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Thread: anyone wetsand or polish a boat- remove oxidation

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    Default anyone wetsand or polish a boat- remove oxidation


    After taking my boat out a few times this spring I notice some heavy oxidation. Was wondering if anyone here has ever wetsanded a boat's gel coat before? Or polished a boat's gel coat to remove oxidation? The boat has about 60% red with metal flake, the rest of the hull and gunwale is plain white, no metal flake.
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    Several companies make a buffing componant or compound that is used to bring back the original shine of fiberglass. I used to use it on my big Lake Michigan boat. Just make sure to use a buffer. That big boat sucked to do and eventually I just gave up and didn't care!

    3m is one of the products I can think of. Most boat shops sell something and I'm sure you can find it online as well.
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    Quote Originally Posted by wicklundrh View Post
    Several companies make a buffing componant or compound that is used to bring back the original shine of fiberglass. I used to use it on my big Lake Michigan boat. Just make sure to use a buffer. That big boat sucked to do and eventually I just gave up and didn't care!

    3m is one of the products I can think of. Most boat shops sell something and I'm sure you can find it online as well.
    I did by turtle wax polishing compound, finishing compound, and wax paste, but after watching a few videos it seems wet sanding before buffing would help make the gel coat last longer. How often did you have to polish your boat so it didn't look oxidized?

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    Wet sanding is the best way to go. When u have sanded it buff it with a heavy compound. Then buff again with a glaze polish followed by a GOOD coat of wax

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    Quote Originally Posted by brush pile View Post
    Wet sanding is the best way to go. When u have sanded it buff it with a heavy compound. Then buff again with a glaze polish followed by a GOOD coat of wax
    After I sand it, is the area supposed to look a little hazey? This is before I apply compound and polish. I tried wetsanding on a small area of the boat with 1000 grit, then 2000 grit 3m sandpaper.

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    Quote Originally Posted by floppingcrappie View Post
    After I sand it, is the area supposed to look a little hazey? This is before I apply compound and polish. I tried wetsanding on a small area of the boat with 1000 grit, then 2000 grit 3m sandpaper.
    Yes, it will look hazy until you buff it and polish it.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cray View Post
    Yes, it will look hazy until you buff it and polish it.
    Ok thanks. How will I know when I've sanded enough? From videos I've seen, they say not to sand too far or I could ruin the gel coat.

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    Quote Originally Posted by floppingcrappie View Post
    Ok thanks. How will I know when I've sanded enough? From videos I've seen, they say not to sand too far or I could ruin the gel coat.
    If using the 2000 by the time you get a good haze should be enough. Kinda use the touch test. If cloudy you should feel just a bit of roughness and one you sand a little it should smooth out and you can tell the difference. Also be very judicus with the buffer and the polish. That coating is very thin and you can burn right through it pretty quick.

    Remember one thing here when sanding, all your trying to do is remove the oxidation from that area. So lighter oxidation less sanding.
    Last edited by Cray; 05-16-2018 at 04:38 PM.
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    Always keep your buffer moving, never stop it it one place.
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    I used Hull Cleaner from online Wal mart love it just spray on with hand spay bottle twice and wipe off.
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