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oldragbaggers · 26-08-2014, 14:41

We are working on trying to bring back a Cape Dory 33 that has been sitting on the hard ignored (absentee out-of-state owner) for over six years. She was in rough shape all over. The gelcoat was badly oxidized, marred, and streaked with stains. We really thought we were probably going to have to paint her. But we decided to give compounding and waxing a try. First we had to remove the stains with muriatic acid. Hard as we tried, nothing else worked. Then we got two of Jamestown Distributor's Total Boat Polishing Kits. We went through both kits, washing, compounding (twice) and waxing (2 coats). It was okay but we really just weren't satisfied, despite the fact that neither of us could hardly lift our arms. Then Lance read on the internet about Collinite wax. He decided to give it a try and after one coat of the 925 liquid wax (with a buffer) the results are astounding. This 32 year old hull looks amazing. We're probably late to the party and everyone else probably already knows about this, but I just thought I would post it in case there is someone else who has been living under a rock, as we apparently have.

Now if we can just get the wood to come out this good......

**Coops** · 26-08-2014, 14:55

The wood is easy. Just paint it with a top class paint and then use the same wax on it.

PS. Nice to see you again.

Coops.

44'cruisingcat · 26-08-2014, 14:56

It does look great, well done. I'd be interested to know how long it lasts.

**weavis** · 26-08-2014, 15:02

ooh.
Great job!
Nice find.

**a64pilot** · 26-08-2014, 15:02

I've used Collonite for years, but the paste version. I get about six months out of it, if you wait too long it's a lot of work, waxing it again before it needs it is easy in comparison.
One can goes a long way too

Matt Johnson · 26-08-2014, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

It does look great, well done. I'd be interested to know how long it lasts.

About 9 months in the tropics if you use a non-aggressive soap.... and not often. We use Awlcare even with our gelcoat.

Matt

oldragbaggers · 26-08-2014, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coops

The wood is easy. Just paint it with a top class paint and then use the same wax on it.

PS. Nice to see you again.

Coops.

Coop, I think that's the way to go and I suggested as much to my husband, but I could tell by the look on his face that one more mention of that would likely get me keel-hauled. That will just never do. It's a Cape Dory thing.

**Coops** · 26-08-2014, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldragbaggers

Coop, I think that's the way to go and I suggested as much to my husband, but I could tell by the look on his face that one more mention of that would likely get me keel-hauled. That will just never do. It's a Cape Dory thing.

That's cool. Simply rig up the hammock and watch him doing it, saying helpful stuff like "missed a bit" and " you would not have to be doing that if you had listened to me"

Coops.

44'cruisingcat · 26-08-2014, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by funjohnson

About 9 months in the tropics if you use a non-aggressive soap.... and not often. We use Awlcare even with our gelcoat.

Matt

Thanks for that. There's no problem about the "non aggressive soap" - how about NO soap? And no problem with the "not often" part either...

Matt Johnson · 26-08-2014, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Thanks for that. There's no problem about the "non aggressive soap" - how about NO soap? And no problem with the "not often" part either...

Yup. It's our first time in a marina in over a year. I only wash the boat when it is raining like crazy (everyone looks at you funny), but water is free in Horta! I've been going nuts cleaning everything from top to bottom with the unlimited supply.

socaldmax · 26-08-2014, 16:06

I've heard of Collinite before, just can't remember where.

On an RV forum, there was a thread on restoring RV gelcoat trailers, especially heavily oxidized ones. Their recommendation was to use a scrubbie with Bar keeper's Friend, a mildly abrasive powder similar to Comet but less abrasive, followed by 3 coats of Zep floor wax. It's very thin, so they just wiped it on with a microfiber towel, waited 30 min. then repeat.

The end result was very shiny, with very little effort. I have no idea how durable it is, especially in a marine environment.

Stu Jackson · 26-08-2014, 16:27

Collinnite is great stuff and is part of Maine Sail's Great Buff & Wax tutorial, all over the 'net.

You can come out from under your rock now.

Great work, looks superb.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 26-08-2014, 17:08

Looks good.

I'm working on bringing my 33 yr old hull back. PO had it stored for a while before I got it and in the two years in my care, it hasn't seen compound/wax. I'm almost done with compounding to start on wax.

I read good things about Collinite and got the paste type. I'm looking forward to seeing more reflection coming off the hull. So far, I've been doing everything by hand because my boat has a lapstrake type hull and so far it's looking much better.

You have a nice looking Cape Dory.