How to Clean up 1976 Ozark Bass Boat

[DuckHunter1216]

Hey guys,

Was hoping you guys could give me some quick tips on how to clean this boat up. It's a 1976 Ozark Fiberglass bass boat.

1. Looking to restore the color. Not looking to paint it though.
2. How can I remove the white strip looking stuff where the registration numbers are? I'd like to get rid of that. Heat gun?

 

[gm280]

Hate to break the news to you, but fiberglass hulls are notorious for their finish fading over the years. And most of the time, it is near impossible to make it shine again. Boaters that tried used polishing compounds and buffers and some made their look better, but never back to new shine. As for the white area, the heat gun will help remove the registration numbers, but the white is probably gel coat and will probably remain or need repainted over it to make it disappear.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hey guys,

Was hoping you guys could give me some quick tips on how to clean this boat up. It's a 1976 Ozark Fiberglass bass boat.

1. Looking to restore the color. Not looking to paint it though.
2. How can I remove the white strip looking stuff where the registration numbers are? I'd like to get rid of that. Heat gun?

View attachment 330264

1 - not going to happen without elbow grease and most likely paint, at least not easy, that finish is oxidized badly. you could wet-sand, then buff

2 - if you get the 45 year old decal off, the gel under the decal will be a different color than the rest of the boat simply from fading over 45 years

your boat being 45 years most likely has other issues, such as a soft floor, stringers and transom.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Well even old girls need love...
1. Go to say ace hardware, pick up some Wood Bleach. Mix as directed put the solution in a say weed pump and wet the boat with the solution. Keep the boat wet with that solution as long as you can pay attention to it. RInse and it should brighten considerably....Wood Bleach is oxalic acid the active ingredient in hull cleaners...yet when bought in the raw form it's quite cheap...$10 should do it.

Next stop buffer and compound fluid...Harbor freight sells a good buffer for cheap, and as long as we're being frugal Meguiars sells a fairly decent buffing compound fairly cheap..@10 a bottle...Its called Ultimate not bad stuff actually

From there well how much pain would you like to endure?

 

[Scott Danforth]

or if you are lazy, you can get 10# of oxalic acid on amazon for $27 (used to be about $15) https://www.amazon.com/OXALIC-Crystals-Cleaning-Removal-Remover/dp/B0147IFKBY

still need to sand out the oxidation prior to buffing.

for buffing, I recommend the variable speed harbor freight buffer, Aquabuff 2000 and 3M's Finess-it

 

[DuckHunter1216]

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate it! I'll post my updates!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

or if you are lazy, you can get 10# of oxalic acid on amazon for $27 (used to be about $15) https://www.amazon.com/OXALIC-Crystals-Cleaning-Removal-Remover/dp/B0147IFKBY

still need to sand out the oxidation prior to buffing.

for buffing, I recommend the variable speed harbor freight buffer, Aquabuff 2000 and 3M's Finess-it

Now Now...there is not one single thing about being lazy using acid to verify the glass's state of condition....Sometimes it takes small steps before running full on...stirring the imagination is just part of the adventure..lol

Speaking of running full on your boat is quite well done, I am quite impressed. Took long enough however I've been watching for yrs off and on.