MacGregorSailors.com

What is the best way to restore the shiny finish to the black parts? Mine are dull

We had our 2002 stripes repainted with an automotive grade paint by a local boat detailing shop. It's blacker and shinier than new.

Was hoping to just wax it with a miracle potion or something.

Last year I used Scotchgard Marine Liquid Wax for the whole boat. I applied it with a rotary buffer. I first used 3M Marine Color/Gloss Restorer, and then the wax.

Just remember, if what you are talking about are the stripes by the windows (stripe if it's an X), when you make it shiny again by waxing it, you also make it slippery! Part of the stripe(s) is the forward deck.


Ray

Ray, How did the Scotchguard wax hold up?
Did it last an entire season (6 Months)? Would you recomend it?
Or does anyone know of a wax you can get an entire season out of?

I'm sure Erik won't mine me posting on his behalf (in case he misses this thread)....here's his discussion of NewGlass2. Hopefully he'll get a chance to chime in.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... t=newglass

and link to his website...

http://www.always-online.com/hardtlefam ... tshore.htm
(click the 'gallery' tab)

His results are fantastic IMO.

~Bob

I hope the original poster of what I am going to comment on chimes in.

I read through posts a while back and watched the video they offer on the site for this product. The folks here say it makes the boat look better than new. I was sold. Now for the reason I decided to make a mental note not to use it after more reading. In time and I forget how long, the product will yellow, I read. The second problem was removing it because it is a polymer. Again I am just mentioning this from recall but I sure wouldn't want what could be a real headache later.

Gary

My X black gelcoat around the windows was never very thick. In about three years of just plain waxings it had turned greyish and the white gelcoat under neath began showing. I left it alone after that so it would not show the wear as much.

When I get around to doing something about it, I will paint the window surrounds and stripes using Interlux one part Polyurethane Boot Stripe and Waterline paint. It leaves a very very shiny, very very smooth finish and is quite tough. Easy to apply with spray or foam brush, easy to wax and keep the color. Put on as many coats as you want , and redo it with ease. And if you are in the mood, there many other colors to chosse from than black.

I used it on previous boats with great success and have used it in my galley mod for a new surround to the undercounter cabinets.

Matt,

It held up fine. I will use it again, if for no other reason than there is still more left in the bottles. I don't believe there is anything that will hold up for the entire season without showing some dulling.

Gary said:

I hope the original poster of what I am going to comment on chimes in.

I read through posts a while back and watched the video they offer on the site for this product. The folks here say it makes the boat look better than new. I was sold. Now for the reason I decided to make a mental note not to use it after more reading. In time and I forget how long, the product will yellow, I read. The second problem was removing it because it is a polymer. Again I am just mentioning this from recall but I sure wouldn't want what could be a real headache later.

You did not say which of the products you were referring to?

Night Sailor said:

In about three years of just plain waxings it had turned greyish and the white gelcoat under neath began showing

Are you certain that you were not using a product that was a combination of compound and wax? There will be some of the top layer of paint that is removed because of oxidation, but down to the gelcoat sounds too severe. Kevin has more experience than I(and he may chime in?), but I don't think plain old wax should do that?


Ray

Two months ago I decided that before attempting to 'bring back the black', I would remove all of 4 years of old wax build-up. I picked up a bottle of clear ammonia from our local dollar store, mixed it per the instructions for wax removal and did every surface on the boat.

I went back to my favourite 'Turtle Wax' from Wally-Mart and hey-presto!! The Black is Back as good as ever.

That's my 2 cents.............

Poliprep & poliglow do a great job

J

It's great stuff and easy to apply. Poly prep. will get rid of the wax and oxidation and will also remove polyglow. Touchup is easy , just wipe polyglow with a shammi they supply.
I live in SW FL. were the sun beats your finish up.
I am useing it on fiberglass slides in a waterpark that has never been maintained for 17 years, the pinkish slides are now heavy white oxidation and baked on. I am sanding it off with 100 grit than poly-prep and 5 coats of polyglow.
I will also recommend West marine Premium Boat polish with PTEF if your gel-coat is not that bad (lightly ozidized.
after takeing off the old wax put two coats of this polish (one week apart,no more than 30 days apart) it penetrates the gel-coat and non-skid (yes use it on the non skid, not slippery).
Last 6 mo. down here and just add another coat when needed.
I tried everything on the market past 40 yrs and above works best.
Dave

Ray,

The post from Sloop John B "The New Glass is sticky and sort of permanent. Hard to get off when it yellows. " After the following posts it seems others highly recommend the product. I guess I will look for someone that has had the product on for a long time and see their recommendation- Newglass or Poly before making my final dicision.

Gary

im a fan of a good 'cleaner wax' and a polisher. makes quick work, gives a great result. I used 3m heavy duty cleaner/wax, worked well, but the shine didnt last. I went to Colinite 870 cleaner wax this past season, came out great as well, and lasted the entire season.

I would say to either use a compound then wax or a cleaner wax to get it back to looking good. the machine polisher (I use a porter cable DA machine) is key. You can't get the same results by hand.

Gary,

The original post was about the black areas. I don't think yellowing is a problem on black areas. White areas, yes, but black, no!

The sticky issue bothers me. Sticky means dirt catcher. Maybe the product was applied to liberally, I am only guessing.

The black areas are paint. I believe that any good car wax would work on the black areas. Cars in Florida are just as much in the sun as boats down there. The car dealers down there seem to do fine. Besides, you're in north Jersey! Now, on the other hand, Rocketman is in Georgia. I believe simple car wax would work for him also. Again, on the black areas. If those areas dull during the season, do them again How long could it take to do black stripes We are not talking about the whole boat, just the stripes

When I said:

Last year I used Scotchgard Marine Liquid Wax for the whole boat. I applied it with a rotary buffer. I first used 3M Marine Color/Gloss Restorer, and then the wax.

I should have added that if I thought those pretty black stripes were getting a little dull when into the season, I'd go over them with Turtle Wax They didn't. I have to confess, that I wasn't looking either. The more time you spend on cosmetics, the less time for sailing


Ray

P.S. I use a Craftsman 10" buffer/polisher. Model 10723