I been watching you for years. I’ve teetered with wet sanding cuz in past I didn’t use the rt products. This time I did and nothing but excellence! 3m should thank you for getting my money lol😂take care dude ! Thank you
That's cool, glad you converted brother! Now go tell 3M all about it! They stopped listening to me.. I'm not "polite enough" for Northwestern folks I guess. Lee
Not sure if I'm kidding myself, but I think I'm recognizing more of your cutting technique with each video. Hopefully I'll be able to replicate that with my Cobalt in the coming weeks! You're an artist Lee.
Hi, thanks. It's normal for it to "hit" after a few videos. It's an odd concept with a spinning thing but it works. I'm happy for your "new" boat to be revealed. Cobalt take time and some sweat, get some cold ones and let the magic happen. Best of luck. Lee
I'm not a believer- I'm a KNOWER because I've done it with my own hands!! But I still love to hear you preach it. And I turn the volume UP every time you reach for your 849X!!!
Thanks for all these videos! Your technique and product recommendations really helped me begin to tackle the oxidation that’s creeping onto our gel coat. Would be interested to know how you gauge whether you’re going to need super-duty, or if heavy cut would be adequate? And Re: viewer retainment - I suspect most us fans jump through your vid to find the nuggets of wisdom (and BS) you sprinkle in there, but it’s awesome that you show the whole process so we can see the cadence & technique, and get a feel for what’s right. Keep it up! Cheers from a fellow IPA enthusiast 👍🏻
All good stuff to hear, thanks. On heavy vs Super.. Test spots are key. Every boat (RV) is different and while I think I have a good sense of what they'll take, I never really know until I get in there and find out. Sometimes, Heavy Cut works out to be more aggressive on some gelcoat and it finishes out nicer, way nicer. Then again, in really hard gelcoat, I find Super can be the ONLY thing that makes a dent and on some boats, finishes flawlessly (super rare, I admit) If I can taste the oxidation from a few feet away, Super comes out. If I can see it, Heavy and if I sense it, Perfect-it ex ac. These aren't rules but guidelines I use. I can see how it's confusing but, like you say, I show the whole process so people can be just as surprised as I am when we find out what works. Thanks again! Lee
Soooo -- just watched this video tonight (and a few others). Wish I'd found you before I watched so many videos of the other detailers on TH-cam , but I suppose better late than never. So am I correct in thinking that you agree with other detailers that you must get the oxidation removed or it's going to come right back regardless of the method you use? If the answer is yes (if it's no then no sense in reading further :), then wondering if your viewpoint is that wet sanding is akin to putting out a campfire with a firehose and that buffing in general with correct quality products can accomplish the same result, or is there something specific about the 3M products in particular that allows you to get the same result with just buffing? Lastly - do you have 5 or 10 videos that you'd recommend to start with? Thanks in advance.
Write my appeal brief and I'll do your boat! Yes, yes and yes. 3M makes consistent products. With a bit of know-how, anyone can use them. They aren't special really. 3M came out because they honestly didn't understand what they were seeing their products do in my vids. Technique is better than products. Go slow speed kills. As to the 5 videos; anything of mine, longer than 30 minutes. (there's plenty) grab a beer and settle in. I appreciate that you're here and with luck, you'll find what you're looking for. I'm here if you get stuck. Lee
I don't want to be critical since I enjoy your videos. But, newbie here needing more - this video shows application and removal four different products in defense of not wet sanding. But it does not show the products or even explain which one is which - compound versus polish etc. It does not tell you how long to leave it on, should it be left to dry and then removed - or not. Using that multi-speed buffing tool, what speed to apply and remove each product? Finally, a very slow pour of the beer down the inner side of the glass would eliminate most of that foam off the top.😂 * Just wondering what the products were.
Check out the description.. Check out another of my vids? I'm generally a very, "show your work" kind of guy. If I used it, I generally tell people how. Scroll through my library, find one over an hr long; it'll show way too much. Bring snacks. Sorry this one was confusing. Lee
Wait a minute.. There's a female watching these!? You're one out of 3, youtube tells me about and I never believe until proven true. Sorry, for me it's like seeing Bigfoot or Nessie. When I'm racing weather or a schedule, I film less than I'd like.. When the boat gets started and stopped due a schedule or product issue and then picked up again, I lose motivation to remember what I'd shown/haven't. At some point, I just document what I generally did so it doesn't look like I just used magic instead of the actual work. I get lazy sometimes😖 The angry boats take most of my focus and I video as a secondary goal. Sometimes the camera feels like a ankle bracelet worn by convicts more than a camera. I'm not the best. Lee
One last bit: (I forgot about the beer pour tip) Yes but... I want half the carbondioxide out of the beer before I drink it so I pour it aggressively with and IPA. A lager or pilsner, let it be bubbly but I like my IPA's a bit less active going down, and coming back up in a burp. At home, I'm a tad bit more civilized than in a boat yard but I appreciate the attention to detail. Lee
Hey have you had luck bringing the color back on a Grady-White? I keep buffing my 20 year old boat but so far I just have a shiny white boat…trying to bring back the off white factory color.
You might have to grind deep. Most gelcoat changes color over time, it's normal. I know the color you want... Try using "Restorer wax" by 3M.it sometimes adds a a tan color to white gelcoat as it settles in the pores. Other than that, get used to it..? 😁 If you've got a gelcoat depth meter (around $3k)Id say sand it till you've reached fresh pigment. Ask yourself if doing this has more to do with the best thing for the gelcoat over a lifetime. I'd say, shiny and white is how I'd enjoy her. She still helps you kill fish so.. Keeper! Last options: a vinyl wrap or a paint/gelcoat respray.
@@Local_Boydidgood thanks Lee! She kills fish indeed- I’ve hit bare glass on some corners already on the topside so I think the gelcoat is getting thin- thanks for the tip on the wax I’ll try that as well
Great video as usual I’m coming across customers they want their boat sanded and I’ve told them that there’s a better way but they still feel like they want to see someone saying the hall to make them feel better about it. I don’t know how to overcome that Service situation. I said well that’s what I can offer you and that’s it and then they say what kind of boat detailer are you? We don’t know how to send a boat? Also, I’ve come across some boats where they’ve had patchwork done on the hall of the boat and I’m wondering how to deal with these things they look yellowish patches and I think that they’ve had some sort of work done on it so the reason for this is, I need to find out if there’s some sort of checklist for a newbie like me to go through in order not to get myself with any kind of trouble to recognize what I should work on and work on I know that comes with experience anyhow any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi. I've never had anyone ask me to sand a boat but living in the Pacific Northwest, I don't know anyone who sands a boat anymore. Part of being a detailer is educating the customer. Show them a demo spot, compound it and polish it as normal. Let them see how long it lasts and they can come back next year. No matter how well a boat is sanded, unless the detailer used a good marine wax (not one for car paint and not a cleaner wax) no matter how smooth it's sanded, it'll fail when the "wax" does. So I honestly don't know why sanding is still a thing. Most sanders use carnauba wax when done, which lasts weeks in heat and months in overcast weather (Seattle) but that's it.. How is that better? As to patchwork on hulls.. There's nothing you can do but polish what's there, you aren't there to resurface the boat just to shine it. Almost all hulls have some damage, like car bumpers do. If the repair was bad, you'll see it. Just shine it up and move on. Try to clean the surface of any stains prior to applying wax and sometimes if it's a rust or waterline stain, when the gelcoat is dull, chemicals to remove stains, stick better and stay where you want them as opposed to when it's smooth and glossy from compounding. As to the checklist.. Document every bad thing you see on a boat before ever touching it (video/camera) fix what you can, ignore what you can't but let the customer know what you saw and offer ways they can have someone fix it properly next time. I can only say that a detailer who cares is worth more than 10 who don't and many don't. Get on the Google machine and start researching. I'll keep showing what I do but I am not about to teach an entire class on how to be a detailer, that comes from you and your experiences. Like I said before, I don't get the request to sand. I just do my thing and grow as people learn. Tell people that we were sanding boats when we landed on the moon. Ask them if they know of any other skill or trade that's the same today as it was then. They've all adapted, boat detailers were late but there's science now and chemicals... Things have changed. Back when we landed on the moon, doctors were still recommending which cigarettes to buy... Tell these troglidites that the past is dead and if they want your skills, they have to accept that. Or something. Lee
@@Local_Boydidgood haley thanks again really want to thank you for all the information you gave me. I know it’s time-consuming but well worth it thank you so much and love what you’ve been saying all along and will stick to the plan and make things work and I have been doing a lot of research lately, so that’s why I was asking this particular question about sending. Thanks again. All the best
Sometimes, you actually have to show people what you're capable of even if they're not paying you. Now you don't have to do this a lot but it is sometimes necessary in order to get people over the hump. Good luck and as a last ditch effort, consider moving to the Pacific northwest.
@@Local_Boydidgood it’s interesting. You say that to do something for nothing showing what you capable of I’ve done that many times and it’s gotten me some work mostly in cars but the last ones I did for jet skis I did two for the price of one and now I’ve got two boats to do so I was a good thought. Thank you Lee. You’re a good man. Take care.
If you plant seeds well, harvesting later can be a joy. People need to "see" what's possible before they can desire a thing. We all want a shiny boat/car but until we see a "detailed" (boat/car like ours) we just assume it's all hype, not worth the money. Boating is ego (unless fishing or shipping people or cargo professionally) so showing a mirror to the marina, generally catches the attention of others who seek you out. That's how it starts anyways. Keep making smiles. Lee
Why don’t you use applicator pads. I feel like with applicator pads you can more evenly spread the product or put more or less in certain areas. I’ve always used the gator grip pads.
One less thing to deal with and, we never needed them. For certain places, a terrycloth towel folded into a square is used but for the most part, efficiency. Lee
Once every few years if you maintain your boat well. A spray detailer whenever you think about it or use the boat helps keep it clean and shiny for years after this but you have to be religious about it to keep the buffer away for long. Lee
You commented on a video of a guy doing a bass boat with metal flake. Said your way was faster and better. They're 2 different gel coat types. You're taking color on this type. You won't on a bass boat. How's your technique work on the rough oxidized metal flake gel coat on a bass boat? I don't see any videos on your channel.
I been watching you for years. I’ve teetered with wet sanding cuz in past I didn’t use the rt products. This time I did and nothing but excellence! 3m should thank you for getting my money lol😂take care dude ! Thank you
That's cool, glad you converted brother! Now go tell 3M all about it! They stopped listening to me.. I'm not "polite enough" for Northwestern folks I guess.
Lee
Not sure if I'm kidding myself, but I think I'm recognizing more of your cutting technique with each video. Hopefully I'll be able to replicate that with my Cobalt in the coming weeks! You're an artist Lee.
Hi, thanks. It's normal for it to "hit" after a few videos. It's an odd concept with a spinning thing but it works. I'm happy for your "new" boat to be revealed.
Cobalt take time and some sweat, get some cold ones and let the magic happen.
Best of luck.
Lee
I'm not a believer- I'm a KNOWER because I've done it with my own hands!! But I still love to hear you preach it. And I turn the volume UP every time you reach for your 849X!!!
Zealot! You guys kill me. Glad you're on my side. Thanks and congrats on, lots it seems!
Lee
Thanks for all these videos! Your technique and product recommendations really helped me begin to tackle the oxidation that’s creeping onto our gel coat.
Would be interested to know how you gauge whether you’re going to need super-duty, or if heavy cut would be adequate?
And Re: viewer retainment - I suspect most us fans jump through your vid to find the nuggets of wisdom (and BS) you sprinkle in there, but it’s awesome that you show the whole process so we can see the cadence & technique, and get a feel for what’s right. Keep it up!
Cheers from a fellow IPA enthusiast 👍🏻
All good stuff to hear, thanks.
On heavy vs Super.. Test spots are key. Every boat (RV) is different and while I think I have a good sense of what they'll take, I never really know until I get in there and find out. Sometimes, Heavy Cut works out to be more aggressive on some gelcoat and it finishes out nicer, way nicer. Then again, in really hard gelcoat, I find Super can be the ONLY thing that makes a dent and on some boats, finishes flawlessly (super rare, I admit)
If I can taste the oxidation from a few feet away, Super comes out. If I can see it, Heavy and if I sense it, Perfect-it ex ac.
These aren't rules but guidelines I use. I can see how it's confusing but, like you say, I show the whole process so people can be just as surprised as I am when we find out what works.
Thanks again!
Lee
Thank you for each and every video. Your advice means a lot and I’m learning a lot from it.
Nice to hear. I hope they help.
Lee
Soooo -- just watched this video tonight (and a few others). Wish I'd found you before I watched so many videos of the other detailers on TH-cam , but I suppose better late than never. So am I correct in thinking that you agree with other detailers that you must get the oxidation removed or it's going to come right back regardless of the method you use? If the answer is yes (if it's no then no sense in reading further :), then wondering if your viewpoint is that wet sanding is akin to putting out a campfire with a firehose and that buffing in general with correct quality products can accomplish the same result, or is there something specific about the 3M products in particular that allows you to get the same result with just buffing? Lastly - do you have 5 or 10 videos that you'd recommend to start with? Thanks in advance.
Write my appeal brief and I'll do your boat!
Yes, yes and yes. 3M makes consistent products. With a bit of know-how, anyone can use them. They aren't special really. 3M came out because they honestly didn't understand what they were seeing their products do in my vids. Technique is better than products.
Go slow speed kills.
As to the 5 videos; anything of mine, longer than 30 minutes. (there's plenty) grab a beer and settle in.
I appreciate that you're here and with luck, you'll find what you're looking for. I'm here if you get stuck.
Lee
NIce new angle on it Lee. I get what your trying to do. I will drop you an email later on today (Monday. Those ipa's look good enjoy buddy
Perspective and all. Cheers!
I don't want to be critical since I enjoy your videos. But, newbie here needing more - this video shows application and removal four different products in defense of not wet sanding. But it does not show the products or even explain which one is which - compound versus polish etc. It does not tell you how long to leave it on, should it be left to dry and then removed - or not. Using that multi-speed buffing tool, what speed to apply and remove each product?
Finally, a very slow pour of the beer down the inner side of the glass would eliminate most of that foam off the top.😂 * Just wondering what the products were.
Check out the description.. Check out another of my vids? I'm generally a very, "show your work" kind of guy. If I used it, I generally tell people how. Scroll through my library, find one over an hr long; it'll show way too much. Bring snacks.
Sorry this one was confusing.
Lee
Wait a minute.. There's a female watching these!? You're one out of 3, youtube tells me about and I never believe until proven true. Sorry, for me it's like seeing Bigfoot or Nessie.
When I'm racing weather or a schedule, I film less than I'd like.. When the boat gets started and stopped due a schedule or product issue and then picked up again, I lose motivation to remember what I'd shown/haven't. At some point, I just document what I generally did so it doesn't look like I just used magic instead of the actual work.
I get lazy sometimes😖 The angry boats take most of my focus and I video as a secondary goal. Sometimes the camera feels like a ankle bracelet worn by convicts more than a camera. I'm not the best.
Lee
One last bit: (I forgot about the beer pour tip) Yes but... I want half the carbondioxide out of the beer before I drink it so I pour it aggressively with and IPA. A lager or pilsner, let it be bubbly but I like my IPA's a bit less active going down, and coming back up in a burp.
At home, I'm a tad bit more civilized than in a boat yard but I appreciate the attention to detail.
Lee
Hey have you had luck bringing the color back on a Grady-White? I keep buffing my 20 year old boat but so far I just have a shiny white boat…trying to bring back the off white factory color.
You might have to grind deep. Most gelcoat changes color over time, it's normal. I know the color you want...
Try using "Restorer wax" by 3M.it sometimes adds a a tan color to white gelcoat as it settles in the pores. Other than that, get used to it..? 😁
If you've got a gelcoat depth meter (around $3k)Id say sand it till you've reached fresh pigment. Ask yourself if doing this has more to do with the best thing for the gelcoat over a lifetime.
I'd say, shiny and white is how I'd enjoy her. She still helps you kill fish so.. Keeper!
Last options: a vinyl wrap or a paint/gelcoat respray.
@@Local_Boydidgood thanks Lee! She kills fish indeed- I’ve hit bare glass on some corners already on the topside so I think the gelcoat is getting thin- thanks for the tip on the wax I’ll try that as well
If nothing else, you'll have learned something. That's worth the beer price!
Great video as usual
I’m coming across customers they want their boat sanded and I’ve told them that there’s a better way but they still feel like they want to see someone saying the hall to make them feel better about it. I don’t know how to overcome that Service situation. I said well that’s what I can offer you and that’s it and then they say what kind of boat detailer are you? We don’t know how to send a boat?
Also, I’ve come across some boats where they’ve had patchwork done on the hall of the boat and I’m wondering how to deal with these things they look yellowish patches and I think that they’ve had some sort of work done on it so the reason for this is, I need to find out if there’s some sort of checklist for a newbie like me to go through in order not to get myself with any kind of trouble to recognize what I should work on and work on I know that comes with experience anyhow any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi. I've never had anyone ask me to sand a boat but living in the Pacific Northwest, I don't know anyone who sands a boat anymore.
Part of being a detailer is educating the customer. Show them a demo spot, compound it and polish it as normal. Let them see how long it lasts and they can come back next year. No matter how well a boat is sanded, unless the detailer used a good marine wax (not one for car paint and not a cleaner wax) no matter how smooth it's sanded, it'll fail when the "wax" does. So I honestly don't know why sanding is still a thing. Most sanders use carnauba wax when done, which lasts weeks in heat and months in overcast weather (Seattle) but that's it.. How is that better?
As to patchwork on hulls.. There's nothing you can do but polish what's there, you aren't there to resurface the boat just to shine it. Almost all hulls have some damage, like car bumpers do. If the repair was bad, you'll see it. Just shine it up and move on.
Try to clean the surface of any stains prior to applying wax and sometimes if it's a rust or waterline stain, when the gelcoat is dull, chemicals to remove stains, stick better and stay where you want them as opposed to when it's smooth and glossy from compounding.
As to the checklist.. Document every bad thing you see on a boat before ever touching it (video/camera) fix what you can, ignore what you can't but let the customer know what you saw and offer ways they can have someone fix it properly next time.
I can only say that a detailer who cares is worth more than 10 who don't and many don't. Get on the Google machine and start researching. I'll keep showing what I do but I am not about to teach an entire class on how to be a detailer, that comes from you and your experiences. Like I said before, I don't get the request to sand. I just do my thing and grow as people learn.
Tell people that we were sanding boats when we landed on the moon. Ask them if they know of any other skill or trade that's the same today as it was then. They've all adapted, boat detailers were late but there's science now and chemicals... Things have changed. Back when we landed on the moon, doctors were still recommending which cigarettes to buy... Tell these troglidites that the past is dead and if they want your skills, they have to accept that. Or something.
Lee
@@Local_Boydidgood haley thanks again really want to thank you for all the information you gave me. I know it’s time-consuming but well worth it thank you so much and love what you’ve been saying all along and will stick to the plan and make things work and I have been doing a lot of research lately, so that’s why I was asking this particular question about sending. Thanks again.
All the best
Sometimes, you actually have to show people what you're capable of even if they're not paying you. Now you don't have to do this a lot but it is sometimes necessary in order to get people over the hump. Good luck and as a last ditch effort, consider moving to the Pacific northwest.
@@Local_Boydidgood it’s interesting. You say that to do something for nothing showing what you capable of I’ve done that many times and it’s gotten me some work mostly in cars but the last ones I did for jet skis I did two for the price of one and now I’ve got two boats to do so I was a good thought. Thank you Lee. You’re a good man. Take care.
If you plant seeds well, harvesting later can be a joy. People need to "see" what's possible before they can desire a thing. We all want a shiny boat/car but until we see a "detailed" (boat/car like ours) we just assume it's all hype, not worth the money.
Boating is ego (unless fishing or shipping people or cargo professionally) so showing a mirror to the marina, generally catches the attention of others who seek you out.
That's how it starts anyways.
Keep making smiles.
Lee
Swiss cheese! Great work, Lee. So how long did it take to complete this boat start to finish?
Technically 2 good days but the rain made that 6.. Springtime follies.
Lee
I have my hack use before you buff wash boat use magic eraser works like sanding paper but with out sanding marks help like 50% less buffing
Interesting. I know they can definitely Scuff a boat. Good info, thanks.
Lee
Why don’t you use applicator pads. I feel like with applicator pads you can more evenly spread the product or put more or less in certain areas. I’ve always used the gator grip pads.
One less thing to deal with and, we never needed them.
For certain places, a terrycloth towel folded into a square is used but for the most part, efficiency.
Lee
How often do you have to do this?
Looks great
Once every few years if you maintain your boat well.
A spray detailer whenever you think about it or use the boat helps keep it clean and shiny for years after this but you have to be religious about it to keep the buffer away for long.
Lee
Thanks!
Thanks.
You commented on a video of a guy doing a bass boat with metal flake. Said your way was faster and better. They're 2 different gel coat types. You're taking color on this type. You won't on a bass boat. How's your technique work on the rough oxidized metal flake gel coat on a bass boat? I don't see any videos on your channel.