91 stingray project

[Fscott4]

Engine and drive are complete and now working on the exterior. Washed it with strong detergent, then oxalic acid sprayed on and worked with a soft brush, wet sand then rubbing compound with an orbital. It is now ready for a few coats of wax. I will probably tape and drape when I do too and interior.
Does anybody have any easy methods to get the white back to gloss without the wet sand and rubbing compound?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Does anybody have any easy methods to get the white back to gloss without the wet sand and rubbing compound?

paying someone is easier (less elbow grease). however there is no other way

 

[Fscott4]

LOL!!!
My son has a detailing business on the side but I can’t afford him

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Scott pretty much said it. There ain’t no other way around it. I used the Meguiar’s system. Had to start out with the 2000 grit light wet sand to get rid of the chalking. Then 49 oxidation remover, 45 high gloss polish, then 56 carnuba wax. I used a buffer for all of this. The best thing is that 3 years later it still only takes a quick wipe with a towel and the yellow Potomac gold scum line comes right off. Once you do it the right way, the gel is so much easier to take care of.

 

[Fscott4]

I brought the finish out nicely with the meguires deep cut rubbing compound and it looks like it’s ready for wax already. Gonna do the polish next then the carnuba wax. What a difference!

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Make sure you give those poor sore arms and back a rest every now and then. It’s hard work, but worth it.

 

[Fscott4]

You ain’t kidding. I wet sanded one side by hand and did the rubbing compound with an orbital. A friend is gonna lend me his random orbital for the other side and if I see a big difference I’m gonna redo what I’ve already done. It’s very satisfying work and this old boat will look great when it’s done. It’s in very good physical condition but it’s been neglected.
My son says I should get under it and wax the hull but I think That’s gonna be outta my reach so to apeak

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Yeah, I waited a while to do my hull as well. As time went on the hull got more and more annoying to look at on the trailer. The boat looked great on the water…..but spends most of its days on a trailer. One day I just got after it. Got all the stains off with Works toilet bowl cleaner. Once it was dry, spent the next 2 days on my back and knees sanding and polishing. The result is that the underside of the boat stays as clean now as the rest of the boat. A quick swipe with a towel and it looks like the day I waxed it.

 

[Fscott4]

I’m sure I will end up out on my back and knees at some point next spring doing that. The bottom cleaned really well with oxalic acid but there are some scrub marks from the trailer that stand out. It will bother me till it’s done