Good Ole Elbow Grease

[merc245]

I have to admit when I purchase my 00 ZT24 it was a little crusty and in need of finishing details, After a trailer re-furbish and standard wax jobs previously. This winter I did a little research and purchased the right products and pads. All 3M products buffing, glazing, polish, and wax.
I even hand buffed and waxed the 18 year old paint on the trailer and I it shines almost as new! (now on to replacing and adding to the running lights)





Looking forward to be pulling this beauty across the country once again this summer!

 

[Sam I am]

Love your boat numbers...matching and straight. It's the little things that count.

 

[Diplomat82]

Looks real nice! How do you like the 3m products? Do you think the wax will last more then a few washes?

 

[merc245]

Lets just say, I went right out and purchased Boat Washing Soap. I didn't see any wrong with it, let it dry good, I'll probably build up a 2nd coat of was this week thou! As for the buffing and glaze made for gel coats, 0 swirl marks and a little goes along way. all the 3M products came in at just under 2 bills.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Looks great! The 3M compounds are awesome. I did my whole 38 PQ with them and turned out fantastic. Used them on my old 253 after my painter/body pro friend showed me how easy they work with minimal clean-up.

I remember when Aquabuff was all the rage. That stuff made a huge mess compared to the 3M. 3M is all I will use now.

I will say I tried Collinite Fleetwax for the first time this year. Pain to buff off, but holy carp does it shine. Ill be sold if it lasts all season like everyone says it does.

 

[Nick616]

So could you post the materials and process you used?

Would like to keep the 253 looking good, but don't really know where to start and not mess something up. . .

 

[Gimme Fuel]

So could you post the materials and process you used?

Would like to keep the 253 looking good, but don't really know where to start and not mess something up. . .

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Perfect-B...&qid=1528722035&sr=8-8&keywords=3M+finesse-it

Those are 16 ounce bottles. Should be enough to do entire boat. I've always used foam pads bus some say only use wool on gelcoat. Just used a variable speed buffer from Harbor Freight and their pads:
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-heavy-duty-digital-variable-speed-polisher-62297.html

There should still be a good shine to your boat, so you might even be fine with a dual action polisher, it is likely more forgiving to a novice as well since it is less likely to burn. Heck I have been eyeballing them just for something more aggressive than a jitterbug buffer but not doing a full wheeling:
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-heavy-duty-digital-variable-speed-polisher-62297.html

Frankly, you might get some Collinite Fleetwax and try it on a small section. Might just give you all the shine you are looking for with a simple waxing unless you see oxidation coming back out on the deck.

 

[merc245]

Better late then never, used a wool pad for the compound and a lighter wool pad for the glaze. The polish I had, but after the compound & glaze it was more of an after thought and just applied by hand. Wax was hand applied, easy on medium taking it off. Going to apply another coat before I head to the east coast next week, then I'll make my mind up.
Minuscule clean on 3M products, for $7.00 bucks picked up the spur, less stress on the pads then a screwdriver, The wool pad did cake up while doing the deck.
Plus I believe 303 is mandatory for the vinyl, and while I'm here I keep a good lint roller in a zip lock bag to act as vacuum on overnight or long weekends, hit the carpet once/twice a day for that just cleaned look. Same roll lasted a couple of seasons.

 

[merc245]

Better late then never, used a wool pad for the compound and a lighter wool pad for the glaze. The polish I had, but after the compound & glaze it was more of an after thought and just applied by hand. Wax was hand applied, easy on medium taking it off. Going to apply another coat before I head to the east coast next week, then I'll make my mind up.
Minuscule clean on 3M products, for $7.00 bucks picked up the spur, less stress on the pads then a screwdriver, THE wool pad did cake up while doing the deck.
Plus I believe 303 is mandatory for the vinyl, and while I'm here I keep a good lint roller in a zip lock bag to act as vacuum on overnight or long weekends, hit the carpet once/twice a day for that just cleaned look. Same roll lasted a couple of seasons.

 

[merc245]

OPPS, but I did figure out what to do with my running light make over, I had to go with a different style. Some of the original lights have developed rust in and around them. What I'm going to do is just purchase more non-skid tape a cut out a bezel for each light about a 3/4 inch larger ten the light its self. I did the same thing with rust spots on the fender few years ago and their holding up fine. Go boating this weekend or ready my trailer to head to the east coast trip or do both more pics soon I hope!