out on the boat.

4. Did the trade secret over UPP make the boat any shinier/deeper/slicker/wetter looking?



I'm always open for new and methods.
 
I used a PC7424 with the white foam pad and used AIO 2x then UPP 1x I let the UPP stay on while i did the inside.then removed it with a MF towel and use some QD to remove any residue then applied Trade Secret 2x. Boat was a Dark Green with a tan bottom Turned out super slick and glossy. I Dont think I care to do anymore Boats, It was kind of a pain it the Butt
 
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