Seeking advice on gel coat restore

I am working on restoring the gel coat on my 1991 Ski Nautique. This is my first time tackling this kind of project and I would appreciate some advice.

Here is my plan:

3M Rubbing Compound (05954) applied with 3M Superbuff Compounding Pad (05704) @ 1500 RPM

3M Finesse-it II Glaze (35928) applied with 3M Superbuff Polishing Pad (05705) @ 1500 RPM

Star Brite Premium Marine Polish with PTEF applied by hand.

3M Ultra Performance Paste Wax applied by hand.

Let me know what you guys think. I am specifically wondering if I need to be using a foam or synthetic pad for machine polishing.

Thanks

Brian

TRBenj wrote: 3M Super Duty Compound on a 1" pile wool pad, 2x 3M Perfect-It II Compound on a 1.5" pile wool pad, 1x 3M Finesse-It II Finishing Material (this is a polish) on a wool/acrylic blend polishing pad, 2x Collinites 925 wax, by hand with a microfiber cloth

There is a thread discussing this topic in the FAQ section, and would be a good read for you before you get started.   I quoted Tim's recommendations from the previous thread.    I agree that the StarBrite is not necessary, and also would add that the super duty compound to Finesse- it II is too big a step.   I would use Perfect it II compound instead of the StarBrite so that you can get the scratch marks out from the super duty compound.    I have used this system on paint with very nice results.   Using the system on Gel should produce an even better result as the Gel will take more of a shine.    

Dreaming wrote: [] super duty compound to Finesse- it II is too big a step.   .

Have you tried this? The two step process worked really well for me and it's one of the most recommended combination I came across on the internet.

I am honestly asking and not disagreeing. I have only ever done the two steps but if you have seen a difference using perfect it compound, then I will give it a try next time I do my boat.

Blamey wrote: Dreaming wrote: [] super duty compound to Finesse- it II is too big a step.   .     Have you tried this? The two step process worked really well for me and it's one of the most recommended combination I came across on the internet. I am honestly asking and not disagreeing. I have only ever done the two steps but if you have seen a difference using perfect it compound, then I will give it a try next time I do my boat.

Yes, too big of a step for optimal results. You can see the micro scratches left by the SD that the Finesse-It II couldn't remove in 1-2 passes. The intermediate step will ultimately save time and produce a better shine.

Use 3M Perfect-it rubbing compound. 3M Number: 06085

Answer has a lot to do with how much exposure the boat get's Paul. My 05' as an example, garage stored or under canopy on the lift 98% of the time, this past spring was the first time it needed a polish and just used a mild polish with an orbital buffer. I typically only wax in the spring, have always used Collonite Paste up until this spring as I ran out, used Meguires Flagship marine wax and there was an obvious difference in the protection vs the Collinite, definitely going back to the Collinite!!

Blamey wrote: Dreaming wrote: [] super duty compound to Finesse- it II is too big a step.   .     Have you tried this? The two step process worked really well for me and it's one of the most recommended combination I came across on the internet. I am honestly asking and not disagreeing. I have only ever done the two steps but if you have seen a difference using perfect it compound, then I will give it a try next time I do my boat.

I think the discussion is good, no ill intent received from the questions - and I agree with what Tim said above.    The point of each step is to take out the micro scratching the last step left.   Compounding works just like in sanding in that , 800 will eventually take out 36 grit scratches, but there is a lot more work in getting there than using the grits inbetween.   Finesse it is very very fine, and does a great job of the final polish/swirl removal step, but would take several passes to get rid of the scratching left by the compounding step.    Again, my experience is on paint, not gel, so I suspect that the paint being softer would yield a result faster than the gel when skipping steps...   less work to add a step of medium polish instead of adding 2 - 3 passes with the fine polish.    

C-Bass wrote: I'll 2nd the opinion that Super Duty to Finesse-it 2 is too big of a step. On black Gel I could clearly see swirl/scratch marks even after 2-3 passes of Finesse.

Interesting. I didn't notice any swirl/scratch marks on my white hull (besides the bigger scratches the compound didn't get). I'll follow up on this in the spring once I have tested and seen the difference when using the Perfect It. compound then Glaze.

I am new to all this but have a small obsession with polishing my boat and trying to figure out what works best.

Thanks guys. I plan to buy some perfect-it Compound.

Hi I was looking at the compounds to us and came up with these but could not find the pads with the same description.
     

3M™ Super Duty Rubbing Compound, 1 Quart

Weight: 3.0000 lbs
     $25.50      

3M™ Finesse-It™ II Machine Polish, 1 Quart

Weight: 3.0000 lbs
     $55.75

3M™ Perfect-It™ II Rubbing Compound, 1 Gallon

Weight: 11.0000 lbs
     $68.50      

These are the right items? If someone knows the pad numbers add it to the list. I copied these prices from DADS web site. Followed the link on the FAQ.

     

Hi I didn't think I would need a gallon, it was the only size they had listed on the site. I'm thinking a quart would take care of it.

You could also try here,they have the pads and everything http://www.tptools.com/3M-Rubbing-Compound,5493.html?b=s*3M+-+Perfect-It™+Rubbing+Compound
and another vote for Collinite wax too