help

fitter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 24, 2009
Messages
30
I recently pick up a 179sx stratos and cant seem to find any info on this boat i would like to restore to original. I need seats and most of the gauges does any have any info that could helpful to me? I am currently putting a new floor in and will begin the process of sanding and buffing the top to try to get the shine back any tips on this i would app. thanks guys.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: help

Try these people for your seats and about anything else you may need!

http://candomarine.stratosdealers.com/


Most boats can be brought back to look new by doing the wetsanding/compounding/glazing/waxing at home for the costs of the products and a high speed sander/buffer if you do not own one...a lot of labor involved, but can save you big $$$$ over a re-clearcoat.

All the peripheral hardware should be removed from the boat, cleats, handrails, lights, windshields, decals, anything that can be unbolted from the top cap and consoles, etc will make the job easier....less obstructions when using the buffer.
You will need a high speed buffer, not an orbital buffer, the high speed produces the heat that makes the compound cut thru the faded clearcoat, you can use a cheap buffer, no need for an expensive model.

3M waffle polishing pads.....the white one for compounding/cutting and the black pad for glazing/polishing.

Wet Sandpaper in 1000/1200/1500/ grit.
You can adjust the grit # lower if the fading is real bad.

3M Perfect It Rubbing Compound # 05973
3M Final Glaze # 06066

Any hard Carnuba Marine Wax

1st step is to remove all the hardware you can.

Wash the boat, remove any tar, bugs , etc stuck on the glass.

2nd step is to wet sand with plenty of water, put a few drops of dishwashing liquid in the sanding water to make the paper slide easier, dunk the paper often to clean the sanded material off the paper.
Sand in a back and forth motion, not in circles.

Start with the 1000 grit, sand the whole area to be redone, rinse off with the hose, repeat with the 1200 grit, and rinse, then again with the 1500 grit....this is very labor intensive , may take you a few days to get thru LOL..., don't sand too hard in one spot, keep feeling the sanded area, if you feel any of the metalflake ( rough , grainy ) stop sanding on that area or you will sand too deep and expose the flakes.

When the sanding is done , wash the boat again to get the glass clean of particles, it will look dull but not faded.

3rd step is using the high speed buffer with the white 3M pad and the rubbing compound, do small areas and move the buffer slowly, not keeping it in one spot or it might burn the gel.
When done compounding wash off the compound and dry the boat.

4th step is using the black 3M pad on the high speed buffer and the 3M final glaze to put on a high gloss glaze coat.

By this time if their was not any actual gelcoat damage the clearcoat should look almost new again.
The final step is putting on a good coat of high carnuba paste wax....then keep the boat clean by wiping it down as soon as ti comes out of the water with one of the spray wipes like Bass Boat Saver..
 

fitter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 24, 2009
Messages
30
Re: help

I really app. all the information. I will do all that and hopfully not have any clearcoat damage. once again thanks for the info.
 
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