So my 2000 has to my best knowledge sat for a minimum of 5 years unattended. I finally got the the interior cleaned out for the most part now I need to turn to the outside. I was rinsing her off and I realized truly how chalky and oxidized she is. I have searched to forums here and other general boat repair sites for what exactly I need to do to get her shine back. I am not sure if I need to wet sand or if marine rubbing compound applied using a buffer and then a few layers of wax would work or if anyone can suggest a better method.
i just bought a 26 last year and it sat for an extended period of time. It was oxidized and chalky. After lots of research I ended up using Bar Keepers Friend as the cleaner (oxalic acid) and scrubbed that with a stiff bristle brush and it cleaned like a dream. Some say to get it off the surface real fast but i left it on for a few minutes while I scrubbed and it cleaned like it was brand new. Amazing stuff. Then washed it with Dish soap to clean the surface, the used a light concentration of bleach and water and a rinse. Then I used ZEP wet/look (polymer finish) not as shiny as wax but much easier on the maintanence. hope that helps
I just did ours with an all in one 3M polish and wax and was really happy with the results. I plan to do it again every fall and spring and see how it goes. Boats been in the water for a month now (and we haven’t been down in three weeks, long story) so I’ll find out this weekend how it’s holding up. I know that 3M also makes a 3 step oxidization removal ‘system’ (just three bottles of varying polishes and wax) and I've used the step 2 and 3 (polish then straight wax) but the all in one was easy and again some of the best results I've had and it worked on the checkering (with an electric buffer for application and buffing) and the black didn't bleed into the white around the stripes like it can with a heavier polish.
yukonbob wrote:I just did ours with an all in one 3M polish and wax and was really happy with the results. I plan to do it again every fall and spring and see how it goes. Boats been in the water for a month now (and we haven’t been down in three weeks, long story) so I’ll find out this weekend how it’s holding up. I know that 3M also makes a 3 step oxidization removal ‘system’ (just three bottles of varying polishes and wax) and I've used the step 2 and 3 (polish then straight wax) but the all in one was easy and again some of the best results I've had and it worked on the checkering (with an electric buffer for application and buffing) and the black didn't bleed into the white around the stripes like it can with a heavier polish.
I never tried Bar Keepers Friend but I did use a host of marine waxes and then rubbing compound with marginal success. I ended up wet sanding and it came out looking like new but it was a lot of work.
I suggest looking at the Newglass option as well. Many of us on the forum have gone that route with positive results. Here is a thread that discusses it. No buffing and waxing. Very easy. Just repetitive after a good clean. http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 97#p246496
I second the use of Barkeepers Friend- I have used BKF for all sorts of very stubborn cleaning jobs and it's mild abrasive action does a number on oxidized gel coat. My 2005 was not too far gone but was on the brink when I bought it late last summer. A thorough, sudsy wash down is necessary as well as a good rinse but the chalky finish will be gone gone gone......
npsrangerchuck wrote:I second the use of Barkeepers Friend- I have used BKF for all sorts of very stubborn cleaning jobs and it's mild abrasive action does a number on oxidized gel coat. My 2005 was not too far gone but was on the brink when I bought it late last summer. A thorough, sudsy wash down is necessary as well as a good rinse but the chalky finish will be gone gone gone......
I've never tried that for chalk removal, but it works a treat for getting rust stains off gel coat.
Why are there rust stains on my gel coat you ask? Because the PO used hardware that looked like SS when it was new (I presume), but wasn't, and even in a fresh water area, the weather sooner or later turns it to brown rust. Which leaches into the gel coat. Hence the use of BKF, with its oxalic acid.
The Barkeepers Friend worked great on my swim ladder which decided to take a little swim over the winter months.
I look forward to using it to try to and clean up the hull this weekend if it ever stops raining.
I am fascinated by the idea of using BKF on my . Can someone tell me how they use it? Paste/powder? Do you use an electric buffer? Steps...I need steps!
kurz wrote:But looking at the swim ladder I ask if it was made out of the correct material.
If you take the correct ss steel it should not corrode so much... right???
It wasn't corroded, it was covered by the same growth that was on the bottom. Although the power washer cleaned the bottom nicely, it had hardly any affect on the ladder.
Baha wrote:I am fascinated by the idea of using BKF on my . Can someone tell me how they use it? Paste/powder? Do you use an electric buffer? Steps...I need steps!
I just used either a dollar store scrub pad (plastic nylon kind) not the steel kind and powder BKF. Or a Bristle brush works well for the floors and deck. Scrub let sit on surface for a few minutes and hose off. Like new!!
has to my best knowledge sat for a minimum of 5 years unattended. I finally got the the interior cleaned out for the most part now I need to turn to the outside. I was rinsing her off and I realized truly how chalky and oxidized she is. I have searched to forums here and other general boat repair sites for what exactly I need to do to get her shine back. I am not sure if I need to wet sand or if marine rubbing compound applied using a buffer and then a few layers of wax would work or if anyone can suggest a better method. 
after a good clean.
was not too far gone but was on the brink when I bought it late last summer. A thorough, sudsy wash down is necessary as well as a good rinse but the chalky finish will be gone gone gone......
