how to Clean fibreglass

[Mark0]

I' am the proud new owner of 93 Carribbean Cobra, got it inspected and all in all for its age it's in great condition floors been rebuilt recently, motor is a 96 90hp Merc been well serviced, trailer is 18 months old.

So what I was wanting to do was to clean it up a little more then it is.
I am going to replace the press studs on the boat, recover the seats soon but I want to clean the hull up it's a white hull but got marks here and there from rubbing up against something also grubby fingerprints most likely from greeced up hands.

Is it best to cut and polish with a boat polish by hand I've not done it before ? I've seen some people clean their boat with acids and so on, not sure if that's needed.

Or would it need a proper detailing by someone ?

I also need to clean the stainless rails.

Also the engine itself looks oxidised maybe a polish might help that.

All in all after getting the boat today I am stoked with my buy, going to show it some love now.


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[Noelm]

Lots of possibilities, it just depends on how bad it is, sometimes a bit of a cut and polish will go OK, other times a rub back with some fine wet& dry first is needed, on an older hull, Acetone works a treat to get marks off the hull, but be warned, do not get any on upholstery, Perspex windscreens and stuff like that, it will dissolve it pretty quick.

[Triple]

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php/104589-Detailing-HOW-TO?highlight=detail+boat

[Mark0]

Awesome thread that's exactly what I needed ta,

Do you guys polish the bow and top of the sides in the same fashion my boat has the non slip spikes on these sections.

Also has anyone gone to the trouble of replacing pin stripes and stickers mine are a bit weathered here and there, putting some new pinstripes might not be hard but the cobra wording and image would have a white hull under it I imagine.

Lastly the original chrome badges has anyone cleaned them up and resprayed ?

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[Rip it up]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/388eb0fcb26f11df9fa453f28922e80d.jpg

I did a full cosmetic overhaul.

Same gelcoat just removed stickers then wet and dry sanded it back to smooth finish.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/dffbbf9dbc79fc9bfb8dfcd0c6c32f4e.jpg

2 cutting compounds and finally 3 coats of wax to protect. Farcela G3 paste heavy cut. G6 liquid polish. Then marine UV wax.

That was 3 years ago.

This is what it looks like recently. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/5ad4137c69eab059057169cbfa3047ce.jpg


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[Mark0]

Nice job.
I've bought septon hull cleaner and stain remover I will hit it with this, then septon extra cut fibreglass polish my boats 23 years old and this polish says it's for weathered and old surfaces, I'll use this next might buy a rockell buffer from Supercheap.
It's a wax I dont have yet going to look for one now, the one septone has says it's a cutting compound and wax but I already have polish so not sure that's the right one.
I got some septone stainless polish for those bits, I hope this all brings her up nice.

Any advise to clean the floor mainly to get rust stains from what looks like items that have sat on the floor started to rust so just stains.

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[scottar]

Just be really careful about not leaving or preferably getting the hull cleaner on the trailer - doesn't do the galvanizing any favours

[Mark0]

Even if you wash it off ?
My trailer is painted not sure if that helps.

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[scottar]

The stuff is basically acid. We use a similar product on the tugs - possibly in a higher concentration (not sure) as a rust rinse - dissolves rust stain off the paint work. If you leave it in contact it will etch and discolour the 2 pack. If you wash it off instantly you might be alright - might be worth a quick spot check somewhere.

[Mark0]

This is what I got it says to leave it for 5 to 10 mins.

Should I apply to hull and immediately just wash the trailer with hose as it drops on maybe.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/1c3a9c5db8e1e0cbffa68ec8e0fbadc1.jpg

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[scottar]

Either that or drop the boat off the trailer.

[Chimo]

You could just drop the boat off the trailer onto tyres on the lawn and take the trailer right out of risk.

Easy enough to do. Secure rear of boat pehaps via ski hooks to a tree or fence slide the boat off onto tyres by pulling the trailer forward. You may pull trailer from the axle so it tilts and lets the boat easily come off the trailer.

To load use the trailer winch and with the trailer NOT on the car let the trailer slide under the boat.

Do your polishing of the upper bits and the hull by tilting the boat on its side and then reversing with the boat on the ground and then do what you cannot get to with it back on the trailer.

[Chimo]

Great minds do think alike Scottar. All the best for 2017 too..........

[Mark0]

Ok thanks, I have nothing here I can sit the boat on, I will need to think about this, sorry re all questions this is my first step up from a tiny and having a glass boat

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[scottar]

Great minds do think alike Scottar. All the best for 2017 too..........

Cheers Chimo. Likewise to you and your crew.