Polishing Under Rear Boarding Ladder??

I am at the point of getting the whole top end of the '76 Southwind polished (the underside of the boat will be a whole different issue...Argh!!). However, I have not been able to get under the rear boarding ladder because its just too tight to reach with the electric buffer.

Has anybody dealt with polishing under the ladders? Am I going to have to remove the whole ladder/rear railing assembly? Or, does the ladder come apart in segments? I do need to replace a wooden rung or two as well. Should I use fiberglass or plastic for the rungs vs. the original teak wood??

Being a purist, I lean toward the wood. Just curious if anybody out there has faced either of these dilemas before. I will try to post some pictures later today of what I am talking about.

Thanks!

Dave

Here is a picture of the ladder. You can easily see the oxidation underneath it where I couldn't reach with the buffer. The starboard outside area has been done with 3M Finesse-It II. It is really shining now. I checked out the screws holding the ladder/rail assembly on. I think its just a lag screw set-up, so it should come off and go back on fairly easily.

I always wondered why there were no painted stripes on the back of the boat. Well, I found the outlines of where they used to be. Somebody apparently took them off for whatever reason. I think I will paint them back on when I get to the stripes. I want this baby just like she rolled out of the Correct Craft plant when I get done.

Pete....what is 5200, and where can I get it?

8122pbrainard wrote: Dave, For a HD buffing, the only way to get behind the ladder is to remove it. I would because it sounds like the rest of the boat is coming out pretty good! Removal shouldn't be that hard. When you reinstall, use some 5200 on the screws. No silicone!

WalMart carries 5200, believe it or not!

Brian;

Good advice. A friend of mine suggested I use a product called "Never Dull" for metal polishing. Do you have any experience with that? Supposedly uses chemicals vs. abrasives to shine the metal up. Either way, I do plan to polish the metal as well. Thanks for the advice.

Dave

Brian;

A couple of questions:

You mentioned jewelwers rouge. What is that, how do you use it, and where do you get it?

Regarding clear coating, I don't have a compressor or spray gun. Can clear be applied from a spray can? If so, any brands or types to use?

Thanks!

Dave

Makes sense Brian. Thanks! Great info!

Okay, sorry for 20 Questions here, but, I am learning.

It makes sense to do the fittings with the jewelers rouge/polish wheel, but, would I do the pipe portion as well? It seems like it might be tough to polish all that round stock. Would I be better off using the "Never Dull" for that?

I think I am going to start pulling the ladder and front rails off this evening. Finish up the heavy polishing, and then start on the metal fittings and rails.

Dave