Spring Prep

Carvers of that era were Pure White...kind of a greyish (really light) white. The patch may have been matched when the gelcoat was in good condition, but repairs age differently than factory gel. Also, you're going to want to use a buffer/polisher NOT an orbital. Orbitals aren't aggressive enough.
 
Perfect...thanks. As you can see from the pics, I have lots of work to do when the weather improves! The striping along the hull doesn't look so go so I may take that off, too, before I start sanding.
 
Boat's still looking great Kenny! The new owner will never be able to fully appreciate what you've done over the years.
What are you planning to do next? Movin up?
Regs,
Don
 
Don,
We'e planning on moving up to a Carver 32 Montego. We're hoping ours sells this winter, but if not, we still love the boat...especially when I get her all shined up like she is now! We just want a little more room, and a shower stall. The extra 2'4" of beam will be awesome as well
 
that Buff Magic will work fine later, But like the guys have said you need to cut that gel-coat to get the haze out of it.
Buff magic works great on your S/S too
 
Kenny
May have a 3607AC for sale soon.... Existing employment is waning with new ownership, and may have to relocate for the right opportunity. If so, depending on geography, DOCKed Wage$ may be on the market.
:-((
Don
 
Hey, Guys...just starting getting the boat ready. Wow...taking stripes off of the boat and removing the glue was a lot of work! I still have tape shadows that I can't even sand through without taking months...will probably just re-tape where they were. I took your suggestions and did wet sanding at the stern to remove as much of discoloration as possible. I sanded with 400 and up through 800 and then did my first pass with 3M Imperial Compound. The back of the boat was the worst area as I had to remove decals (to include the 32) and some horrible discoloration as if it had been repair with the wrong color gelcoat. With the exception of some deep cuts on one side (no sanding can fix) and tape shadows, it's starting to come together. I have only done one pass with the compound so far and have not used the FinesseIt II, yet, but I am seeing really great color in the maroon stripe, and the damage stern area is coming back. Lots of work, but, I thought I'd give you an update since you were kind enough to suggest the right approach. Comments welcome!

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Doug
 
WOW Doug!! That is quite a difference from the first photos. Take you time and work your magic, it's going to look awesome! That's a great shine with what you've done so far. You'll get tired of doing it, but the results will be the payoff. Oh, that over sized hole from the missing snap...fill with epoxy and re-drill and install a snap.
 
Wow, Doug, looks great, that's a great start!
I was thinking about this thread the other day...it'll be another week to ten days before
I can even pull the shrink on our boat, unfortunately. Light flurries in the forecast for this week. Can't wait to get started, tho

Next decision is which buffer to buy...
Dewalt 849 or Makita 9227
 
I use a Snap On...not sure what model as I bought it like 20 years ago and it still works great. It WAS expensive though. I'd probably go with the DeWalt personally.
 
Thanks, Guys...I'll update you as I make more progress. I bought an inexpensive buffer...Harbor Freight 7" variable speed rotory that goes up to 3500RPM. Very, very, heavy and rather awkward. I needed something really aggressive to get through all of that oxidation and orignal decal shadows.
 
quote:
Originally posted by RamSport47

I use a Snap On...not sure what model as I bought it like 20 years ago and it still works great. It WAS expensive though. I'd probably go with the DeWalt personally.

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Yup, leanin towards the Dewalt myself.
 
Looking good, I've done a few "red" montegos in my day and the hulls always came back nicely.

I have the dewalt as well, I love it and I think it's the perfect weight. I just used it yesterday to buff out my 370's hull, I'm ready for launch after the marina replaces my cutlass bearings.
 
You know, it just occured to me. Is my boat color actually red? It looked like a weak, oxidized burgundy when I bought it. Since I have been wet sanding and compounding, it is starting to change color to more of a redish look. There are some areas where there were decals and the underlying gecoat is even more red. Is THAT the color I'm trying to bring out? I didn't want to get too more aggressive and take it down so far that I run out of gelcoat.

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Yes...in 1989, the color became a red color...I forget the actual name of it. Prior years it was plum...more of a purpleish color
 
Wow...wonder if I need to go back over and start re-sanding to get down deeper? I still see more-red shadows from under old decals but didn't trying and drive down too deep. Maybe I should go for it...was worried that I would hit fiberglass before I got all the way down to non-oxidized red. Otherwise, I'll just have the nice darker color with red shadows...underneath.
 
Well, here is an update. I've sanded and compounded the port-side hull and am ready to do the FinesseIt II tomorow. I still have the other side to do so I will work through Monday to get that done (3 more days). I'm ordering striping but I'm concerned that it is not really burgundy, more of a dark red so I'm not sure what color to get. Safer in burgundy? Thoughts?

Thanks!



 
quote:
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

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I use Buff Magic too but is more of a cleaning compound. I follow it up with Pro Polish and the finish couldn't be better. The first year is alot of work but it gets easier each year and the clean and shine lasts all summer.
I used to buy it here but need to find a new supplier.
Jim
 
Doug,
The color showing in the pics is pretty close to the factory original color. It is more of a red than a burgundy. I would try to match the color that you buffed to as opposed to getting a burgundy color, as they may clash.
 
Good idea...a dark red may be a little better. It will limit where I can order the stripes, though.
 
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