First boat detail lined up

Ruddell · 06-02-09, 03:05

I have my first boat detail lined up this week. It is in our shop and he wants it detailed while it is in there. He just wants a wash and wax. I am going to clean it really well and follow it up with Meguiars cleaner wax to try to offer a little bit of protection. It has an open cabin and a deck above it.

I have a PC7424 and Makita 9227C with wool pads for the rotary. Would applying the wax with wool pads be my best bet? Thanks for the tips and I'll post before and after pics soon.

VanityDetailing · 06-02-09, 07:39

If you can get it, get Meguiar's M66 Quik Detailer/Wax with a Meguiar's W8000 foam pad, and the Makita, on the notch just above 4 on speed control.

Once you get into using the wool pad, you're going to be adding a lot of steps.

I use Meguiar's Velocity MV80 with the Meguiar's W4000 wool pad on REALLY oxidized gelcoats.

As an all around good polish, I'll use the Velocity MV81, with either the W4000 wool or W8000 foam, depending on the oxidation.

If it's a wash/wax job, I'll use the aforementioned M66 and W8000. It doesn't have the same cutting power as the MV81, by a longshot... but it's a good in-between product, between full compounding and washing.

Jakerooni · 06-02-09, 08:16

I would not recommend ever using a foam pad on a boat. Wool is the only way to do it effectively.

VanityDetailing · 06-02-09, 08:25

It's a matter of personal preference.

This was done with Meguiar's Velocity MV81 and Meguiar's W8000 foam polishing pad, with Makita 9227C on speed 3.

Rhino · 06-03-09, 07:39

For one-step jobs I use 3M Restorer&wax. Simply polish the gelcoat with this on a wool pad on speed 3 on 9227 and wipe off the light residue with an MF towel and you're done. This product contains wax and will protect the finish, yet, it has some cutting power to rub off the oxidation. Try it out. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Ruddell · 06-03-09, 02:55

Okay I guess the wool pad sounds like a good bet. I have my dads boat I want to do as well and it is black/red/white. When buffing it you have to tape off the different paint sections as you go to prevent the color from running correct?

Rhino · 06-04-09, 06:40

It would be a good idea to use separate wool pads for both the white and the colored gelcoat to avoid any possibility of color transfer onto the white.