Using 105/205 on a boat gel-coat?

[JCarter]

Is this ok? I have been requested to do a full detail on a waterski boat...but I know the finish on those is a gel-coat instead of a normal clear that is found on cars. I think I can get by with just 205 on this particular boat, but just wanted to make sure it was safe to use on a finish like this first as Im not too familiar with cleaning boats. Thanks for any advice!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Using 105/205 on a boat gel-coat?

Meguiar's recommends sticking with the Marine Line of product when working on Marine and other water craft.

If you want to try non-marine product on a boat then just be sure to do a Test Spot first and make sure you're getting the results you're looking for and your customer expects before going over the entire boat.

Dial-in a process, that's pads, chemicals and how you apply them), and make sure you're getting the results you want before going over the entire boat.


TEST SPOT

Doing A Test-Spot

Before going over the entire car, see if you can make just one small section look good, that is apply the product you're planning on using over the entire car to just one small section about a foot squared or so. Work it in and then wipe it off, then apply the polish, work it in but not as much as the compound because now you're not trying to remove paint, just spread the product out, then immediately wipe it off, then apply the wax and let it fully dry and then wipe it off.

Now inspect our results. Make sure you can make one small section look GREAT before going over then entire car. If you can't make one small section look GREAT you won't be able to make the entire car look GREAT.

Make sense?

It should look like this,




And if you're having any problems, the post back here after the test section and we'll help you tweak your technique to insure you get it right.

[JCarter]

Re: Using 105/205 on a boat gel-coat?

Thanks Mike. I do plan on a test spot, and I will be using a Marine wax/sealant. I just want to try and get by without having to buy new polishing compounds and just wanted to see if they were safe first.