Seeking advice on gel coat restore
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40307
Printed Date: November-16-2024 at 9:41am
Topic: Seeking advice on gel coat restore
Posted By: bpurnell
Subject: Seeking advice on gel coat restore
Date Posted: December-13-2016 at 5:14pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-13-2016 at 6:50pm
I have used with great results. I used a foam pad for the Glaze but was planning on switching to wool next time round. The boat shines. It will remove oxidation really well and leave the gel nice and glossy. I don't know anything about the Star Brite product but you probably don't need it. Looks like a cleaner wax to me (polish and wax) I'd probably skip it as you won't need another polish after the 3m Glaze and go straight to waxing. I use Collinite Liquid Fleetwax but 3M should be great too. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
bpurnell wrote:Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: December-13-2016 at 9:08pm
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. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: December-13-2016 at 9:25pm
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Brian, Kris mentioning the http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27356&title=ccf-faq" rel="nofollow - FAQ thread is a fantastic suggestion. If you haven't found it yet, take a few minutes and take a look at all the links to great info. The gel buff thread link is in the 3rd post. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 1:52am
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. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: bpurnell
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 2:13am
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Thanks, I looked at the FAQ page. I gave the wrong 3M code for the product I was planning to use for the first step. It is 3M Rubbing Compound (09004). It says on the bottle to follow-up with 3M Marine Finess-it II Glaze. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 7:31am
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. |
Posted By: bpurnell
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 9:03am
| Thanks for the advice. Which Perfect-it II product do you recommend? There seems to be several. Do you happen to have the 3M Product code? |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 12:15pm
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Use 3M Perfect-it rubbing compound. 3M Number: 06085 ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 12:23pm
Cool, Next time round I'll do a two stage of Perfect It compound then Marine Glaze. Another question is what do you all do for maintenance? I was considering doing a cleaner wax at the start of the season and then wax in the middle and again at the end end of summer. Generally how often do you need to Polish to maintain the gel coat. I don't want to overdo it but want to try and keep it look good. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 1:57pm
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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!! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 2:10pm
I guess that makes sense, thanks Chris.
Good to know, I'll stick with Collinite. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 4:10pm
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.
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Posted By: C-Bass
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 4:55pm
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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. ------------- Craig 67 SN 73 SN http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6103" rel="nofollow - 99 Sport 85SN |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 8:15pm
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. ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 11:06pm
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Compound and polish are just abrasive particles suspended in liquid. You wouldn't go from a heavy compound to a fine polish in one step just like you don't go from 320 grit to 1000 sand paper. I've got some 3 micron diamond paste here if anyone wants to get real shiny. |
Posted By: bpurnell
Date Posted: December-14-2016 at 11:48pm
| Thanks guys. I plan to buy some perfect-it Compound. |
Posted By: Duane in Indy
Date Posted: December-15-2016 at 6:30am
Save that for your prop lapping!! You will need it this spring.  ------------- Keep it as original as YOU want it 1978 Mustang (modified) |
Posted By: fgroce
Date Posted: December-15-2016 at 9:57pm
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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. ------------- FGroce 88 Ski Nautique For 28 years Now 2002 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-15-2016 at 11:06pm
| You don't need a gallon of the Perfect It rubbing compound. |
Posted By: fgroce
Date Posted: December-16-2016 at 11:05pm
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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. ------------- FGroce 88 Ski Nautique For 28 years Now 2002 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Duane in Indy
Date Posted: December-16-2016 at 11:16pm
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Try this: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MMM0/05973/N0468.oap?ck=Search_N0468_MMM_-1_-1&mn=3M&mc=MMM&pt=N0468&ppt=C0209" rel="nofollow - O'reily Auto ------------- Keep it as original as YOU want it 1978 Mustang (modified) |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: December-16-2016 at 11:30pm
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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 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: bpurnell
Date Posted: December-16-2016 at 11:39pm
| I think this is a different product than what was suggested earlier. I think the product number suggested was 06085. |