Polishing the hull

[Old Forum]

Vipula De Silva
Username: Vipula_de_silva

Registered: 07-2011
   
Posted on Monday, August 15, 2011 - 11:37 pm:      
Hello all

Just about to pick up our boat from the brokerage. The hull is a little faded and I was planning to try polishing the green GRP.

I guess this is the sort of thing that I'd use T-cut for if it was a car. Can anyone recommend a suitable equivalent for boats?

Many thanks

Vip

[Old Forum]

Martin_cartwright
Username: Martin_cartwright

Registered: 04-2008
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 02:03 pm:      
Once a year I use the '3M Marine' products with an electric polisher. I never had much luck doing it by hand.
It is probsably worth doing, but the results are far from permanent if the boat is exposed to sunlight all season. I usually put a wax coat on afterwards if I have the time/patience.

[Old Forum]

George Billington
Username: George_billington

Registered: 12-2009
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 09:06 pm:      
Douglas Patterson was looking for advice earlier this year about a refurbishment. If you need to redo the paint, assuming the polishing does not work, I listed my experiences in the previous Topic - Major Refurb - there may be some useful ideas there - or maybe not!

[Old Forum]

Phil Shimmin
Username: Philshimmin

Registered: 11-2010
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 09:17 pm:      
I used Tcut, but not too harshly, on Wigeon. finishing with a couple of applications of car wax polish. I touched up the scratches after the cutting, before polishing. Looks ok to me!

[Old Forum]

Vipula De Silva
Username: Vipula_de_silva

Registered: 07-2011
   
Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2011 - 07:38 am:      
Thanks for the information gents. One electric polisher added to shopping list.

Vip

[Old Forum]

David Cawston
Username: David_cawston

Registered: 03-2007
   
Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2011 - 06:04 pm:      
Don't waste your money on an orbital polisher (the type with handles on either side of the polisher). Get a rotary polisher like this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-264569-Sander-Polisher/dp/B002QS1LZ2/ref=sr_1 _2?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1313945952&sr=1-2 with some additional polishing foams and lots of T cut. And be prepared to get very mucky, the stuff goes everywhere.

[Old Forum]

Vipula De Silva
Username: Vipula_de_silva

Registered: 07-2011
   
Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2011 - 09:59 pm:      
Thanks David - that certainly looks like it's up to the job.

Vip

[Old Forum]

George Billington
Username: George_billington

Registered: 12-2009
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 11:31 am:      
Hi Vip, David is right about that polisher - I used a similar type on a previous boat. However, I was advised to use a rubbing paste called Farecla G3. Apparently it is not as abrasive as T cut, and so there's less chance of stripping off the paint. You can buy it from any Motor Factors.

[Old Forum]

David Cawston
Username: David_cawston

Registered: 03-2007
   
Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 03:43 pm:      
Hi Vip, Assuming your hull is still the original green gel coat, you would never get through the gel coat using T cut. I have even used much coarser rubbing compound before using T cut and it has not in effect made any difference to the thickness of the gel coat. Also the electric polisher, with rubbing compound, can be used on the bronze fittings to quickly and easily bring them up to a lovely shiny finish which you can then protect with something like Rylard's Incralac (even protects when in salt water). Just be careful to avoid 'polishing ' the woodwork as the electric polisher with T cut etc will strip/damage paint/stain on woodwork.