Dark Blue Hull Yachts?

[shineit]

Has anyone got experience with detailing blue hulls? I live in florida and the sun realy causes issues with chalking etc. Some of the boats I have done have been a couple of years between waxs and they have been nasty.I have had some success with compounding the hulls several times and then applying wax, but theres almost always a haze underneath which shows up in the direct sunlight. I just received a G-100 and was wondering if anyone has had success with it on boats?

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Dark Blue Hull Yachts?

Originally posted by shineit
Has anyone got experience with detailing blue hulls?

I have had some success with compounding the hulls several times and then applying wax, but theres almost always a haze underneath which shows up in the direct sunlight.

The darker the fiberglass, the more quickly an oxidation problem may begin to appear.

FIBERGLASS GEL COAT
The outer skin of a fiberglass boat is called the gel coat. In most cases it’s a very thin layer of high quality resin pigment that gives the boat its color. The gel coat helps to protect the layers of fiberglass beneath the surface. From the standpoint of appearance, it’s the most important part of the entire laminate. If not properly maintained, most gel coat will lose its color and gloss over time. The darker the color of the gelcoat, the more quickly an oxidation problem may begin to appear.

Discoloration or oxidation of the gel coat does not structurally harm a boat. However, proper maintenance does help protect the fiberglass and improve resale value. The best method of maintaining the gel coat’s finish is to wash the boat and apply a good coat of quality wax. This should be done at least once or twice each season. A coat of quality boat wax will help protect the surface and maintain the shine.

For older boats that have a white chalky oxidation problem, it is alomost always necessary to use a boat cleaner polish first. If a cleaner polish does not remove the oxidation, then a slightly more abrasive product, such as a heavy-duty color restorer, may be needed. Removing oxidation from a boat’s gel coat is not a simple job, especially if the oxidation is allowed to build up over several years.

The best method of maintaining the showroom shine of a boat is to wash it regularly and to wax the surface at least once or twice each season. The wax on the surface of the boat provides a protective layer, lubricates the gel coat and keeps the surface smooth.

OXIDATION PROBLEMS
For boats that have a white chalky oxidation problem, it is almost always necessary to use a boat cleaner, such as:

1- Meguiar’s #50 Professional Cleaner Wax is formulated to clean, polish and protect with one easy application.

2- Meguiar’s #45 Professional Boat Polish is effective at restoring the original depth and beauty of dark colors.

3- Meguiar’s #44 Professional Color Restorer is formulated to polish-out mild surface oxidation, fine scratches and water spots.

4- Meguiar’s #49 Professional Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover is formulated to help polish-out extreme surface oxidation and other significant surface defects.

Removing extreme oxidation from a boat’s gel coat is not a simple job, especially if the oxidation is allowed to build up over several years. It is not uncommon to use many of the products capable of removing oxidation only to see, that within a few weeks, the haze of oxidation begin to return. That's because the oxidation is coming from within the depth of the gelcoat. It's just not a surface problem.

Once an older boat has an extreme oxidation problem there is really not much that can be done to eliminate the problem for any substantial length of time. Cleaning, polishing and waxing will temporarily make the boat look better. However the results will in most cases be short lived. The key is proper maintenance from the beginning. From when the boat is new. That's the key.

[shineit]

Frank thankyou much for the reply I appreciate the info. i have discoverd that if you start with a (1) heavy duty compound, (2)color restorer, (3) a quality polish, (4) a cleaner wax #50, (5) and a insulator wax the job should keep looking at least decent for 4-5 months.Thats with completely washing it down, at least monthly. I tell people the boat should be waxed every 4-6 months as a routine maintainence procedure. If the topside is in the sun down here every 4 months its going to need to be compounded and waxed to stay in any shape at all!
I have been utilizing a rotary buffer, but am looking forward to trying the G-100 although I think I will try it on my truck first!