Reflections Detailed: Purple Malibu

**Greg Nichols** · 06-16-2008, 11:16 AM

A buddy of mine called me after he bought this 12 yr old, and said it needed some work, that was an under statement. I took 17 hrs total to restore this boats gel coat, swim deck and covers. the boat was never detailed in it life and it showed.

The boats oxidation was so bad that 105 on a wool was laughed at. I broke out the 3m super duty compound and wool and it was slow going. I decided to wet sand the colored areas and compound the white. I then used Purple foam wool and 105 to remove the sanding marks. My method for wet sanding was 1200 or 1500, 2000,2500 unigrit.

Here are the pics; several befores.

50/50`s

The afters:

We are still sanding the swim deck and cleaning/protecting the canvas. The deck is looking great!

The trailer in time will get repainted.

Hope you enjoy, and please share and post you opinions and suggestion. This boat detailing is another area I need to perfect.

Cheers,

GREG

**RTexasF** · 06-16-2008, 02:30 PM

In all candor I don`t see how you could perfect your boat technique any further.

That was not a recovery it was a rebirth!!! Is the swim platform teak or glass?

**SuperBee364** · 06-16-2008, 05:11 PM

Wow, Greg, that looks beautiful.

**imported_Sludge** · 06-16-2008, 05:39 PM

Can`t imagine how that boat could look nicer. Great job. :up

**imported_smprince1** · 06-16-2008, 05:42 PM

Nice work, heck of a turn-around bringing back the color. :xyxthumbs

**Greg Nichols** · 06-17-2008, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the kind comments gang. I just want to reduce the amount of time it takes to get to this point, I`m sure I can shave some down.

The swim deck is teak, and we sanded it and then applied SEVERAL coats of oil. I`ll post pics in time.

Cheers,

GREG

**bwalker25** · 06-17-2008, 08:50 AM

wow....are you sure thats not perfect greg? that looks amazing!!

**autobahn** · 06-27-2008, 03:16 PM

holy crap that is very very nice!

**The Twanksta** · 08-06-2008, 12:40 PM

Just recently got into boats myself, your work looks amazing! I wish all my jobs were on a trailor

Everything in Tampa is on a lift and no one even owns a trailor. Makes getting a boat to this condition EXTREMELY difficult!

**murf'n'surf** · 08-07-2008, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by The Twanksta

Just recently got into boats myself, your work looks amazing! I wish all my jobs were on a trailor

Everything in Tampa is on a lift and no one even owns a trailor. Makes getting a boat to this condition EXTREMELY difficult!

If you have to do any serious correction, you should push your customer to haul the boat out at a local boat yard and set it on work racks for you to work on it. This will save your back, your time, and your money!! Just a clean and wax can be done on a lift but when it comes to heavier correction ----> head to the boat yard.

**rwisejr** · 08-07-2008, 06:36 AM

Great job there .It looks like a new Boat !!!

**89s1** · 08-07-2008, 08:22 AM

Great job, did you need to remove any of the metal snaps or just work the polisher around them?

**Greg Nichols** · 08-07-2008, 12:49 PM

I just worked around hardware, I did tape off the rubber bumpers. Most people just don`t want that kind of job done...........cost too much for them.

**AndyA6** · 11-11-2008, 01:59 PM

Hello Utah!

Great job, amazing how people let their nice stuff go bad....!

**Greg Nichols** · 12-31-2008, 03:23 PM

^^^^^

Hello there Andy, glad to see others in Utah here.

This boat was bought by the owner I worked for, the orginal owner did just let it go.......but he is a millionaire and just buys a new boat when he wants and sells the other for cheap.