Do or Can I do more? Or is it what it is? (Oxidation removal and decal)

[Rockymtnsurfer]

You all have convinced me to go for it......Bought paper yesterday.........I will keep you posted! Any tips before I start are greatly appreciated!

[scottb7]

i sure hope all the people doing the sanding, buffing, etc...have tried straight up toilet bowl cleaner first. I have never had oxidation, water spots, etc that I could not get off with $1 store toilet bowl cleaner. Then afterwards just spray wax...

[Evening Shade]

i sure hope all the people doing the sanding, buffing, etc...have tried straight up toilet bowl cleaner first. I have never had oxidation, water spots, etc that I could not get off with $1 store toilet bowl cleaner. Then afterwards just spray wax...

I've never heard of using toilet bowl cleaner to remove oxidation. I can see how it would remove hard water spots, but don't know how it could remove oxidation.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Toilet bowl cleaner did not touch this....tried it twice and two different types........started wet sanding

[Infinity]

DW SD Good video. I have seen some others, but that one walked thru every step nicely.
My vinyl work starts next week and asked them to let me take the boat while they are putting the vinyl back on the cushions so I could clean up the interior under seats as well as do the exterior, just hoping I have enough time since this will obviously be a lengthy process. Cant wait to see the finished product tho!

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Good luck....boy this is nerve racking sanding my beautiful boat! I might end up having to keep this when I am done! Please post pics.

[Indygreen]

Sorry just now getting pics, unfortunately don't have really any good before/afters but it does shine now.

[shag]

I like this video that might give you some confidence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZexSavaT4tY
There are a million others - BTW.

I was freaked out about 5 months ago about color sanding on my new to me, but old 2008 Tundra. It turned out kick a$$. I removed a lot of very fine scratches and orange peel. According to the video, the gel coat is 7 X thicker than auto clear coat.
A random orbital, interestingly, is less aggressive than hand wet sanding with the same grit. I also use an interference pad (foam pad between hard sander surface and sand paper itself.
This truck really looks new, now, short of a few deep scratches.
I also am doing the same process, with slightly different polishes on my RV wheels.

YOU CAN DO IT! I saw your upholstery work :-) You must be very patient.

Doug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZexSavaT4tY

Have you tried mothers mag and aluminum polish on those RV wheels? I have polished many a fire truck wheel to a mirror shine with Mothers.

[scott resick]

Feldten Marine Nano Extract. You tube it. Works GREAT, no joke.

[DW SD]

Have you tried mothers mag and aluminum polish on those RV wheels? I have polished many a fire truck wheel to a mirror shine with Mothers.

I’m using a 10” polishing wheel on a large rotary polisher with 3 different grades of Tripoli compound by menzerna

My Alcoa wheels were bad with stone chips and needed to be sanded first with a palm sander.



How’s the project progress going for our thread host??




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[Rockymtnsurfer]

in pause mode for a day or two......have some sunshine and need to put a pad in before may......steel building comes for my new shop......I will be back at it in a few days

[Rockymtnsurfer]

WHOLY COW! PUMPED!............thats all I can say Sanded half the boat yesterday.......focused on the grey and white (black is in good shape) This is a process I would say. In fact.....debating other side. So I started with 1500........seemed to do fine until I wiped it down thoroughly and let it air dry. I noticed there was still oxidation showing through in areas......decided to do 1000. That helped and made a uniform area of marks. Went back again with 2000.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Used 3m heavy duty compound last night on half side..........and then 3m finesse on top of that half. I have to say.......maybe I am not even close to being done........but its not looking as nice as before I started (even though I knew the oxi was there) little worried.....so I quite and went to bed! I am going to re-evaluate it today in natural light. Thoughts from anybody......I did try a little marine 31 polish wax on a area to see how much better.....not impressed. I have a feeling more elbow grease is required. USING: foam disc system .......3 step......also tried with straight wool. orbital porter cable

[Blamey]

Used 3m heavy duty compound last night on half side..........and then 3m finesse on top of that half. I have to say.......maybe I am not even close to being done........but its not looking as nice as before I started (even though I knew the oxi was there) little worried.....so I quite and went to bed! I am going to re-evaluate it today in natural light. Thoughts from anybody......I did try a little marine 31 polish wax on a area to see how much better.....not impressed. I have a feeling more elbow grease is required. USING: foam disc system .......3 step......also tried with straight wool. orbital porter cable

What foam discs are you using. Quality pads are important. You also need to be sure you are using the right pad for compound and polish.

Personally I just use the 3m wool pads. The white wool for super duty and yellow for the finesse it marine glaze.

After doing the 1000 sanding did you do a round if 1500? Going straight to 2000 is abut too much.


Also make sure that you have enough material and that the pad doesn't dry out while compounding or polishing.


A halogen light also helps to see things better.

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[Rockymtnsurfer]

Thanks Blamey.......using 3m system pads....(First Round) red heavy first with super compound......then went to black finish....with finesse. did 1000 1500 in most spots..then 2000. Using wool as my finish clean polish pad 3m.

(Second Round) Just got done doing the whole side again.......I have to say I am way more satisfied today. I don't think I used the heavy compound correctly yesterday or long enough....or enough product. Either way, I switch to the yellow medium pad and used a little more product, glasses!, and rubbed it in smaller areas for a longer period of time. Then came back and did the whole side with the finesse and black finish foam pad. Then wool over the whole coat. Came out a TON better....still see some scratches at certain angles.

QUESTION:

If this is done correctly.....should it look like a brand new coat of paint and clear coat with no scratches, swirls etc. at all?.....just solid color?

I feel for people who have done this before. More annoying on the body than the actual patience of the project. A small stool with wheels would be great!