Cut, buff, wax.

[Ky Grady]

You've got a pretty sweet setup yourself. I'd love to have that to park my boat at the house. Pretty excited to see the final outcome when he's done.

 

[FLWhaler]

The photos from the Sally rebuild Show I started with 1000 grit and moved to a 12 and 1500 depending on the area and severity. 3M finish It compound and polish. Doing pretty nice job but the labor part is killing me.

 

[seasick]

Have almost finished my 228. The hull I compounded using 7” and 3” dual action polishers. I used Gyeon Q2R Marine Polish Step 1 followed by Gyeon Q2R Marine Polish Step 2. If I did it again I would just use Step 1 the improvement with Step 2 was minimal with a light coloured hull. I wet sanded the gunnels, cabin etc. that were more badly oxidised. Oxidation will polish but not as well “fresh” gelcoat And you will get back the original Grady colour with wet sanding. I started with 800, then 1200, then 2000. Make sure you remove all sanding scratches left by the 800 grit with the 1200 or you will end up with a nice glossy gel coat but in the right light you see all these fine scratches. 2000 grit probably not needed as a heavy cut compound should remove scratches from 1200 grit. The gelcoat looks like new.
Hull stripes to go on then a ceramic coat.

If you had used a rotary buffer, not a RA and a good rubbing compound like Total Buff , 1,000 grit would not only have worked but would probably not be needed. a light 600, maybe 800 and then buffing.

 

[Halfhitch]

I have a 7" Dewalt polisher that works good for the large exterior sections but for the interior liner I would be curious to know what is a good choice for small areas. The big 7" is not good for those tight areas and my hands start cramping after awhile. What's your favorite?

 

[seasick]

Agree. The 7 inch is best for larger flat areas. I suppose one could use a variable speed drill with a pad attachment but you need to watch the speed. Sometimes the only approach is the by hand method and in that case, finer grits of wet/dry paper will be needed to remove fine scratches, followed by a polish and wax.
I just searched and found a few options that might work.
Here is one example

https://www.amazon.com/Kshineni-Buffing-Polishing-Polisher-Sealing/dp/B08LSN8MT8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&hvadid=78065378501130&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=polishing+pads&qid=1613403032&sr=8-5&tag=mh0b-20

 

[Blaugrana]

I have a 7" Dewalt polisher that works good for the large exterior sections but for the interior liner I would be curious to know what is a good choice for small areas. The big 7" is not good for those tight areas and my hands start cramping after awhile. What's your favorite?

I had the same concerns. Was going to try one of those longer rectangular hand pads from Chemical Guys. Are you using the circular ones?

 

[glacierbaze]

This guy gives very detailed instructions, product info, equipment info. Enough to make me realize that this is something that I don't want to do myself. What is deceptive, becasue the video is sped up, is how fast, or slow, that he moves the buffers. At some point, either in this vid or another, he shows how fast to move in real time, and it is surprisingly slow, after watching the sped up version.
Also shows a 2 inch machine for tight spaces.

edit:3/24 I guess I left out the link. This guy.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drake+detaailing

 

[Ky Grady]

Just received these today. I think it turned out great from what I see. Won't put eyes on it for a week or two till I can get down to SC and bring it home.

 

[Ky Grady]

A couple more,,,

 

[Lucky13]

A couple more,,,

View attachment 19542View attachment 19543

that looks amazing worth every penny.

 

[SoLucky]

Wow, what an incredible result. I'm having mine compounded and polished in 3 weeks... I'll be ecstatic if it comes out 1/2 as good as yours!

 

[SkunkBoat]

I am embarassed too many projects this spring. I will have to step it up with the shine next year

 

[Joe Hurley]

Wow! All that for 2k?

 

[Ky Grady]

Actually cost me $1K,,,, had some scheduling issues as well as another thing or two come up. Didn't collect the second $1K.

 

[glacierbaze]

Confused. Was the regular price $2k, and he gave you a discount for something else? I would pull my boat to SC for that job for $1K.

 

[trapper]

WOW KY!!! Did not know you could get that kind of shine on fibreglass. Even bran- spanking new boats do not look that good. Now I am embarrassed to drag mine out of its kennel into the light.

 

[Ky Grady]

Confused. Was the regular price $2k, and he gave you a discount for something else? I would pull my boat to SC for that job for $1K.

Long story that is really not finished yet Glacier.

Preliminary pictures don't show the real picture. Making a run down this weekend to look at it. I have it at my fiberglass guy that is going to fix the issues that the buff and wax guy created. Not good from what I've been told. I paid $1K upfront, with second $1K upon completion. It's completed but he won't be receiving the final $1000. It'll probably cost that much to fix his screw ups. Premature happiness on my boat being done was just that, premature.

I have been told by my fiberglass guy that once all the issues are fixed, I will have a very nice and shiny boat that will look great. So there's that.

 

[glacierbaze]

Thanks. No need to post any references. Sorry for your misfortune.

 

[Byram]

Ky, What did the detail individual actually do damage wise ? Burn the gelcoat ?

 

[Keeldad]

KY, Sorry to hear something went that wrong. I had jumped on the thread at work to again admire how good she was looking and be inspired as another owner of a somewhat aged Seafarer and how good they can look given enough proper care (and cash). To hear it went south really bothered me and I was thinking about it on the ride home. Like Byram asked, burned gelcoat?