cleaning hull... help fast!!!

[Tom Bare]

Hey guys, what's the best way to clean a long neglected hull? Simple compound and wax? Are there products out there that work better than others? I gotta' guy with a buffing machine in his hands waiting for instruction! Want to get him started before he realizes what he's in for and changes his mind!

Thanks,
Tom Bare.

[Runco]

Wet sand with 600 or 800 and then polishing compound until no scratch marks. Then wax,wax,wax until like new!

[JohnB]

I used 3M marine rubbing compound for heavily oxidized fiberglass, then used 3M wax/restorer. If you are using a machine, kept the surface wet with compound so you dont burn it. Then I used wax.

[squidrig]

Try FSR...the stuff is incredible. West Marine carries it.

[Matt1121]

Tom-

I use a water-downed version of 3M fiberglass rubbing compound . Try that first and be sure to keep the buffing pad wet with the product. Once you're done with the compound, follow-up with Starbright's Teflon marine polish ( you'll need to put on 2 coats about a week or two apart). Stuff is expensive $20, but is well worth it..I use it on my truck too.

If that doesn't work, break out the really fine wetsand paper that someone else mentioned previously. Be ready to sand until your arm falls off.

[Matt1121]

Tom-

I use a water-downed version of 3M fiberglass rubbing compound . Try that first and be sure to keep the buffing pad wet with the product. Once you're done with the compound, follow-up with Starbright's Teflon marine polish ( you'll need to put on 2 coats about a week or two apart). Stuff is expensive $20, but is well worth it..I use it on my truck too.

If that doesn't work, break out the really fine wetsand paper that someone else mentioned previously. Be ready to sand until your arm falls off.

[Matt1121]

Tom-

I use a water-downed version of 3M fiberglass rubbing compound . Try that first and be sure to keep the buffing pad wet with the product. Once you're done with the compound, follow-up with Starbright's Teflon marine polish ( you'll need to put on 2 coats about a week or two apart). Stuff is expensive $20, but is well worth it..I use it on my truck too.

If that doesn't work, break out the really fine wetsand paper that someone else mentioned previously. Be ready to sand until your arm falls off.

[Finster]

Originally posted by Tom Bare:
Hey guys, what's the best way to clean a long neglected hull? Simple compound and wax? Are there products out there that work better than others? I gotta' guy with a buffing machine in his hands waiting for instruction! Want to get him started before he realizes what he's in for and changes his mind!

Thanks,
Tom Bare.

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[ November 20, 2002, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: Finster ]

[Finster]

This stuff by Marykate called on/off works great. It's basicly acid but it works wonders on just about any stain there is, including rust and it doesn't hurt the gelcoat. One thing you have to watch is getting it on yourself and it's not good to get it on a galvinized trailer either, it tends to take away the galvinize.
I use it full strengh straight out of the bottle.

[Tom Bare]

Thanks guys,

I ended up getting him a can of Turtle Wax [no 3M available] rubbing compound, a can of polishing compound, and a can of MaGuires wax.

He has a lot of time and energy so if it doesn't work I'll try some other ideas.

Thanks!!
Tom Bare.