So like many old boats, this one comes with a solid layer of dirt and grime, as well as a fine chalky patina of oxidized gelcoat. We’ve all got our tricks and methods, as well as a variety of tools available to get boats looking good again. In this case we’re going to clean up the hulls with a consistent cleaning, sanding and polishing method. The decks will get cleaned up too, but we’ll to a little testing on the area in front of the tramp for different cleanup methods for appearance and longevity.
Taking the boat apart can make it a lot easier to get to different places consistently for a nicer finish. The port hull was cleaned first, with a method of power washing, then scrubbing, and then attempting to remove the old stickers and decals. We used BSI Sticker Removal spray, which has worked very well on removing stubborn regatta decals and other boat stickers for other projects. This was not super effective on the nearly 40 year old full length hull stripes. I recently repurposed an embossing heat gun to replace the burned out heat gun in my electrical kit. This tool worked fantastically with a blunt chisel to strip the stickers off and most of the glue. Using gloves, a mask, our trusty chisel and a gasoline soaked rag, the glue softened right up and came off pretty easily.The process left a bit of a mess and the fuel residue needed to be washed off, so more pressure washing and scrubbing cleaned the hull up nicely.
**Note** Gasoline is a fantastic solvent, but is hazardous chemical for physical contact, inhalation and flammability concerns. Use at your own risk!
For the starboard hull, we went straight to the sticker removal, a nice steady hand and some patience resulted in a pretty well cleaned hull about 30 minutes later. Sprayed and scrubbed and the hull is ready for sanding! This is the first time that we’re trying out the 3m marine polish system. After being cleaned, the hulls are wet sanded with 800 grit sand paper and will then be polished, then sanded with 1500 grit sand paper, and then polished again. Similar methods have yielded mirror finishes that last quite awhile. The last couple of polishing sessions we’ve done on the oxidized colored gelcoat looked great, but quickly re-oxidized within a few months. We’re hopeful that this more thorough process will have longer lasting results.
After getting through sanding about half of one hull, my old sander gave up! New tools and a bit more sun will be found in Part II!
Update: Day two brings more sanding and polish.
We’re going to try and do a thorough and “best job” on the bottom, with some R & D for the decks. The 800 grit worked pretty well, but didn’t get ride of the stickers, and my sander died part way through the second hull. Went on to polish using the 3m Heavy polish with some nice results.
I ended up with a bit of excess on the polish. I learned early that too much is better than not enough… but it can make a mess if you use too much. Basic polish instruction… gently distribute polish, buff it out! 900-1500 rpms. Rub off with a clean cloth. Getting ready to do the 1500 grit and finer polish and finish coat.
For most people, just the application of the heavy coat polish, may be enough. We’re going to try that out on the blue boat soon.