Spring Prep

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RamSport47

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I started prepping The Dog House for spring this week. I did some buffing and waxing on her. I've got some after shots, and a before and after shot of the dark blue gelcoat stripe just below the gunnel.

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Before:
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After:
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Reflextions of the boat next door:
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And mine? In three months... When the snow is gone? )
I have the same blue stripe...
 
Buffed with 3M Finesse it II and then waxed with Meguires Flagship Liquid Wax. The pics are prior to waxing.
 
Wow. Looks nice. I gotta try something other than Buff Magic this year. I'll try those...
 
Great job! Looks like I've got to get busy, less than 4months until KWN's bottom gets wet again.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rythmstrat

Wow. Looks nice. I gotta try something other than Buff Magic this year. I'll try those...

Click to expand...


I love that stuff. did you have bad luck with it ?
 
I get better results with the Finesse it II than I ever did with Buff Magic. I know some people swear by BM, but with results like I'm getting, I'm not gonna go back. After I put the wax on yesterday, it was even shinier, but pictures didn't really show that. It amazes me how good a 25 year old boat can look after being out in the sun for that long. Just goes to show how care can keep things looking great. I have it listed for sale, and hopefully this will help it sell. If not, we still love the boat and will use her like we always have next season. The broker (my boss, I work for a dealer that will remain nameless as this is not a site that allows that sort of plug)looked at it yesterday and said he wished all of the owners of boats listed would make them look this good ;-)
 
Wow...beautiful job! I bought a 3257 last summer that has great bones but needs lots of TLC. The gelcoat looks terrible and I was hoping to buff it out, as well. I don't expect results anything like yours, but, I'd like to do the best I can. I was going to use Buff Magic but am going to reconsider now after seeing your results. Mine is in bad shape...would that make a difference in my product selection?

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Doug, What I would do on yours is use 3M rubbing compound followed by the Finesse It II and then the Flagship wax. I think with that procedure, you'll be more than happy. By doing it the same way a couple or three years in a row, you'll see results similar to mine. When I bought my boat 14 years ago, it shone about as much as pavement...it took quite a bit of work to get her looking the way she does. You can also try wet sanding with 1000 or 1500 grit paper before doing the rest.
 
quote:
Originally posted by alexander38

quote:
Originally posted by rythmstrat

Wow. Looks nice. I gotta try something other than Buff Magic this year. I'll try those...

Click to expand...


I love that stuff. did you have bad luck with it ?

Click to expand...


I wouldn't say bad luck, it cleaned things up, but Buff Magic just didn't give the results I was expecting. Bought the Shurhold recommended buffer, proper pads, washed and dried the boat properly, waited for proper ambient temperature, etc, etc. Simply disappointing. And that's over 3 years, on multiple boats. Frustrating...

It's gonna be something different this year...I think I'm going to get a new Makita buffer/polisher, and use 3M Imperial compound, and Finesse It II, as Ramsport mentions. Then a polish or wax...
 
quote:
Originally posted by SnakeBite

Wow...beautiful job! I bought a 3257 last summer that has great bones but needs lots of TLC. The gelcoat looks terrible and I was hoping to buff it out, as well. I don't expect results anything like yours, but, I'd like to do the best I can. I was going to use Buff Magic but am going to reconsider now after seeing your results. Mine is in bad shape...would that make a difference in my product selection?

BoatPics002_zps9e9f631f.jpg


BoatatRest_zps396adfa1.jpg


Click to expand...


Doug: My 3257 was in much better condition, (shine wise) than yours, when I bought it from the previous owner, and Buff Magic didn't get me close to the results I was looking for. I don't think using it on yours is going to get you there, IMHO. Just sayin'...

BTW, nice to have you and your boat here, if I haven't already mentioned.
 
Buff Magic and Finesse-It aren't mutually exclusive. Kenny's boat has had a beautiful shine for years, so he's taking that to "the next level" with Finesse-It. If you're starting with an oxidized surface, you need something more aggressive before using a finishing product.
 
Kenny - Thanks...that makes a lot of sense and I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can do with the fiberglass. I really don't want a pink stripe on the boat...would like it to be maroon like it was designed! I agree that I need a very aggressive application and will consider the wet sanding. Very cold here right now...will be able to get to in in a few months.
 
Scott- Thanks for the welcome! We got our boat in July and love it. There are lots of things I'm going to need to do...I hope I don't become a burden on forum members!
 
I'm going to need a polisher/buffer, too. I hear different things about rotory vs and random orbit. I've never buffed a boat...or car, really. Any thoughts?
 
For colored hulls that are are heavily oxidized, you might want to do a light wet sanding, followed by 3M Compound, followed by whatever it is that your heart desires
 
I have an older 3227. Its all white.

I have had an absolutely terrible time trying to get the hull back to par.

I know my standard is higher thqn others, but nonetheless I have been frustrated.

It was a very clean boat when purchased, actually whiter than others of the same era. I believe it was cleaned with an agressive cleaner on a regular basis. It has clouds in the gelcoat that even wet sanding does not remove. I have used Wizards, Finesse, Diamond luster, maguires, and finally after all of that, the buff majic was used last. It worked good at "blending" the surface together. It does not carry the gloss that finesse does, but overall it presents itself better.

I have owned many boats from new to used as well as wheeled for some time as a business. I recommend trying as many different products as possible. remember the more times you go over it, the better it will look!

Good luck
 
Thanks...great feedback. On a similar note, I'm not sure what color the fiberglass will really be. It looks like a dull white everwhere...not really any gloss and, of course, the big maroon stripe. The fiberglass at the rear of the boat, under the area that the canvas attaches, is an off-white. Also, on a corner where there is rub from a dock line, it looks off-white too. As I looked at a few pictures, there is off-white in a few places. I can't wait to find out what goes on there. Perhaps these a previous repairs where gelcoat was not matched? (By the way...I'm new here. Is it OK to ask similar questions on someone's post or should I have started a new discussion?)

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