Boat Buffing and hull repairs

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Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
22 Mar 2012 10:07pm
Hi All

I have just completed my first time of taking my yacht out of the water for anti fouling, general hull repairs and a hull buff. There were several blisters in the rudder that required grinding out and re glassing and as she has a cast iron keel I ground out a few rust spots, epoxy filled them and then epoxy primed before anti fouling. The anode had deteriorated quite a lot and had minor pitting of the prop which I cleaned up and had prop speed applied to (most impressive product)

I got onto a sales rep in Oz after viewing a "How to buff your boat" in a forum showing the use of Presta products (Nano Technology). He drove up from Sydney to Newcastle and gave me a complete overview of there product and what suited my hull in its previous state then sold me what I needed to complete the project and at a very reasonable price may I add.

The Gel coat restorer was unreal, I compared it to the M3 products and there is no match, by the way, is there anyone out there that wants a free box of the M3 products....? Anyway, the results were fantastic, check out the photo's I don't think new gel coat looks this good.

If you get blinded by a reflecting hull as the sun is going down its probably mine, her name is Anastasia II, I am think I may have to change her name to (Slippery When Wet) as she is showing a very different attitude on the water.

If anyone is interested all would like advice on the products and procedure please drop me a line and I can send more info.

Dissy













southace
southace
SA
4796 posts
SA, 4796 posts
22 Mar 2012 10:55pm
It would have been good to see a before and after picture.
I used K&H extra cut finished with the K&H polymer wax in the past 10 years but belive it or not now Im using the good ol KITTEN No2 cut and polish finished with KITTEN No1 cream polish wax.......Can be brought at any automotive shop and is alot cheaper than marine products! works a treat and easy to use....wipe on polish off.
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
22 Mar 2012 11:56pm

Photo's as requested Southace




Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7752 posts
NSW, 7752 posts
23 Mar 2012 8:36am
Tell us a bit more about the prop speed. Do it yourself or pay for the highly trained expert? Second mortgage required?
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
23 Mar 2012 7:41pm
Ramona

Regarding the prop speed the cost was $90.00 but you have to be licensed to purchase and apply the product.
Pilgrim
Pilgrim
NSW
20 posts
NSW, 20 posts
23 Mar 2012 8:26pm
Hi Disraeli,
I paid 50% more than that to get the prop speed applied to a 3 bladed prop and shaft at the same marina about 6 months ago . Is yours a saildrive or a 2 bladed prop ?
this is the second slipping I have had the propspeed applied and it is worth the money I reckon
Steve
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
23 Mar 2012 8:50pm
Hi Pilgrim

My prop is a 2 blade fixed, I also agree with the use of prop speed, before I decided to use the product I viewed a prop that had been in the water for 2 years and the product was holding up fine.

Do you sail on Lake Macquarie....?

Dissy

crustysailor
crustysailor
VIC
871 posts
VIC, 871 posts
23 Mar 2012 10:31pm
Hi Disralei,
any links of info you can post on this new gear?
or where it can be bought?
I have fallen back to using automotive polish, some of the international marine stuff I found a little dissapointing (hard to remove even with a buffer, and not much shine), and not to be as good as Kitten.
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
23 Mar 2012 10:55pm
The key to getting a great shine on gel coat is to not use a cutter that is silicone or wax based, send me an E mail and I will forward to you the info on product and the how to buff your boat info.

Dissy
LooseChange
LooseChange
NSW
2140 posts
NSW, 2140 posts
23 Mar 2012 10:58pm
Try these people www.pacer.com.au/ for all sorts of goodies for your boat and car.

Harry
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7752 posts
NSW, 7752 posts
24 Mar 2012 8:30am
The reason I asked about the prop speed was that locally I see plenty of motor cruisers having the job done. They pay $250 a prop upwards!

We should probably have a thread one day on prop finishing. I have used various antifoulings, lanolin and leaving bare bronze. My yacht has a two blade folder and needs a regular scrub to keep it sweet.
southace
southace
SA
4796 posts
SA, 4796 posts
24 Mar 2012 10:16am
Before the days of propspeed the racing yachts would use a texta colour on there folding prop,
I use the same antifoul I use on the hull for Shaft,skeg and Prop 3 coats micron extra.
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
24 Mar 2012 7:20pm
For anyone that is interested in buffing your boat try using the directions included and you will be most impressed with the finish

Regards

Disralei



BOAT POLISH WAX


A) Boat Wash Stage:- Use Oxalic Acid (On /Off) direct from bottle or dilute
1) Do not let to dry keep of metal (10 Mins. Max)
2) Tape plastic to bottom mark line to stop any drips hitting underside


B) Cutting Stage:- Use Presta Super Cut (600 Grit) or Gel Coat Compound (800 Grit)
Use 3M wool Buff 05711 (hookit)
1) Use misting spray to keep moist
2) 600 speed then 1000 speed
3) Work machine criss cross not circular motion
4) Keep disk flat
5) No not wash buffing Pad in Hot water only hold (work your fingers into pad Spin Dry in a bucket then hand towel dry


C) Fine Cut Stage:- Presta Ultra Cut , Its Best to do this also for good finish
Use 3M Wool Buff 05713 (Yellow Pad)
1) As above for Applying


D) Waxing Stage:- Presta Banana Wax , 2 Coats best
Use Megquires 4 dia round foam applicator to Apply
Remove using Mico fibre Rags
1) Mist Hull
2) Liberally apply Wax
3) Wait for it to haze 80%
4) Buff by Hand , Leave small strip un polished to see new over lay

Note:- Do not wash Mico Fibre in Fabric Softener It Kills the Mico Fibres


frant
frant
VIC
1230 posts
VIC, 1230 posts
25 Mar 2012 8:21pm
Disralei said...

For anyone that is interested in buffing your boat try using the directions included and you will be most impressed with the finish

Regards

Disralei



BOAT POLISH WAX


A) Boat Wash Stage:- Use Oxalic Acid (On /Off) direct from bottle or dilute
1) Do not let to dry keep of metal (10 Mins. Max)
2) Tape plastic to bottom mark line to stop any drips hitting underside


B) Cutting Stage:- Use Presta Super Cut (600 Grit) or Gel Coat Compound (800 Grit)
Use 3M wool Buff 05711 (hookit)
1) Use misting spray to keep moist
2) 600 speed then 1000 speed
3) Work machine criss cross not circular motion
4) Keep disk flat
5) No not wash buffing Pad in Hot water only hold (work your fingers into pad Spin Dry in a bucket then hand towel dry


C) Fine Cut Stage:- Presta Ultra Cut , Its Best to do this also for good finish
Use 3M Wool Buff 05713 (Yellow Pad)
1) As above for Applying


D) Waxing Stage:- Presta Banana Wax , 2 Coats best
Use Megquires 4 dia round foam applicator to Apply
Remove using Mico fibre Rags
1) Mist Hull
2) Liberally apply Wax
3) Wait for it to haze 80%
4) Buff by Hand , Leave small strip un polished to see new over lay

Note:- Do not wash Mico Fibre in Fabric Softener It Kills the Mico Fibres





I have always used Farecla products . Same application procedure as above. It's not the product but it is the ELBOW GREASE. There are no shortcuts. You need a coarse compound to cut away oxidized gel coat. A fine polishing compound to polish out the scratches left by the cutting compound and a wax to soak in and preserve the finish. There is no single "wonder product" that will do it all and there is no substitute for physical effort on the other side of a buffing machine with correct pads for the job. It is hard work but in my opinion worth the effort. If you can afford it you can probably pay someone to do the job, presumably you own a big stink boat in that case. Otherwise you can glow in your own reflection in the topsides.
Actually it is a valid measure to hold a tape measure at right angles to the surface and take a reading of the reflection, if you can read 100mm on the tape measure you have got a nice finish.
saltiest1
saltiest1
NSW
2568 posts
NSW, 2568 posts
26 Mar 2012 1:16am
you missed a bit
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7752 posts
NSW, 7752 posts
26 Mar 2012 8:29am
There is an old retired couple locally [older than me] that work for their nephew, shipwright/ slipway operator. They do the whole bit from blasting and antifouling to polishing. Their efforts with the polishing are outstanding and I just might consider employing them to do my topsides. Spread the wealth and get a good job at the same time. I have tried to find out what products they use but they are in industrial size containers and they are a tad secretive. Bloke down the street had his Pion done during the week so I will have to inquire on costs.
Disralei
Disralei
NSW
127 posts
NSW, 127 posts
26 Mar 2012 10:07pm
Thanks Ramona for the feed back, look forward to hearing what you get out of the old couple.

I viewed a yacht up on the hard yesterday that had prop speed on the propeller, it had been in the water for just on 2 years and at little wear, however I could not determine how long or often the engine had been used but the prop was in excellent condition as it was encased with the coating. I will continue to use the product.
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7752 posts
NSW, 7752 posts
27 Mar 2012 8:36am
Disralei said...

Thanks Ramona for the feed back, look forward to hearing what you get out of the old couple.

I viewed a yacht up on the hard yesterday that had prop speed on the propeller, it had been in the water for just on 2 years and at little wear, however I could not determine how long or often the engine had been used but the prop was in excellent condition as it was encased with the coating. I will continue to use the product.


I have not tried prop speed but the next slipping I an going to try polishing. Seems to have a strong following else where. Lot of work the first time apparently but it seems a mirror finish on bronze is effective.
LooseChange
LooseChange
NSW
2140 posts
NSW, 2140 posts
27 Mar 2012 2:48pm
Funny, given that there are anti fouling paints that contain copper to keep the growth away, yet a bronze propeller which is mainly copper won't inhibit growth
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7752 posts
NSW, 7752 posts
27 Mar 2012 6:20pm
LooseChange said...

Funny, given that there are anti fouling paints that contain copper to keep the growth away, yet a bronze propeller which is mainly copper won't inhibit growth


Down at Ulladulla this morning Harry and there was a Bertram 25 on the slips. Nice coat of prop speed on the propeller and rudder but the shaft and bronze skeg were untreated. Going to be a nice barnacle collector shortly.
KnotaClew
KnotaClew
1 posts
1 posts
21 Apr 2012 10:26pm
Hi Disraeli

Just sent you an email regarding the beaut look!
nick0
nick0
NSW
510 posts
NSW, 510 posts
22 Apr 2012 9:30pm
working at a boat yard for a while a bit back .. we made out own prop speed .. not the gold primer but the clear coat that goes on top .. epoxy thinners was one ingrediant .. was 2 other easy to get chems as well .. so worth it .. removeing barnies from the inner working of a folding prop is hell
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