Polish / compound / wax questions!

[minj]

Hello,
I am looking for advice in terms of product to use and in which order.
I have done the following at the moment.

1- Cleaned the boat exterior with blue dawn and hot water
2- used armashell paint reconditionner and meguiars finishing polish (beige bottle) with a buffing tool (mixed the 2)
3- used 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Light Cutting Polish + Wax for the top and interior with a regular microfiber cloth
4- washed the boat with meguiar's boat wash 43
5- Might have to wash it again since there are still traces of the white compound

I was now wondering what to do. Am I missing anything between the compound and the wax? The color paint is dull and would like it to be glossy like new! (I have already purchased the following: Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax? (this is already purchased))

Thank you!

 

[dingbat]

Hello,
I am looking for advice in terms of product to use and in which order.
I have done the following at the moment.

1- Cleaned the boat exterior with blue dawn and hot water
2- used armashell paint reconditionner and meguiars finishing polish (beige bottle) with a buffing tool (mixed the 2)
3- used 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Light Cutting Polish + Wax for the top and interior with a regular microfiber cloth
4- washed the boat with meguiar's boat wash 43
5- Might have to wash it again since there are still traces of the white compound

I was now wondering what to do. Am I missing anything between the compound and the wax? The color paint is dull and would like it to be glossy like new! (I have already purchased the following: Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax? (this is already purchased))

Thank you!

If your color is still dull you didn’t use an aggressive enough rubbing compound. I would recommend something like Smoove Pro-Cut 1000

Normally I use Collinite 920 Fiberglas cleaner followed up with 2 coats of Collinite 885 Fleetwax.

Collinite Boat Wax, The Best Wax on the Water » Collinite

We specifically formulate Collinite boat detailing products to clean faster, shine brighter, protect better and survive longer.

www.collinite.com

If I’m being lazy, I use Smoove Bubble Gum Micro Polish + High Gloss Polymer.

https://www.smoovewax.com/shop

 

[flashback]

Ya need to get the frost off first with an aggressive compound or maybe some sanding with a fine wet sand..or if you're comfortable with s da you can use it..

 

[Scott Danforth]

My guess is the gell is heavily oxidized

Start with 600 grit. Wet sant whole hull being careful near edges.

Then wet sand whole hull with 800 grit. Wash boat

Wet sand with 1000 grit

Buff whole boat with aquabuff 1000.

Wash boat

Buff whole boat with aquabuff 2000.

Wash boat

Buff whole boat with finesse it

Wash boat.

Was boat with favorite wax. Collinite is a lot of work, but worth it.

Repeat every year starting with aquabuff 1000

 

[minj]

I have attached what it looks like at the moment after the armashell paint reconditionner and meguiars finishing polish. The white remaining still have to be cleaned. Would it be ready for the Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax? (where its a darker blue line, there was a vinyl pinstripe that I will put back)

Once cleaned, I put back some vinyls then Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax
That is going to be for this year First time doing this!

 

[dingbat]

I have attached what it looks like at the moment after the armashell paint reconditionner and meguiars finishing polish. The white remaining still have to be cleaned. Would it be ready for the Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax? (where its a darker blue line, there was a vinyl pinstripe that I will put back)

Once cleaned, I put back some vinyls then Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax
That is going to be for this year First time doing this!

Why are you using paint conditioner on gel coat?

Gel coat is pigmented. The “haze” is UV damaged gel coat. The only way to restore the color is to remove the damaged material surface.

Removing the damage surface is done using rubbing compound on lightly damaged gel or sand paper if the damage is extensive enough.

Anything less is a band aide that doesn’t last long

 

[Scott Danforth]

additionally, any vinyl pinstriping will need to be done before waxing