Oxidation Removal

So with Saturday being a full day at the lake, yesterday I started to tackle removing the oxidation on the '97. PO stored boat on a lift on the water and neglected to keep a nice coat of wax on the boat, I knew this when I purchased in May and figured that I could remove the oxidation. Here is my attempt:

After reading so many different opinions and options, I decided to take a $20 investment and about 6 hours of arm exercises and put it to the test, this is my $20 investment 3M. I got it from Academy, not from the link. I used brand new microfiber towels for the rubbing and buffing.

I removed the platform and started getting at it, since it was a pretty cloudy day in my neck of the woods in SC, I figured it was a good day to hit it hard. As you can see, the oxidation was pretty thick compared to where the platform shielded the gel coat from the sun:



I was pretty happy with the results on the first pass, the pin striping is original and I have plans to replace all of the pin striping in the near future, so I wasn't really careful around the striping, if it came off, no worries, I'll replace with new. Additionally, I've been slowing removing ID #'s from the stern from PO, which is on the starboard side of the stern:



I also went around the brackets and the pick ups to remove old water stains, here is the completed first pass at the stern:



After the stern, I started on the port side, again, not really worrying about the pin striping:







All in all, I was pretty impressed with the results, it was about 8pm when I finished the port side and I forgot to take a picture of the finished results. I am going to do the starboard side this week, rain permitting. Additionally, I am going to go over both sides one more time to get a more even coat, then another coat of regular wax.

As many on here have put it, there is no "easy" way, pretty much comes down to how much work you really want to put into a project. Of course just make sure your wife or significant other doesn't toss you and the boat to the curb.

I'll post more pics of the project as I complete. Man, my shoulders, arms and finger tips sure are tired.

You could save quite a bit of elbo grease and get some better results with a cheap Harbor Frieght buffer.
Looks good so far

I am going to be doing this to my 93 S.N. soon, and was curious and wanted your opinion if you think it would help out my boat. I am posting a photo here. Or if I need to hit it with something more aggressive.

Any thoughts?

yeah, I hear ya. those lines are more paint or rubber "scuffs" from where the boat rubbed against a dock for many years... but I'd imagine they'll need some wet sanding possible, before the compounding.

Still have the starboard side to complete here in the next couple of days.....

Here are a couple more pictures from last night before the storms, I did another round of the compound, then followed up with a coat of wax, results are really good:





Anyone have good tips on pinstriping? I will probably go with 1/4" white as original on top, but thinking about going 1/4" black (purple is original) on bottom....

I have my doubts as to the effectiveness of oxidation removal by compounding by hand. A machine (rotary) will provide much more consistent, long lasting results.

In any case, you will want to polish (again, machine being most effective) prior to decal install. Wax last, obviously.