Polishing a Fiberglass Hull

[Phil Layer]

My boat is sitting while the engine is being rebuilt. I'm doing a bunch of improvements to it while I'm waiting to get back on the water.

I was reading Corky King's post on polishing the aluminum on his Intruder and thought a new shine to my hull would be a good idea.

Any advice on how and with what?

[Phil Layer]

Hehehehehe,

I guess we ifishers are too busy reelin to be rubbin.

[reeljoy]

I have been useing pledge for 30 years and works great! Easy to use every time out. Spray on and wipe off. I have also used a RV polish for fiberglased RV's. You can buy at any RV center.

[Zodman]

We just rubbed out a 42' trawler with a 3m product called Finesse-it and it worked very well. Using a power scrub with a Porter-Cable small hand sander that Porter-Cable sells foam and polishing discs for. After that we waxed it and it worked great. Good Luck.
Zodman

[Joe Schwab]

Used to do part time boat detailing. There is a product you can get at most specialty stores that sell auto striping and cleaners called Granitize Polishing Compound. Put it on the buffing wheel pad and go to it. It will clean and polish streaks, scratches, oxidation, remove paint and leave the hull looking like new.

[drhall99]

2 cans of Pledge - Twice per year. Takes the oxidation away and gives it a great shine. It's easy to do, too.

[ 07-23-2003, 07:48 PM: Message edited by: drhall99 ]

[SCUTZ ZA]

I used to work in a boat yard and the product of choise was made by west marine I believe, I think there are cheaper products out there. But it is basicaly fiberglass cleaner/polisher. It almost completly removes the oxydation from the finish. It will make a great improvment, on your boat. I would invest or rent a electric buffer. If you want most boat yards will do the service for you. I think it can be costly but it will look nice. The change is more drastic if your boat color is darker, white looks shinny but darker just looks like it has been repainted. Other than that I dont know what else I could say. Have fun and just think of the finished product, if you get frustrated. :wink:

[corkyking]

There's a product called "ON-OFF" hull and bottom cleaner by "Marykate Shipshape Inc." that is reputed to do very well on fiberglass to clean waterline stains, rust, barnacle rings etc. There is a product "Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound" which purports to "removes layers of oxidation............providing a clean, lustrous surface ready for waxing"

Don't know much about wax except "Meguiars" makes good products.

Have fun!!

Six days shalt thou labor and do all thou art able,
And on the seventh holystone the deck and scrape the cable
Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914)