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Supplies:
Process:
The gelcoat on my boat is overall in pretty good condition but needed some love to bring back the original shine and remove scuffs. The stern had lots of scuffs from the previous owner’s friends not paying attention when putting their wakeboards on the platform. I wanted to clean it up as much as possible. I used the same DA Polisher tool that I discuss in my Detailing – Vinyl thread.
Before:
During:
After:
Side by Side (Right side of the “U” was after a pass or two of “cut”)
Notes: Pictures above are all pre-wax. For the rear deck, I used a compound on an Orange cutting pad and then finished with a White Polishing pad so I essentially did the above steps (#4-8) 3 times (two “cuts” and one “polish”). On the side since I didn’t have the damage to correct, the White polishing pad (one time) was enough to remove water-spots and bring back the deep blue.
- Harbor Freight 6” DA Polisher (#69924)
- 6" Foam Cutting pad (Chemical Guys)
- 6" Foam Polish pad (Chemical Guys)
- Compound/Polish (3M Marine Color/Gloss Restorer)
- Micro-fiber Towels
- Wax
Process:
The gelcoat on my boat is overall in pretty good condition but needed some love to bring back the original shine and remove scuffs. The stern had lots of scuffs from the previous owner’s friends not paying attention when putting their wakeboards on the platform. I wanted to clean it up as much as possible. I used the same DA Polisher tool that I discuss in my Detailing – Vinyl thread.
- I gave the boat a good wash to get the gelcoat as clean as possible.
- I worked in approx. 2x2’ areas. Some areas needed multiple passes to get the desired results.
- Start with the least aggressive combo. You can always get more aggressive.
- Apply 4 dime drops to pad.
- Press pad onto surface to spread compound/polish.
- On speed setting 1, quickly spread compound/polish on working area.
- Move speed up to 5/6 and slowly move in a cross-hatch pattern. (Up/Down then Left/Right).
- Wipe product off and review.
- Repeat as appropriate.
- Follow-up with wax to protect surface.
Before:
During:
After:
Side by Side (Right side of the “U” was after a pass or two of “cut”)
Notes: Pictures above are all pre-wax. For the rear deck, I used a compound on an Orange cutting pad and then finished with a White Polishing pad so I essentially did the above steps (#4-8) 3 times (two “cuts” and one “polish”). On the side since I didn’t have the damage to correct, the White polishing pad (one time) was enough to remove water-spots and bring back the deep blue.
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