Removing oxidation?

Any one have tips for removing oxidation from Hobie hulls? I just bought a 82 H16 the boat has been under a cover so most of the hulls shines like new but in a few areas were the cover did not reach there is some white oxidation mostly under the tramp on the inside of the hulls. I have never worked with fiberglass before so assume I know nothing any tips appreciated.

Thanks,
Floyd

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

First clean the boat with a product called Barkeepers Friend.

Then I usually use a 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper to take off the oxidation.

After that get a polishing compound, my personal favorite is "Meguiars Diamond Cut Compound 2.0"
(Available at most automotive stores like NAPA, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Checkers and the like)

Use a variable speed buffer and start at a low speed to spread it around, and then work up to middle speed.

When using a power buffer on automotive finishes you have to be very careful to avoid heat buildup so you don't "burn" the paint.

Gelcoat on the other hand "likes" a little bit of heat. It softens the gel and lets it move around so that the scratches from the sanding turns into a nice glossy finish.

After that, I apply a good marine wax, once again my personal favorite is a Starbrite product called "Premium Marine Polish with PTEF" Now available at most west marine stores. (Spendy, but in my opinion, worth it.)

Believe it or not, Gelcoat is "porus" and the wax will keep the hulls looking bright and shiney clean, even in the coffee colored waters of Lake Charles, or the muddy waters of Lake Carslyle

Have fun !

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

I picked up the sandpaper and a sanding block at lunch but could not find the other 2 products I will have to try a couple places on the way home. I will post a picture of the areas I am trying to restore when I get home. Can I just use a buffer from walmart or harbor freight?

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

sure you can..... it's just that i have found that a variable speed buffer is easier to use, and will make a quality final result less difficult to achieve.

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

I am up for making it easier I will look for a variable speed buffer.

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Here is a cheap one from harbor freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92623

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

They do have that buffer at my local Harbor Freight what kinda of pads or disc should I use with it?

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Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

something like this
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93591

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

I'm lazy...
Wetsanding not needed in most cases:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sEyot5A_o

Perfectit III Extra Cut. Wax. Done.

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Sail Revolution
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depends on what color the hulls are. Colored hulls almost always need at least some wet sanding.
White hulls it depends on how severe the oxidation is.

I tend to be a little less lazy on my own boat than I would be on the ones Jeremy owns

BTW, Jeremy, I love the little doodad you sent me ! Just put it on today, and will let you know how it feels after the racing on Labor day Weekend.

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

You can see were the cover stopped and the fading starts its the same on both hulls.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41605241@N02/3860563814/

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

Definitely going to be a job that requires some wet sanding.
If I were doing the job, I'd start with some 320 grit and then hit it with some 600 grit once you have knocked the worst of the oxidization off.
Be careful not to overdo it when sanding, and KNOW before you start that you will probably still have some shading differences even after sanding.
When the blue gel coat fades like that the damage is more than just skin deep.
Believe me, I've had two blue boats. Loved the color, hated the maintenance. Keeping them garage stored or covered is a MUST.
If its any comfort, the orange and red Gel coat fades even worse.

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

MUST's right after seeing the pics I think you need a little wetsand on that sucker. The yellow hull in my video was pretty bad, but yours is a little more oxidized.
J

Yeah it really sucks cause the rest of the boat is in great shape. But better than my last boat it was completely faded.

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

I just did this and it looks brand new to my hobie 16
First use the fiberglass color restorer thats in the hobie catalog, then use some marine or boat polish. Works great!