Polish/buffing

[Rogcapital]

I’m have 2007 RZ2. I have neglected the gel cost for sometime. I’m new to polishing/buffing but I’m going to try to do it myself.

First question: if I use an abrasive agent how do I avoid damaging the sticker? And do how I tell where the sticker starts along the hull. Having a have time figuring out the dimensions of the sticker.

Any specific advise would be appreciated. Get boat has not been touched for 7 years.


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[BCRider]

You're going to want to buy yourself a variable speed polisher. The Makita is known to be one of the best tools for this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...7CX3/205755203

Then depending on how much oxidation you have you need to get a heavy cutting pad. I bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/Presta-Wool-C...4896054&sr=8-5

I used the Maguiers Oxidation remover 49 and Polish 45.

For polishing you want a softer pad. I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Arnold-NAA-SF...896332&sr=8-10

The oxidation remover is going to be the biggest part. On the polisher you only need to be running anywhere from about 900-1500 rpm. Polishing you run about 1000-1700rpm.
For Wax I just used some Carnuba vehicle wax that I already had.

This was a good source for how too's and such: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTU...FXeZNyptBaoDhg

You are going to want a lot of micro fiber cloths to clean up as you go.

Also, I'd consider whether you want to take this project on this time of year? All said and done as a newb myself I had about 3 solid days in to this if not slightly more with clean up.

To answer your question I ran the polisher right over my registration decals and didn't have any issues. My neighbor did his Malibu that has graphics on the side and his was fine as well.

A lot of time and effort and sore arms but well worth it all said and done. My boat had been neglected in that department as well. I removed the 22VE decal off the side the day I bought the boat used so I still had some ghosting. That's pretty much all gone now. With a mostly blue hull cutting removed quite a few of the small scratches that I had.

Good Luck!!

[Zackdogg]

You should be able to feel the edges of the sticker with your finger nails, or fingers, even. Probably going to be tough to work around the sticker, but the laminate on them should be fairly tough. If I were you. You could yank the stickers altogether, mask them, or just go for it, and see what happens.

Gel is usually laid pretty thick, you could start with some high grit wet sanding, maybe like 1000, then step up to 2000-3000, or use a heavy cutting compound, followed by lighter cutting, polishing or glaze, then a wax. Should look pretty close to new by that point. We did an old Malibu my cousin had, and got it looking pretty good by the end.


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[Bamer]

Start with small areas to test, then once you get it figured out work one section at a time.


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[Zackdogg]

Good call Bamer I left that part out.


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[Rogcapital]

Sorry forgot to thank everyone for the very detailed advice. Much appreciated. Decided to wait until the off season to take this on.


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[Ironrequiem]

I recently did this neglected 2017 RZX with Meguiars 45 and 49, that stuff worked great. Great advice from BCRider on tools and products, especially the pads. Don't skimp on them you will want to use quality pads for a better, easier results. I have been told the carnuba car wax deteriorates or gets broken down quickly by elements in lake water. Not sure if thats just Florida or everywhere. I used Meguiar's M6316 Flagship Premium Marine Wax.

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