Boat detailing

Shades · 02-20-07, 10:11

Ok guys, the same guy who owns that Black chrome edition ford asked me to detail his boat. He has like a 21ft bay boat. He basically wants a good protectant on it. I need recommendations from you guys who have done boats on the best products to use on the fiberglass. I'll pretty much be doing the hull and all gelcoated interior components. What's hot and what not. I'll be using a milwaukee rotary on it as well. Thanks!!

-Jeremy

JuneBug · 02-20-07, 10:56

Good luck getting replies here. I found a bunch of advice and products at properboatcare.com

Danase · 02-20-07, 10:56

I really like Four Star 4-40 for fiberglass and gel-coat work.

GBSLambo · 02-20-07, 10:57

I like to use Klasse Twins on my boat. Just and added note. I hate detailing the sides on a boat especially when its on the lift.

xtahoex · 02-20-07, 11:57

I've never tried them but I hear the meguiars products work pretty well and are available otc. There is also a section on the meguiars forum I believe for boats. Good Luck.

Brandon1 · 02-20-07, 01:07

I just use whatever I have on hand in my car category. I am doing a boat tomm. that is a 22ft center console and except for the "hull" sealant, I am just planning on using #105 on the whole boat.

shadybreal · 02-20-07, 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon1

I just use whatever I have on hand in my car category. I am doing a boat tomm. that is a 22ft center console and except for the "hull" sealant, I am just planning on using #105 on the whole boat.

Please take some pics and let me know how it went. I've got about 4 or 5 boats I could do when I find the time. I bought the Megs boat detailing kit, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Thanks!

jimmie jam · 02-20-07, 01:37

IW 845 is my choise.

great shine and durability, if the glass is in really good shape to begin with.

themightytimmah · 02-20-07, 01:44

I like Collinite. Usually I polish with Meguiars boat products because I don't need enough to buy in bulk - #67 one-step on a light cut wool pad topped with 845IW via PC and finishing pad.

googledude · 02-20-07, 02:03

I use alot of meguiars products. I use a good diluted APC to aide in the washing of the outside then like to use meguiars cleaner/polish combo on the exterior of the boat. I usually then follow up with a product called lightning polyseal, but have also used S100 with great results. I forget the name of the meguiars product off the top of my head, but it is a cleaner/polish in one combo, and I think it works great. Used it on almost all of my marina work last summer. See this thread for a few boat shots from me
http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...good-luck.html

DETAILKING · 02-20-07, 03:06

Don't be afraid to go aggressive on a gel coat, they are tough and sometimes the oxidation can be a bear to remove!

On an older boat, I like to use a rotary and a good medium cut polish (unless the fiberglass is really faded). then I go over it with an agressive sealant.....nu finish, Liquid Glass,etc. Solvents and abrasives seem to work well on old, faded, neglected fiberglass.

If the boat is newer and the gel coat is in good shape, I would clean it real good and use Zaino or Collinite.

johnson48 · 02-20-07, 03:47

I have used megs boat/rv polish followed by flagship premium wax and was very impressed with the results. However, I was so impressed with zaino on my car that i am going to use some z products this time. I considered aio, jw strong w/aj topper, and the megs products but went with the z line now that they have zaio. here is what im going to do (btw my boat is 1 year old with imron painted hull sides)
- ONR wash (no running water in storage facility)
- ZPC for any scuffs, scratches, rope marks, oxidation w/yellow or orange ccs pad
- ZAIO for whole boat w/green ccs pads
- Several Z3/zfx layers with z6 wipe downs
- 1-2 Z5/zfx coats
- Z8 final wipedown
- CS final coat

i also bought some 4" spot buffs for the hard to reach areas or small areas that a little zpc.