Sun Damage

[JAK II]

I need to buff out my Chris Craft 22? Launch this winter however I don?t what to hurt the gel coat does anyone have a brand of a rubbing compound they would recommend or a brand for me to stay away from.

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Sun Damage

3m only thing ive used on boats and show cars for 25 years
i use finesse it and perfect it. i also only use a foam pad for BOTH. although you may have to use a wool pad to start depending on how dull it is but i doubt it.
finish with 3m marine ultra

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Sun Damage

This is a hot topic in these here forums So im sure you will have no problem digging out some good info to get you started using Search function.

But I can tell ya now that your going to be using a wool pad.. a rotary buffer ( sander/polisher ) and some good compound ( I personally like the 3m imperial compound ).

If you can hurt your gelcoat then its time for a freash coat of Gel or Paint. NObody here will be able to tell you if you have enough gel on there right now to sand and buff..or just buff.

We need some pics .

YD.

 

[JAK II]

Re: Sun Damage

Thanks for the information the boat sat out this summer under the Georgia sun when I was building a new dock and the sun damage is not too bad however, I want the shine back in her. I will stop by my local marine store and pick up a bottle of the 3M compound and let you know what it does I will take a before and after photo and post it. As for the gel coat, I been told you had to work with care because you could burn through the gel if you used a high-speed buffer I have a regular buffer so I should be ok.

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Sun Damage

your local marine store might be expensive find a local body shop supplier might save you some bucks
as for the buffer if you hold that buffer in one spot you could burn through, let your eyes guide you it will shine up really fast just keep the buffer moving if you have to go over a spot again youll know

 

[captainzac]

Re: Sun Damage

I would suggest that you also get the 3m pads.
They make a pad for each product
The foam pads seem to be more forgiving
I would start with a light grade compound first (do a test spot)
Then move to a heaver grade if needed
Also follow the 3m 1 2 3 program.

Harry

This might help also

What you need to understand is that these compounds are basically liquid abrasive and what you're doing is lightly sanding or polishing your hull. The more faded or "oxidized" your hull is the more you need to compound/polish in order to get back to the original hull color.

Step 1 Compounding: If your topsides are really faded, you should go with the Imperial Compound 3M-06044. This stuff is great at bringing back the original color and knocking out the ugly, faded look. It is applied with the polisher and pad.

Step 2 Finishing: The next step is to follow the Compounding with a Finishing Material boat polish in order to get a glossy, bright finish. We recommend Finesse-It II 3M-09048. Again, you apply this with a polisher and a pad.

Believe it or not, you can get technical about buffing pads, in that there are pads with varying levels of aggressiveness for the compounding and finishing steps. However, generally you can get away with just using the Superbuff Pad 3M-05700 for boat compound and polish applications. You can use both sides of it--one for compounding and one for finishing, if you like. It requires the 3M-05710 Mandrel Adapter.

Step 3 Waxing: After the boat polish is applied, the final step is to protect your finish with a wax. Use 3M-09030 Marine Ultra Performance Wax. It's important that you seal and protect the finish with a good wax to maintain the gloss that you just acquired. You can use any old rag to apply it but the rag will become clogged with the wax and eventually become pretty ineffective.

The 3M High Performance Cloth (3M-67408) is textured in a way that somehow doesn't absorb the wax so that it brings out a great finish. Once you use one, you'll never go back.

 

[JAK II]

Re: Sun Damage

Harry thanks for the information on 3-M products I'll check out a few auto paint stores and see if I can save a buck or two on the compound and just for the record 5 out of 5 said 3-M product.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Sun Damage

I would not wax after...but thats just me and seems like Only me

You Dont have to buy the mandrel ( arbor ) adaptor if they dont have it..you can just thread on a 5/8 nut on your buffer before you put the double buff pad on ( so your arbor screw of the machine doesnt thread through the pad ). But the pad is going to be kinda close to the buffer.

Some pics would really help for progress stages and what you used

YD.

PS. Its kinda hard to burn gel with a polisher unless its an outside radi.