Getting rid of the funk - oxidation removal.

[TooCoys]

It’s been about 4 years since our boat was compounded. I’ve watched some videos online, did an appropriate amount of research and decided to do it myself. We have what I would say is medium oxidation.

I started by testing a spot on our transom where the old vinyl name used to be. I wet sanded with 320, kept it moving, on minimum speed, and only did two passes, up/down and left/right.

After that I used a polisher on medium speed and hit it with some 3M medium cut plus wax, again up/down and left/right.

I’m still not quite getting the shine I expected. So I have a few questions.

1.) how many times can you go over it with the same product?
2.) should I switch to a light cut after the medium cut compound? And then a pure wax after that?
3.) is 320 too aggressive of a grit?

You can still see the remainder of the word “final” but it’s much better than it was.

[goboatingnow]

Looks nice to me. I stop when I can read the time on my watch in the reflection

[GreenWave]

I agree with previous post. This looks very good. Maybe next time you do a two cut process. 320 grit sounds like too much though.

[George_SD]

I don't know why, but vinyl stickers end up leaving a raised surface after they are removed. On my boat I had to sand the area down with a flat block in order to bring it to the same flat level. Still have one more side to do.

Incidentally, I also just got a rotary polisher and tried my hand at it yesterday. It is more complicated process than it looks. There is just the right balance of amount of paste on the pad - not enough and you are causing new problems, too much and it's flying everywhere plus cutting too much.

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by George_SD

Incidentally, I also just got a rotary polisher and tried my hand at it yesterday. It is more complicated process than it looks.

TRUE STORY!!! It's not just a "pull the trigger and polish" kind of process. That polisher takes some getting use to.

I also learned that the wool polishing pads from harbor freight aren't worth the plastic they're packaged in. Here's a photo of me after all of the wool that came flying off the pad:

[Jdeuel]

320 sounds awfully aggressive. The heaviest i go, ever, is 800 and even then do it wet. I follow up with Presta Super Cut compound, then Presta Ultra Cutting Creme.

[caffel]

Suggest trying one of the newer 'ceramic' car polishes at the last step.

[tarian]

Wax with carnauba wax and polish off for the shine

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by George_SD

I don't know why, but vinyl stickers end up leaving a raised surface after they are removed.

The longer the vinyl sticker remains the more pronounced the raising the image after the sticker is removed. Every time you compound the boat (even if it is just cleaner and wax) you remove the chalky surface layer of gelcoat. The vinyl lettering protects that portion of gelcoat. Everything around is slowly being removed over time.

The lettering isn't technically raised. Everything around it has been slowly lowered.

[mcneilms]

I have the same problem. I started with 500 and then 1000 wet sanding. There is still a halo of the other name in the gelcoat.
I haven't tried this yet, but I read:
Mix oxicilic acid powder (from amazon) with wall paper paste and apply to surface for about 15 min.
The Oxiclic acid bleaches the area and the paste holds it in place.
Sounds plausible, but I haven't tried yet.

All I know is wet sanding alone will not remove the remaining halo.

Just my 2 cents.

[Cadence]

It's a shame Vista stopped making their wax with compound for some blue crap.
I'd use a light compound and then a wax.

Good luck with where the lettering were UV has taken it's toll on all but under them.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Looks nice to me. I stop when I can read the time on my watch in the reflection

Bwah-ha-HA!

Good one, GBN!
LittleWing77

[sophiedaisey]

Would refer you to Maine Sail in Sailboatowners.com. He has a lengthy description of how to restore the gelcoat on older boats. I religiously followed his instructions, used the equipment and supplies he cited. The result on a then 28yo boat was unbelievable. The boat shined brighter than new boats around. It is not a quick chore by any means, but the result was worth it.

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by sophiedaisey

Would refer you to Maine Sail in Sailboatowners.com. He has a lengthy description of how to restore the gelcoat on older boats. I religiously followed his instructions, used the equipment and supplies he cited. The result on a then 28yo boat was unbelievable. The boat shined brighter than new boats around. It is not a quick chore by any means, but the result was worth it.

Do you have a link to the thread?

[RustyMiller]

I think that this might be the link: https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th...ff-wax.117266/