New to boat detailing, looking for advice

[madmanmax3000]

So last year I bought a 2007 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck. I had it put in the water last week :woot: but it`s looking a little dull. It`s driven in Long Island Sound, so it gets a lot of salt exposure and the metal is starting to look a bit rough also. I was considering picking up some polish and wax and was hoping to get some advice on a plan of attack.



One challenge is that the boat is in the water currently, and I don`t trailer it. It seems as though most people detail the boat when its on the trailer. I have a UDM to work with, and I have lots of experience in car detailing.



I`ll probably get flamed for this, but may as well tell you guys that this is my third boat (got my first back in `98) and this is the first one I`ve really thought about detailing!



So what do I need to buy to get my metal and gelcoat glistening again??

[yachtfisher]

depends on how dull it is, usually all the flat(horizintals) get beat up the most. Is your rail tubing aluminum or s/steel ??



light oxizidation - 3m finess it II or heavy oxidation meguires #4 / then finess it II / then meguires polish #49 (i think or 45) which ever is the polish / then sealer PTFE liquid wax.



stainless steel 3-D`s deep blue and collinite metal wax - works great



thats how i would do it



mark

[Greg Nichols]

If its more than light Oxidation, I suggest you use 3M super duty compound. I`m doing a boat right now and it makes fast work of bad oxidation, I will follow it up with Finess it II and then LSP it with Collinite 845.



I`m still game for finding a was with high durability and UVpro.

[imported_themightytimmah]

I usually hit boats with Meguiar`s Marine Line One-Step (#67 IIRC). It`s really as aggressive as you`re going to be able to get without a rotary, and you may end up needing to step up to a rotary and something like Greg and Mark mentioned above.



It leaves a wax behind too, but I like to top with Collinite for extra protection.

[Greg Nichols]

^^^^

Yeah I missed the point you have a UMD, not a rotary. I cannot imagine doing a boat without a rotary, a gel coat is tough.

[abbeysdad]

I`ll probably get flamed for this, but may as well tell you guys that this is my third boat (got my first back in `98) and this is the first one I`ve really thought about detailing!You best give yerself a stern talkin to!

[greggara]

I just tried a product called Buff Magic by Yacht Brite. I believe the parent company is Shurhold. Very easy to use. I just used it on a 20 year old boat and it came out looking great. It can even be used on metal. Check it out.



I will be using it on my 2007 cobalt in the coming weeks.

[impalaman1963]

This stuff is the BEST.

Welcome to Poliglow Products Boat Polish Fiberglass Restoration - The Manufacturer for Over 15 Years! (http://www.poliglow-int.com/)

Before http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h296/impalaman63/no002-1.jpg

After http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h296/impalaman63/no009-1.jpg

[madmanmax3000]

Thanks for the advice guys. So when I use the buffer should I mask off the pinstriping and vinyl details?



Has anybody had any experience with Marine Shield products? I think they may be new this year. They`re a bit pricy but they are made by Raymarine and seem high quality.



For the metal I have been using Flitz liquid polish. Is there anything better to be using?



Hey Greg, do you use the Buff Magic with a rotary or by hand?



Impala, what stores sell Poliglow? I had trouble finding it.

[impalaman1963]

madmanmax3000

I bought mine on ebay much cheaper than local stores.This stuff is GREAT. The Scamp trailer is all fiberglass.

check this site out

PoliGlow - An End to Boat Wax (http://www.myboatstore.com/poliglow2.asp?OVRAW=poliglow&OVKEY=poliglow&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=4025028522&OVKWID=35517388522)

ebay

eBay Motors: Poli-Glow Cleaner and Fiberglass Restorer System (item 170219711582 end time May-22-08 07:26:41 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Poli-Glow-Cleaner-and-Fiberglass-Restorer-System_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50450QQihZ007QQi temZ170219711582QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

[greggara]

You can use Buff Magic by hand but it is many times better with a rotary and wool pad.

[madmanmax3000]

Thanks for the info guys. I`m gonna have to pick up some stuff this week and get started :xyxthumbs

[DetailChicago]

The Yacht Brite products are the best! I also use Serious Shine spray in between details. I noticed them using this on the boats on the floor at the Miami Boat show. Almost all of the manufacturers had a can sitting near the boats.

[DetailChicago]

Agreed, the Yacht Brite Buff Magic is great!

[Yamaha0219]

I just used M105 on my boat, worked amazing on cleaning up all the metal - rails, window trim, everything...