04/05/2012 08:22:19 AM
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GoVols
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 08/08/2011
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Sorry if I'm asking a common question, but I tried the search function with no success, so here's my question:
What products do you suggest to clean and polish the fiberglass on your boat? My upper healm is badly oxidized and faded with nice spots of spider crap to add a bit of color. I was going to hit the Wal-Mart this afternoon, but wanted to know what you guys use / suggest.
I have a orbital buffer. Should I used this or do it by hand?
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16x66 Sailabration on Percy Priest Lake near Nashville.
Edited: 05/11/2012 at 06:19:10 AM by GoVols
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04/05/2012 12:06:38 PM
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Searover
Member
Posts: 35
Joined: 08/10/2011
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I woud use a 3M compound on a spinning buffer, then using the same buffer use a glaze, wipe it down and then put a coat of marine wax and be done for a year.
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04/05/2012 03:55:16 PM
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ShoreBound
Member
Posts: 79
Joined: 02/15/2011
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I agree with Searover. I use 3M products to polish my fiberglass houseboat and ski boat. Depending on how badly oxidized it is, you can start with an oxidation remover, follow with a polish (Like 3M Marine Finesse-It 2), then wax. If you use an oxidation remover, it leaves the surface open to more oxidation. Follow that with polish and wax soon after. I used Finesse-It on my old metalflake-finished ski boat. Took lots of elbow grease, but shined like I couldn't believe.
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04/09/2012 11:34:16 AM
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GoVols
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 08/08/2011
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While leaving the dock on Saturday, I noticed a boat cleaning services van next to me with a phone number on the side. I figured they were down there working on someone else's boat, so I called and asked them to take a looksie at mine and give me an estimate. They walked the boat and called me back with a quote for $1,300 (!!!!) to wash and wax it. O U C H!!
Guess I need to learn how to use a multi-speed buffer.
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16x66 Sailabration on Percy Priest Lake near Nashville.
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04/09/2012 03:04:31 PM
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Dan
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: 07/10/2008
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If they are actually going to wash, rub out ( as mentioned above with a 3M Product removing all the oxidation) then applying a good coat of wax.........IMHO, that's probably a pretty good price.
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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's
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04/16/2012 07:40:02 AM
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GoVols
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 08/08/2011
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It took me 9 hours to simply wash the boat yesterday. The thing has never looked as good for me as it does now. I'd bet it's been a while since it had a complete bath.
Anyway, there were 3 guys that were polishing & waxing my neighbor's boat Saturday. The guy came over and looked at mine and I'm working to get it quoted now. He owns & runs a mobile detailing company and has historically worked only on cars. As more of us houseboaters see him working at the marina, he's getting a lot of attention and RFQs, so he's looking to get more into boats now b/c I imagine there's more $$ to be made detailing boats than cars.
I'll let you guys know how it pans-out. I know he charged my neighbor only $800 + chemicals for his 82 X 18 Sharpe. He's done it several times and the boat owner is very picky about his boat.
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16x66 Sailabration on Percy Priest Lake near Nashville.
Edited: 04/16/2012 at 07:42:39 AM by GoVols
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04/16/2012 01:50:58 PM
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ShoreBound
Member
Posts: 79
Joined: 02/15/2011
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It's amazing how much oxidized fiberglass you can get off a boat with just water and a little elbow grease and a stiff brush. If you wash your boat in the water, watch for a large pool of milk-colored water around your boat. Your marina may frown on that.
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04/16/2012 09:17:22 PM
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EastTNBoater
Admiral
Posts: 226
Joined: 11/27/2002
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I spent about 4 hours on Saturday on my fly bridge with an electric buffer. I used Buff Magic at about 2,000 RPM on the buffer. It cut the oxidation and left a good shine. It is a little inconsistent, because I am not all that good with the buffer. You cannot do it by hand.
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04/18/2012 05:23:26 PM
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GoVols
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 08/08/2011
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Anyone ever used Collinite #920 or #925 on their fiberglass? Seems to have rave reviews from users. I'm leaning toward this stuff as apposed to Meguire's or 3M stuff.
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16x66 Sailabration on Percy Priest Lake near Nashville.
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05/11/2012 06:18:43 AM
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GoVols
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 08/08/2011
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Final tally for the complete buff, polish, wax job was $700 and included all materials.
Overall they did a pretty good job, but messed up one of my Coast Guard required decals that lists the port the boat's registered to. They told me to buy a new one and deduct the total from the job cost. Not too bad.
My 2nd complain is the fact that I had to practically babysit the guys working. It took them 4 days to do it the job on and off again, but that is likely due to them trying to shoe horm me into their schedule.
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16x66 Sailabration on Percy Priest Lake near Nashville.
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05/12/2012 07:59:07 AM
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Dan
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: 07/10/2008
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Sounds like you did very well!
As far as the "babysitting"............ Welcome to our new world!
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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's
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05/25/2012 12:51:16 PM
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42gibson
Member
Posts: 144
Joined: 11/19/2010
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i just paid 200$ to get the sides of my boat wheel buffed and waxed.this guy has a auto detail shop and did a good job.the flybridge is his next project,sometime next month.
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1991 gibson 44 executive
454's
norwich,ohio
docked on the good ole ohio river in marietta
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06/09/2012 01:58:46 PM
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.JPG)
Kartracer
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: 05/31/2012
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On my new to me boat I paid 1600.00 to have the complete outside compound, waxed and buffed, 45 ft. Looks like a new boat
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45 Blue Water
Houma, Louisiana
Mile Post 60 ICW
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06/09/2012 02:24:19 PM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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My boat's so old I don't even try; I just paint it every 5 years or so...
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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