January 2019 Cleaning and Polishing

[Alec A]

I had my white gelcoat compounded, polished, and sealed yesterday in San Diego while I went to the San Diego Boat Show.

 

[FastMarkA]

That's a productive trip to the boat show!

Looks like the only white gelcoat is the hardtop; can that support an adult to get up there with a buffer?

 

[Alec A]

Thanks very much. Yes, supports my weight without a problem. The white that I needed to get compounded was the hardtop, and also the white where the cover doesn't cover it, such as between the cockpit and bow covers. Also, on the hard top, there is a stripe in the middle of it (under the radar and TV antenna) that is painted with the Imron. I have been really good at keeping up with the Imron as every 4 months I have been polishing and waxing it myself. I tried to stay ahead of the gelcoat but it was just time at 4 1/2 years in that my cleaner wax and buffing wasn't doing it. I have had guys who maintain others' boats in the marina beg me to allow them to do work on my boat---they want to feature my boat on their website. I cannot tell you how many people tell me how great the boat looks--and then when I tell them it's 4+ years old they are even more impressed. We have a few charter businesses on my dock, and as the customers are walking to and from the charter boat I have heard guys tell their wives/girlfriends, "Honey, that boat (point to mine) is sharp. That's what I want." Makes me appreciate all the work I do to keep my Formula in top condition.

 

[FastMarkA]

I cannot tell you how many people tell me how great the boat looks--and then when I tell them it's 4+ years old they are even more impressed. We have a few charter businesses on my dock, and as the customers are walking to and from the charter boat I have heard guys tell their wives/girlfriends, "Honey, that boat (point to mine) is sharp. That's what I want."

I have witnessed similar reactions.

My boat is hardly the largest on the dock, nor does it have the biggest price tag, but it is definitely a head turner with the huge swim platforms and aft sunpad.

And once the sun goes down and the blue lights come on, it might even draw a bit too much attention!

 

[Alec A]

Today, took my neighbor out whale watching off of Point Loma (AIS track posted). Found one after about 2 hours of just putzing around. Tough to get a photo as we do try to keep a respectful distance from the whales. All in all though, 76 degrees and sunny.

 

[Alec A]

Here's a shot of the Mrs and me after we took some of my college classmates out for a cruise on San Diego Bay yesterday.

 

[radiocontester]

Here's a shot of the Mrs and me after we took some of my college classmates out for a cruise on San Diego Bay yesterday.

You're killing me......snow on the ground here in New England and boat is still hibernating.

 

[Alec A]

You're killing me......snow on the ground here in New England and boat is still hibernating.

Sorry--not meant to be disrespectful or killing you guys. I do share for lots of my friends in the Midwest who are snowbound too. I have been told that my boating photos helps to get them through the winter as they vicariously boat through me for 1/2 of the year.

 

[radiocontester]

Sorry--not meant to be disrespectful or killing you guys. I do share for lots of my friends in the Midwest who are snowbound too. I have been told that my boating photos helps to get them through the winter as they vicariously boat through me for 1/2 of the year.

LOL....all good my friend.....keep them coming!

 

[JaRod]

I had my white gelcoat compounded, polished, and sealed yesterday in San Diego while I went to the San Diego Boat Show.

It does look amazing, what products do you use for compounding and sealing? also what do you use on the chrome stainless parts if you dont mind me asking? Thanks

 

[Alec A]

Thanks. For the Imron Paint, I used Meguires Flagship Paint Polish and then Flagship Paint Polish every 3 to 4 months. I had a service do the top side (white gelcoat) compounding. He told me to keep up with the Paint Polish and then a Meguires Wax since the polish will take off any oxidation and then keep after it with wax. Since the topside is in the sun every day, I have to move that to every 2 months.
For the stainless, I use BlueMagic Metal Polish Cream. For the covers, I wash them weekly but once a year, I bring them home, wash off the driveway, clean the covers with 303 Sunbrella Fabric Cleaner, let dry in the sun up on soccer chairs, then spray with the 303 Sunbrella Fabric Protectorant and let dry on the soccer chairs. I have 2 different pump sprayers---one for the Fabric Cleaner, and one for the Protectorant. They bead water well and the covers look good after almost 5 years now.
I shop most of my chemicals on Amazon.

 

[JaRod]

Thank you very much Alec for sharing your secrets. I'll have to try the Meguiars products, I know they work very well in cars but I was unsure about what to use on the Imron finish, its supposed to be very hard, and I heard not every polish would work. I do use Blue Magic I find it easy to apply and remove and the results are very good. I tried 3M and Marine 31 and although they work I was not all that impressed.

 

[Alec A]

What I have learned from this Boating Forum and a few others is that different owners like different products. I can't criticize others' decisions on the products they use. I have done some experimenting but what I really know---is that if you want to keep your boat looking nice you really have to be diligent about the maintenance and upkeep. (Especially for what we spend on these boats!) Sure, I love my days on the water. But, I have learned to like the cleaning process. It's great for me to turn the radio on and work on my boat. It's quiet at the marina, the tunes are great, and you work away, with no one bothering you---or you get the "Hey Man, boat looks great!" comments. Since my boat is always in the water and our marina has nice cement floating docks, I learned that using my padded auto creeper for my knees makes it easy to proceed down the hull when polishing and waxing. As you get older or you have had your knees destroyed from your Army days, up and down is hard---but sliding along the side of the hull on a padded creeper for my knees is a nice relief. Lastly, yes, it's a little easier to stay after the maintenance as I am retired. During the week, the marina is pretty quiet. So, I can do maintenance during the week while my friend's are still working and then boat on the weekends.

 

[Alec A]

Okay---anyone know where to get these rubber bumper stops? This is the rubber bumper to door from swim platform transom area to the cockpit. The rubber is 4 1/2 years old and cracking, spliting and failing.

 

[toofast]

I got some some formula direct a number of years ago but they failed again and now I'm looking to get new ones

I'll probably just get them on Amazon and drill out the rivets and put in screws

If anyone has a great option please let us know

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[boatweiser]

I had a buddy ceramic coat his boat this winter. Looks absolutely amazing! I have done it on my cars and it is worth every penny. His boat came out amazing. I am very interested to see if it makes it as easy to maintain during the year as it does for cars.

 

[Alec A]

Washing Wednesday

Well, today was Washing Wednesday. I washed the boat and then worked on glass and all the stainless / chrome. Looks ready for the weekend. I also picked up a GoPro so I can start making cruising videos.