Well, it's 2022 now, and here I am with a "new-to-me" 2000 Mastercraft in need of this kind of treatment. I found this video very illuminating, particularly the multi-step buffing. I don't know if I'll go to that extent, but watching it was helpful. Good job!
You have the very best buffing video on you tube. Clearly you understand how the products are intended to work. Based on the comments below specifically Dankung, people don't understand how diminishing compound is intended to work. You use it correctly by applying the compound to the entire surface. If the compound is just put on the pad, the grit has already broken down as you move to unpolished areas. You know what you are doing. Many of the other youtube are misleading
Awesome job and awesome video! The company that details my boat just told me they closed up shop. I'm gonna have to detail my boat myself this year. Thank you for this tutorial!
My brother left his boat in a river that leads to Mobile bay for 4 months. I cleaned it up with mild acid and a scotch brite pad and felt horrible because of the minor scratches I left in the surface. I used your method and it looked great. The dumb-ass left it in the same water for another 3 months. He's on his own now!
My friend has a boat with the same gel coating. He had no luck buffing out the oxidation. He was doing it all wrong. Thank you so much for the upload. Really appreciate all the info. 👍👍🇨🇦
I am detailing a mastercraft x1 tomorrow (which is a detail that doesn't matter for this) and I am doing some preliminary research. Found your video and in 20 min learned what I expect will be at least 75% of what I need to know. The reason I am commenting is that you are absolutely hilarious. This video probably won't win an oscar, but somehow you made a 20 minute video about cleaning a boat pretty entertaining. Not everyone can do that. Thanks for the help and well done sir!
Great info. I watched this because I purchased a bass boat that had very coarse sand feel to it. I started with 1000 grit wet sand and it looked like it was gonna take me weeks. I did what you said and hit it with a coarse paper. I used 400 grit, Then 1500, then 2000 then meguiars compound, then Meguiar's polish and oh my goodness. It looks brand new. Thank you so much.
Great video, thanks for posting it. I've been buffing for a while but have been unable to finish the job without leaving swirl marks behind especially on dark colors. Your video has really helped. Keep on sharing the knowledge.
I've seen your video before. Watched it again. It's really excellent. Thanks for the information. Very well done. Thanks. Hope my job turns our half as good as yours.
Awesome tips! The gel coat on my 93 Centurion had been severely neglected before I bought it. Looks exactly like that. I have been scratching my head to find the products and techniques to repair it get that shine back. Look forward to doing it this spring. Thanks!
Great video. I use Menzerna's on all my Mercedes and thought let see how well it works on our boat. It is unreal on the boat. I love the fs 400 for oxidation and 2500 for polishing. Then I use Rejex, especially on the rear port, starboard and stern. With diesels if you use wax, the diesel soot does not come off like it does with Rejex on it. I usually put 2 to 3 coats of Rejex, every 24hours for 3 days prior to launch. Gets me through the season.
Great video. You are a professional. I have been looking for something to remove the swirl marks from my black hull. Menzerna 4000 worked fantastic! Thank you for your video.
HEY GUYS , I will be doing this to my boat, so I looked up all the parts, etc. used in this video …. Some of the names have changed a little, but, through my investigating, here is the updated list (click 'Read more' below) : Compounds : - Reel Shine (NOW CALLED STARKE) - Restructure (Hard Cut) (Step 1) - amzn.to/2WdA3iv - Menzerna Medium Cut (Step 2) - amzn.to/2WfpwTY - Menzerna Super Finish 3500 (Fine Compound) (Step 3) - amzn.to/2DEhZXg - Meguires Flagship Premium Marine Wax (Step 4) - amzn.to/2DFEETd Dewalt Buffer - Dw849 - amzn.to/2GQc9nM Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model) - amzn.to/2GKfPq4 Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship) - amzn.to/2J2SgLH 3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Used with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish) - amzn.to/2Wd24Xh Good Luck ! And check out my TH-cam sailing channel if you are board someday ! - Lando Leaves Land
Great video! On my 340 Sundancer, I took off the decals from the previous owner and can also see where decals were from the original owner before that. Should I wet sand or not? It’s been buffed and waxed before and can still see it.
Dumb question but do you always go from high to medium to fine grade on all boat detailing jobs? And do you use a different microfiber for taking off all different types of compound? And for the waxing, was that in the random orbit mode? and when can I use random orbit or a regular polisher while detailing?
Do you just get swirl marks with just the wool pads because i angle my pad which is a sponge pad under certain circumstances and i never see any swirl marks
Interested to know how to blend out the color difference where was a decal. On a white surface, under the decal is whiter. I'm using your methods on a fiberglass RV surface and not a boat.
Thank you so very much for your wealth of information especially the products that you use and how they are used. My boat is not that oxidated but now I know how to execute in keeping my paint longer.
My boat is also blue with some white fiberglass. About the same condition as this boat. We live in the Keys and use our boat almost daily. (2007 26' Striper cc) Overall a good video, however I wasted 1/2 of my product starting at 1100 rpm's as advised. I did 2 full passes on my boat at 1100 rpms and it did very little. Once I increased it to 1600rpms it did a great job but still needed 2 full passes. To see if I was correct I started the white at 1600rpms and yep, two passes did it.
Hi. I got a 2003 Regal Commodore 2465 all white.It's 25 feet long. It did seat on sun for 2-3 years and there is no more shine. I cleaned it with pressure washer and now it's super clean! To get it buffed by someone professional the way you did, how much approximately does it cost? Thank you!
GOOD JOB ON THE BUFFING. I WANT TO ASK YOU HAVE YOU EVER BUFFED A CAPE HORN BOATS...!!! THEY HAVE VERY HIGH END GEAL COATING IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY. I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. BUT HAVE YOU BUFFED ANY & IF SO HOW DID IT TURN OUT. THANKS.
I am fully aroused at that reveal. God that’s satisfying. I want to go polish something (my car or something, maybe) but it’s late and I’ve been drinking. Keep up the good work.
you should become an amazon affiliate and post the links to your part numbers in the description. When we click through those links and buy then you get a commission. A win for everyone!
Some of the names have changed a little, but, through my investigating, here is the updated list : Compounds : - Reel Shine (NOW CALLED STARKE) - Restructure (Step 1) - amzn.to/2WdA3iv - Menzerna Medium Cut (Step 2) - amzn.to/2WfpwTY - Menzerna Super Finish 3500 (Fine Compound) (Step 3) - amzn.to/2DEhZXg - Meguires Flagship Premium Marine Wax (Step 4) - amzn.to/2DFEETd Dewalt Buffer - Dw849 - amzn.to/2GQc9nM Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model) - amzn.to/2GKfPq4 Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship) - amzn.to/2J2SgLH 3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Use with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish) - amzn.to/2Wd24Xh Good Luck !
Good job on the gelcoat...I don't envy your job. I know how much work it takes to get gelcoat back like that as i did that to one of the boats I owned that was almost as bad as that. I used a DA polisher with foam pads so it took me a little longer than using wool etc. I used 3D products HD Uno for the entire job just changing pads along the way.
The RO DA polishers are great for applying wax, but you really need a rotary wheel with torque to 'cut' the severe oxidation. Make the tools work, not you!
Great video and thank you. I use a little different approach for boats here in Michigan. In Fla its probably a whole different approach with salt water and heat. As an fyi I use a new 3M 3000 Non Woven Disc, and go right to polish. Ive been doing it this way on cars so I tried it last week on a Crownline and it worked great. I also have it available on my ecommerce site should you be interested . My problem are the bottoms as I approach 70 I'm no spring chicken anymore.. Again I appreciate seeing your videos.
Donald, You are selling a polish? we always love trying new products. A clear coat (or even single stage paint) on a car is a much less porous material than gelcoat, and ages much better. Oxidized gel requires allll these steps. WE do a lot of work in Northern Michigan as well!
$129 for 2 quarts very affordable? what am i missing here.. tx for the vid tho - just one product for the whole job? great vid man - looks like ill be hunting for some tools now :/ can i buff out a light dull wet sand spot? also - scratches that are above the surface - should i just buff em out with the 4000 or meguires?
Hehe, great vid!! I was actually wondering the part no. for the sunnies... ;) Seriously though, I've got a regal 1900 that has been kept 12 years in freshwater, & is now in a saltwater marina, & her underside needs some SERIOUS attention... I've been advised that toilet-bowl cleaner will remove the layer of gunk that has changed her hull colour from white to green-brown... Once that's sorted, I'll be following this for how to get the shine back on her. tyvm
Wet sand or not, you have to remove all the oxidation. You talk about multiple passes with a buffer to get the results you want, well you and I both know you are stripping gel coat on every pass. You also have to make sure you keep cleaning out your pad with every pass. Wet sanding strips all the dead off BEFORE you start buffing, and gets you MUCH BETTER end results. I'm sure the customer will be happy with this, but because it wasn't done right all the way, you'll never be able to seal it up right and the oxidation will keep coming back faster, causing you to keep having to use aggressive compounds every couple years, and keep stripping the gel coat. You and I can see the swirls and dull spots left in that spot you did. Do it right the first time and you won't have to keep re-doing it. Wet sand it. You DO have to wet sand it to get the best possible, longest lasting results, that will remove more gel coat today but save so much in the long run.
Very nice job - I've watched this video several times, trying to document your technique. I've got a 2003 Sundancer 260. Got a Makita 7" rotary with a wool pad and set of CCC foam pads, and a Porter Cable 7424xp with an assortment of cutting/polishing/finishing pads. My boat is white, so its tougher to see when I've gotten through all the oxidation, but my question is this: how much compound do you use, how much pressure do you apply, and how do you know when you've worked through the compound and need to clean your pad/apply more compound?
I like to make sure there is enough compound on so the boat doesn't get 'hot', and it is lubricated. A very thin layer, there shouldn't be 'mountains' of compound. Medium to heavy pressure; BUT KEEP THE PAD FLAT!!!!!. When you cannot see the compound, or it dries to a haze, apply more.
Buffers / Pads : Dewalt Buffer - Dw849 - amzn.to/3kFffgv Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model) - amzn.to/2GKfPq4 Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship) - amzn.to/2J2SgLH 3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Use with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish) - amzn.to/2Wd24Xh Wool Compounding Pads I used : amzn.to/2PO3LsA I used / use these buffers and they are great... I love anything from Dewalt especially. Will last a LONG time. Good Luck !!! Hope I was able to help. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small bit from qualifying purchases, you pay the same as always. Not a penny more.
Why does it have a shiny stripe at the bottom of the dulled blue gel coat that disappears when you buff it? Was a stripe buffed into it before? Just wondering
How thorough are you with cleaning before buffing? Just schampo and rinse? Or do you see to it that all different types of dirt is removed before buffing? I'm having some problems removing darker water stains on white gelcoat by hand and then when I start to buff some of it comes off and kinda smears into the buffed area. Anyone got some ideas? I don't want to use too strong chemicals like acetone risking a dryed up gelcoat.
We are very thorough before buffing! anything left behind is either going to be ground into the boat, or will simply be more work to remove. I am guessing the darker water stains may have some rust in them, or something else that is harder to remove (not just 'water'). Acetone will not help that type of stain, but I would recommedn an acid. Start mild, with vinegar, then use something stronger till you see a difference; lime-away/CLR -> bottom cleaner -> muriatic
+Roby Hutchinson The buffers used have different purposes. One is a RANDOM orbital buffer, the other is not. To reduce the chance of seeing swirl marks, you want to use the random orbital.
I have a question on pricing. I am in Louisiana and I recarpet boats,mostly bass boats and I sometimes buff and wax boats for customers who ask me too. Do yall charge by length of boat or by square footage? I am sure level of oxidation plays a part also.
gmtony55 We charge by the hour, plus cost of materials. For boats of common lengths/widths, we do charge by the foot as we can predict the amount of time it will take (we have lots and lots of data from past jobs). The level of oxidation certainly plays a part!
Nice video. My question is, how long did that shine last under the sun? I have some experience doing this and sometimes the oxidation comes back quickly after buffing.
Thanks for this video, very helpful. Just a quick question, do you use the vertical tape when you are doing a real job (i.e. not for the video)? I just started my first job on my mostly white sailboat and the vertical stripe seems to make sense to track what I have done and what I haven't. Also, I have red gelcoat stripes going down the boat. Should I cover them with tape and then go back afterward and do them seperately?
Dave Henning Used car dealer/detailer here. No, you don't need vertical tape lines. You don't want to have an edge. You'll be able to see which areas need more buffing.
Is Maguire"s Pure Wax, just as good as the Flagship wax that you use? If not, what do you usually use the pure wax for? a Also, great video!!!! It's helped me a lot on my 1984 Sea Ray Sundancer.
I've used the Meguiar's one step compound and it works well. The stuff in a blue bottle. My gelcoat oxidation was so bad it was almost white instead of its its teal color. Took all the oxidation out and gave it a really nice shine. I'd give this a try if your looking for a good compound.
Well, it's 2022 now, and here I am with a "new-to-me" 2000 Mastercraft in need of this kind of treatment. I found this video very illuminating, particularly the multi-step buffing. I don't know if I'll go to that extent, but watching it was helpful. Good job!
You have the very best buffing video on you tube. Clearly you understand how the products are intended to work. Based on the comments below specifically Dankung, people don't understand how diminishing compound is intended to work. You use it correctly by applying the compound to the entire surface. If the compound is just put on the pad, the grit has already broken down as you move to unpolished areas. You know what you are doing. Many of the other youtube are misleading
Awesome job and awesome video! The company that details my boat just told me they closed up shop. I'm gonna have to detail my boat myself this year. Thank you for this tutorial!
This is how it is done! Excellent example of the steps needed to properly detail a boat.
Thanks ! Always good to watch somebody who is skilled and thinks about the work.
My brother left his boat in a river that leads to Mobile bay for 4 months. I cleaned it up with mild acid and a scotch brite pad and felt horrible because of the minor scratches I left in the surface. I used your method and it looked great. The dumb-ass left it in the same water for another 3 months. He's on his own now!
My friend has a boat with the same gel coating. He had no luck buffing out the oxidation. He was doing it all wrong. Thank you so much for the upload. Really appreciate all the info. 👍👍🇨🇦
I am detailing a mastercraft x1 tomorrow (which is a detail that doesn't matter for this) and I am doing some preliminary research. Found your video and in 20 min learned what I expect will be at least 75% of what I need to know. The reason I am commenting is that you are absolutely hilarious. This video probably won't win an oscar, but somehow you made a 20 minute video about cleaning a boat pretty entertaining. Not everyone can do that. Thanks for the help and well done sir!
+Harrison Gilbert Thanks for the kind words. We will hold out hope for an Oscan. #leohadtowait
Great info. I watched this because I purchased a bass boat that had very coarse sand feel to it. I started with 1000 grit wet sand and it looked like it was gonna take me weeks. I did what you said and hit it with a coarse paper. I used 400 grit, Then 1500, then 2000 then meguiars compound, then Meguiar's polish and oh my goodness. It looks brand new. Thank you so much.
Great video, thanks for posting it. I've been buffing for a while but have been unable to finish the job without leaving swirl marks behind especially on dark colors. Your video has really helped. Keep on sharing the knowledge.
+david bullard Thanks!
@@FirstMateYC do you make your own compound?
Start fast and coarse, finish fine and slower.
I've seen your video before. Watched it again. It's really excellent. Thanks for the information. Very well done. Thanks. Hope my job turns our half as good as yours.
Awesome tips! The gel coat on my 93 Centurion had been severely neglected before I bought it. Looks exactly like that. I have been scratching my head to find the products and techniques to repair it get that shine back. Look forward to doing it this spring. Thanks!
T
@@sharonlavergne2229 What?
Great video. I use Menzerna's on all my Mercedes and thought let see how well it works on our boat. It is unreal on the boat. I love the fs 400 for oxidation and 2500 for polishing. Then I use Rejex, especially on the rear port, starboard and stern. With diesels if you use wax, the diesel soot does not come off like it does with Rejex on it. I usually put 2 to 3 coats of Rejex, every 24hours for 3 days prior to launch. Gets me through the season.
Rejex is great too, but better for paint. Old gel like this sucks it in like a sponge, and cannot keep a perfect layer of protection.
Great video! Thank you picked up a ton of great tip. -Paul
The more I learn.. the smarter you are. Great job!!!
Great video. You are a professional. I have been looking for something to remove the swirl marks from my black hull. Menzerna 4000 worked fantastic! Thank you for your video.
+wilson wilson Glad it worked out for you!
Great video!!!
The pad numbers and times and details help alot
Great point about wet-sanding. Thank you!!
Right lol 🤣
Thank you for your knowledge. Vero Beach loves you, man!
I have a sea ray 23 1987 same color blue and will do mine soon great video.
Do you ever wash the boat after compounding so there's no grit left over to get in the wax?
HEY GUYS , I will be doing this to my boat, so I looked up all the parts, etc. used in this video …. Some of the names have changed a little, but, through my investigating, here is the updated list (click 'Read more' below) :
Compounds :
- Reel Shine (NOW CALLED STARKE) - Restructure (Hard Cut) (Step 1)
- amzn.to/2WdA3iv
- Menzerna Medium Cut (Step 2)
- amzn.to/2WfpwTY
- Menzerna Super Finish 3500 (Fine Compound) (Step 3)
- amzn.to/2DEhZXg
- Meguires Flagship Premium Marine Wax (Step 4)
- amzn.to/2DFEETd
Dewalt Buffer - Dw849
- amzn.to/2GQc9nM
Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model)
- amzn.to/2GKfPq4
Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship)
- amzn.to/2J2SgLH
3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Used with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish)
- amzn.to/2Wd24Xh
Good Luck ! And check out my TH-cam sailing channel if you are board someday ! - Lando Leaves Land
Menzerna 400 heavy cut is some good shit, i tell ya
@@djstatyk1540 right on. Ya, the Menzerna worked great.
Thank you!! Finally someone answered the repeating question and listed the products and the tools😁 Your awesome!
looking forward to waxing to get this season started.
Waxing can help preserve your boat’s fibreglass exterior and make it easier for you to do follow-up cleaning on your own.
When it gets real hot do you add water to your compound
great vid will help me alot thanks for sharing 👍👍
What do you do with the non skid part of boat when polishing areas that are smooth beside it and the non skid needs work
Is there any opposition to applying wax in forced rotation? Is foam preferable for this on gelcoat?
Great video!
On my 340 Sundancer, I took off the decals from the previous owner and can also see where decals were from the original owner before that. Should I wet sand or not? It’s been buffed and waxed before and can still see it.
Dumb question but do you always go from high to medium to fine grade on all boat detailing jobs? And do you use a different microfiber for taking off all different types of compound? And for the waxing, was that in the random orbit mode? and when can I use random orbit or a regular polisher while detailing?
would i do the same steps on say a non gel coat houseboat for same results???
How much pressure do you apply to the buffer?
Should I do this before I put a partial vinyl wrap on my boat or will that make for poor adhesion? I'd hate for the wrap to start peeling
Do you just get swirl marks with just the wool pads because i angle my pad which is a sponge pad under certain circumstances and i never see any swirl marks
What brand is that "Restructure" cutting coumpound he is showing at the beginning?
Thanks for the video man! Keep up the good work!
Does the water reflect uv onto the gel coat right above the waterline?
after you do this and wax....how often should you wax to maintain?
What a great video. I only wish I could have seen how the whole boat came out.
Interested to know how to blend out the color difference where was a decal. On a white surface, under the decal is whiter. I'm using your methods on a fiberglass RV surface and not a boat.
Thank you so very much for your wealth of information especially the products that you use and how they are used. My boat is not that oxidated but now I know how to execute in keeping my paint longer.
+sleeper6t6 Glad to know you are taking care of your boat!
My boat is also blue with some white fiberglass. About the same condition as this boat. We live in the Keys and use our boat almost daily. (2007 26' Striper cc)
Overall a good video, however I wasted 1/2 of my product starting at 1100 rpm's as advised. I did 2 full passes on my boat at 1100 rpms and it did very little. Once I increased it to 1600rpms it did a great job but still needed 2 full passes. To see if I was correct I started the white at 1600rpms and yep, two passes did it.
What compound did you use?
Nice man, thanks for posting this!
Thank Trevor. I was just about to get my gradywhite a wet sand. But I will use your method first. Can you post a list of products.
Awesome!!! Got to do my boat now !!!
who polishes is direct sun ?
I was told after buffing you need to wash the area with soap and water ( or whatever you wash your car with ) then wax? Is this true?
What would you charge per ft to do this?
My new to me, resale boat has a wrap. Can I wax and buff that?
No tricks no mirrors, just shine 👍
Hi. I got a 2003 Regal Commodore 2465 all white.It's 25 feet long. It did seat on sun for 2-3 years and there is no more shine. I cleaned it with pressure washer and now it's super clean! To get it buffed by someone professional the way you did, how much approximately does it cost? Thank you!
GOOD JOB ON THE BUFFING. I WANT TO ASK YOU HAVE YOU EVER BUFFED A CAPE HORN BOATS...!!! THEY HAVE VERY HIGH END GEAL COATING IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY. I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF IT. BUT HAVE YOU BUFFED ANY & IF SO HOW DID IT TURN OUT. THANKS.
I am fully aroused at that reveal. God that’s satisfying. I want to go polish something (my car or something, maybe) but it’s late and I’ve been drinking. Keep up the good work.
Doesn't the repaired/re-surfaced area stick out like a sore thumb -- and wouldn't the rest of the hull be in line for the same treatment?
thanks for all the great advice
Great job guys.
Can this be done on a RV or Travel Trailer?
Its 2018 did you ever fishing that 52' ?
How did you prepare the boat before buffing? Did you wash it with soap? I’ve heard toilet bowl cleaner works great.
you should become an amazon affiliate and post the links to your part numbers in the description. When we click through those links and buy then you get a commission. A win for everyone!
Great video. Can you list the products used including the buffer pads with model numbers . Thank you
Some of the names have changed a little, but, through my investigating, here is the updated list :
Compounds :
- Reel Shine (NOW CALLED STARKE) - Restructure (Step 1)
- amzn.to/2WdA3iv
- Menzerna Medium Cut (Step 2)
- amzn.to/2WfpwTY
- Menzerna Super Finish 3500 (Fine Compound) (Step 3)
- amzn.to/2DEhZXg
- Meguires Flagship Premium Marine Wax (Step 4)
- amzn.to/2DFEETd
Dewalt Buffer - Dw849
- amzn.to/2GQc9nM
Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model)
- amzn.to/2GKfPq4
Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship)
- amzn.to/2J2SgLH
3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Use with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish)
- amzn.to/2Wd24Xh
Good Luck !
Good job on the gelcoat...I don't envy your job. I know how much work it takes to get gelcoat back like that as i did that to one of the boats I owned that was almost as bad as that. I used a DA polisher with foam pads so it took me a little longer than using wool etc. I used 3D products HD Uno for the entire job just changing pads along the way.
The RO DA polishers are great for applying wax, but you really need a rotary wheel with torque to 'cut' the severe oxidation. Make the tools work, not you!
Awesome video. I need to do this to mine
Very good. Most helpful.
Chalky? So how do I prevent it? The wax?
nice work man! can you recommend anyone in metro Detroit for my boat?
Great video and thank you. I use a little different approach for boats here in Michigan. In Fla its probably a whole different approach with salt water and heat. As an fyi I use a new 3M 3000 Non Woven Disc, and go right to polish. Ive been doing it this way on cars so I tried it last week on a Crownline and it worked great. I also have it available on my ecommerce site should you be interested . My problem are the bottoms as I approach 70 I'm no spring chicken anymore.. Again I appreciate seeing your videos.
Donald, You are selling a polish? we always love trying new products. A clear coat (or even single stage paint) on a car is a much less porous material than gelcoat, and ages much better. Oxidized gel requires allll these steps. WE do a lot of work in Northern Michigan as well!
$129 for 2 quarts very affordable? what am i missing here.. tx for the vid tho - just one product for the whole job? great vid man - looks like ill be hunting for some tools now :/ can i buff out a light dull wet sand spot? also - scratches that are above the surface - should i just buff em out with the 4000 or meguires?
This is so great! thank you. You gave the secrets away!
Hehe, great vid!! I was actually wondering the part no. for the sunnies... ;) Seriously though, I've got a regal 1900 that has been kept 12 years in freshwater, & is now in a saltwater marina, & her underside needs some SERIOUS attention... I've been advised that toilet-bowl cleaner will remove the layer of gunk that has changed her hull colour from white to green-brown... Once that's sorted, I'll be following this for how to get the shine back on her. tyvm
Wet sand or not, you have to remove all the oxidation. You talk about multiple passes with a buffer to get the results you want, well you and I both know you are stripping gel coat on every pass. You also have to make sure you keep cleaning out your pad with every pass. Wet sanding strips all the dead off BEFORE you start buffing, and gets you MUCH BETTER end results. I'm sure the customer will be happy with this, but because it wasn't done right all the way, you'll never be able to seal it up right and the oxidation will keep coming back faster, causing you to keep having to use aggressive compounds every couple years, and keep stripping the gel coat. You and I can see the swirls and dull spots left in that spot you did. Do it right the first time and you won't have to keep re-doing it. Wet sand it. You DO have to wet sand it to get the best possible, longest lasting results, that will remove more gel coat today but save so much in the long run.
Thanks James, can you give more details on the wet sanding? Any good video tutorials for that? What grit etc... ? Thanks !
What speed do you set the buffer for the various compound products. Mild, moderate, aggressive, etc.
STart slower with more aggressive compound, finish high with finer (helps burn off if too much oil, makes wiping up easier, and bakes in oil).
Thanks man great vid
Thanks for the video. Did you change the pad after each pass?
Very nice job - I've watched this video several times, trying to document your technique. I've got a 2003 Sundancer 260. Got a Makita 7" rotary with a wool pad and set of CCC foam pads, and a Porter Cable 7424xp with an assortment of cutting/polishing/finishing pads. My boat is white, so its tougher to see when I've gotten through all the oxidation, but my question is this: how much compound do you use, how much pressure do you apply, and how do you know when you've worked through the compound and need to clean your pad/apply more compound?
I like to make sure there is enough compound on so the boat doesn't get 'hot', and it is lubricated. A very thin layer, there shouldn't be 'mountains' of compound. Medium to heavy pressure; BUT KEEP THE PAD FLAT!!!!!. When you cannot see the compound, or it dries to a haze, apply more.
What is the model/description of that buffer and the pads again? Nice video!
Buffers / Pads :
Dewalt Buffer - Dw849
- amzn.to/3kFffgv
Makita Buffer - BO6050J (newer model)
- amzn.to/2GKfPq4
Shurehold Wax Pad (Used with Makita Buffer (wiggle mode) and Meguires Flagship)
- amzn.to/2J2SgLH
3M ultra fine foam polishing pad 05733 (Use with Dewalt Buffer and Menzerna Super Finish)
- amzn.to/2Wd24Xh
Wool Compounding Pads I used : amzn.to/2PO3LsA
I used / use these buffers and they are great... I love anything from Dewalt especially. Will last a LONG time.
Good Luck !!!
Hope I was able to help.
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is the menzerna super finish 4000 for cars as well ? you cant find there marine stuff on any American web sites
Yes. Menzerna is an EXCELLENT line. well suited for Auto as well, very greasy, long working time.
Great Video! Thanks!!!!
Thanks excellent instruction.
Why not start by sanding then using the compound?
Why does it have a shiny stripe at the bottom of the dulled blue gel coat that disappears when you buff it? Was a stripe buffed into it before? Just wondering
I was wondering that too! I'm guessing it was covered by a glued on stripe which was removed just before the buffing.
Thanks for the video; very useful and will save us a lot of time ....and money:)
How thorough are you with cleaning before buffing? Just schampo and rinse? Or do you see to it that all different types of dirt is removed before buffing? I'm having some problems removing darker water stains on white gelcoat by hand and then when I start to buff some of it comes off and kinda smears into the buffed area. Anyone got some ideas? I don't want to use too strong chemicals like acetone risking a dryed up gelcoat.
We are very thorough before buffing! anything left behind is either going to be ground into the boat, or will simply be more work to remove. I am guessing the darker water stains may have some rust in them, or something else that is harder to remove (not just 'water'). Acetone will not help that type of stain, but I would recommedn an acid. Start mild, with vinegar, then use something stronger till you see a difference; lime-away/CLR -> bottom cleaner -> muriatic
Is there a big difference between using the Makita and the Dewalt? Could you not just get by with one of them or do they function that differently?
+Roby Hutchinson The buffers used have different purposes. One is a RANDOM orbital buffer, the other is not. To reduce the chance of seeing swirl marks, you want to use the random orbital.
Thanks for the info. Great video.
THANKS !!!!!!!! CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MINE???
I have a question on pricing. I am in Louisiana and I recarpet boats,mostly bass boats and I sometimes buff and wax boats for customers who ask me too. Do yall charge by length of boat or by square footage? I am sure level of oxidation plays a part also.
gmtony55 We charge by the hour, plus cost of materials. For boats of common lengths/widths, we do charge by the foot as we can predict the amount of time it will take (we have lots and lots of data from past jobs). The level of oxidation certainly plays a part!
Nice video. My question is, how long did that shine last under the sun? I have some experience doing this and sometimes the oxidation comes back quickly after buffing.
I can't find the Reel Shine compound. Anyone know where to get it? Thanks.
If the Reel Shine is out of stock you can use this (also works great) : amzn.to/30OZX0t
Thanks for this video, very helpful.
Just a quick question, do you use the vertical tape when you are doing a real job (i.e. not for the video)? I just started my first job on my mostly white sailboat and the vertical stripe seems to make sense to track what I have done and what I haven't.
Also, I have red gelcoat stripes going down the boat. Should I cover them with tape and then go back afterward and do them seperately?
Dave Henning
Used car dealer/detailer here. No, you don't need vertical tape lines. You don't want to have an edge. You'll be able to see which areas need more buffing.
Nice Job!! What do you normally charge to do a boat in that condition?
Also do you use the same steps on a white boat?
White boats usually don't need as heavy of compounding.
Thanks for the tips and yes......I would love a shirt!!Autograph and send out ASAP!!!!lmao!!!
thanks, very informative!
Great Video and helpful. Thanks.
Thanks so much for the info!
How many RPM do you spin the buffer??
I start low, to initially work the compound in around 600-800rpm, and minimize sling. To finish, I rev it up to around 2000rpm
My boat is 22 years old. Is a paste wax better for sealing the gel coat that a liquid wax?
For longevity, use a sealant like Powerlock+. If you're after depth and clarify, and keep up on the maintenance, use a paste wax.
Is Maguire"s Pure Wax, just as good as the Flagship wax that you use? If not, what do you usually use the pure wax for? a
Also, great video!!!! It's helped me a lot on my 1984 Sea Ray Sundancer.
I've used the Meguiar's one step compound and it works well. The stuff in a blue bottle. My gelcoat oxidation was so bad it was almost white instead of its its teal color. Took all the oxidation out and gave it a really nice shine. I'd give this a try if your looking for a good compound.
We learned a lot thanks!
At this rate it will be done in 2 months?