Craig, John, and Bob, Thanks for the help. I'm going to try the Penetrol, although first I have to remove the oxidation. I found this supplier for AquaBuff 2000 on sale for $10.95 a pound. It's regularly $14.95. http://www.aqua-buff.com/ (this was a link from Bob's link) The Aqua Buff 2000 appears to be more difficult to use comparing their instructions and trouble shooting to John's recommendation for the 3M Restorer and Wax ($11.39 plus $3.00 ORMD fee at Defender). Seems like the Penetrol would remove the wax in the 3M product whereas the Aqua Buff doesn't have wax. Rick Langer
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:00:05 -0500 From: "Craig F. Honshell" <chonshell@ia4u.net> Subject: M_Boats: hi, rick . . . To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <001801c50342$5fe5fcc0$5941b3cf@D89X0M51> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I am by no means the expert on this, so I hope others will weigh in . . . But I'll repeat what I know, and hopefully get it right . . .
Rubbing compound is a mild abrasive suspended in a paste, a paste much like liquid wax for a car, and is a safe way to take the oxidation out of gelcoat . . . It comes in degrees of abrasiveness and is available at marine outlets . . . It can be applied with an orbital polisher, but one should take care not to use too much pressure and "burn" the gelcoat, which I believe will yellow when damaged by heat.
Penetrol, and I'm not sure of the spelling, is a paint additive . . . I think for enamel paint . . . I believe it's a solvent, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong . . . I believe it is available as "Marine Penetrol", but I've used the stuff available at any hardware store . . . It is applied, left very briefly, and wiped off, leaving a rich shine in the gelcoat . . . It's most impressive use I've seen is Larry Yake's yellow-hulled M17, Tullamore . . .
Vertglass was one brand of miracle fiberglass restorer . . . I don't know if it's available anymore . . . Poliglow is another brand, one, I believe, that received high marks from Practical Sailor magazine. I'm not sure what the miracle restorers do, if they're like rubbing compound and wax in one or what, but Poliglow would basically used to preserve the gelcoat's finish, like wax . . . I think . . . Please correct me if I'm wrong . . . I believe these miracle restorers tout that they can be used on oxidized gelcoat, skip the rubbing compound, and produce good results, but we had much better success with Vertglass after using rubbing compound first . . .
These are three steps I'm considering, but there's more than one way to skin this cat, and West Marine sells complete kits for gelcoat care . . . I think Star Bright caries a variation of every gelcoat, metal and wood preservative/restorer conceivable . . .
All the products make magnificent claims . . .
But I saw pics of Tod's Busca after the Poliglow, don't know what steps he used before, and it was very impressive . . .
----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Langer To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 9:54 AM Subject: i was thinkin' . . . too
Craig,
My blue hull is oxidized too and I'd like to bring it back. I have a 9" compounder and a Cyclo random orbital polisher which I've used to polish a vintage Airstream trailer. I'm guessing that polishing fiberglass is a lot easier than aluminum, but I'm a bit confused i.e. rubbing compound, Penetrol(?), Poliglow, Vertglass.
I wonder if you could give us a brief tutorial on bringing back and keeping the shine on our boats?
BTW, my boat has repaired gouges, but the color match is so bad that I wish they were left alone. I went through a similar thing when polishing my Airstream. The experts advised me to leave the gouges and large scratches alone and just polish them, kind of adds character. I think they were right.
Thanks, Rick Langer M15 #337
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 23:29:50 -0500 From: "Craig F. Honshell" <chonshell@ia4u.net> Subject: M_Boats: i was thinkin' . . . To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <009401c50296$8349d0d0$3241b3cf@D89X0M51> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
. . . this spring that I'd like to buff out my hull's oxidation, then go over it completely with Penetrol, then finish it with Poliglow or comparable miracle restorative . . . I think we used "Vertglass", something like that, on the Flicka one year . . . Don't know if that stuff is still available . . .
I have gouges in my shear stripe that aren't going to go away without major restoration, but perhaps I can draw the eye away from them with a really shiny hull . . . :-)
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Message: 3 Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 21:10:17 EST From: JazzYachts@aol.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: The Gelcoat Miracle To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Message-ID: <1e3.33b4141e.2f285609@aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I can safely plug this product, because CLC does NOT sell it, nor have I any financial stake in it:
3M #9006 Marine Restorer and Wax
_http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?UUUUUUC04ehUnx7UGx7UUUAjNe Xt
tttS_
(http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?UUUUUUC04ehUnx7UGx7UUUAjNe XttttS) -
This is a moderately aggressive paste wax that is exceptionally easy to
use
but brings back a deep gloss quickly. Seems like the best of all worlds. One of the helpful attributes is that you don't have to wait for the wax to dry before you start buffing; slobber it on and buff it off as quickly as you put it on. Preferably with a powered buffing pad. (A 3M pad on a drill motor will be more than sufficient.)
I have brought back to life the chalkiest gelcoats with this stuff. I've also passed it on to many friends who have reported instant success. 1970's chalky gelcoat to nearly-new gloss in a couple of hours.
Cheers, John C. Harris
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Message: 4 Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 19:41:10 -0800 From: Bob <Bobeeg@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: M_Boats: The Gelcoat Miracle To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <41F71156.7010208@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
We use AquaBuff 2000. Over the years while visiting several fiberglass repair amd gelcoat shops they all used Aqua Buff 2000.
http://www.duratec1.com/dp17-18.html
We buy it in 5 gallon pails. We mix it with Saftey Klean Yellow paste wax on a Milwaulkee power buffer.
It really makes a difference what pad and machine is used. Results are excellent.
Bob