RESTO Hull restoration

[sooner87]

I have an ongoing resto/mod project on a 96xp and need to give props to LouDoo his advice has been right on the money. Wish LouDoo lived next door then this post would be in reference to the epic rides instead of working on skis. Now to the next question. I am buffing/restoring the hull and have tried course cut and fine cut 3m polishing compound but I'm not real happy with the results. Can anyone suggest a product that they have had good success with? Also after I get the oxidation removed what is the best polish for that new ski shine that the water will bead on?:cheers:


Its always better, wetter.


Thanks,

Lance

 

[Spimothy Leary]

1500 waterproof sandpaper for getting everything up, works great. ace hardware $6

i'm at work and I can't recall the compound that I use with my buffer, buff magic or something like that... $35 west marine, i've tried probably 5 different compounds and this one worked the best... but dam pricey ! (will last for yrs, its a big can)

the wax i prefer is called fw1 shine, its an aerosol can, i like it...not that you can tell, since I never get around to waxing my ski, but i loaned the can to a friend and his beads up real nice !

edit: searched west marine's site.. it is buff magic compound

 

[Dr Honda]

You are dealing with Gel coat. It's hard as a rock. Fine cut compound was meant for soft, thin paint. If you are trying to bring back a ski from years of neglect... you need 3m Super Duty compound, a rotary polisher (not a wimpy DA) and a big foam pad.

All the pics blow are just the compound. No wax has been put on.

Here's some before and after examples......

 

[Axkiker]

YUUUUP!!!! Ive buffed many boats and superduty is a good compound. Its aggressive so be warned you can take gel coat off fast.

If you are just looking for a good shine and have a white hull you can typically just use superduty. If you have another color such as black or are looking for that perfectly swirll free finish you need to go through a few more steps.

My process is:

sand scratches out with 1000
move to an overall with 1500
next use a mixture of superduty and finesse it. Run the buffer with little pressure and keep the rpms up
next another all over with 100 % finesse it
finally move to a DA and foam pad with a good hand glaze

last.... a good Wax. I prefer the new Turtle Wax ice as its 100% synthetic and seems to last longer than carnuba.

just my 02 on it. If you ask 100 people you will find 100 different optinions.

 

[sooner87]

Thanks guys, I did not realize gel coat was so hard. Off to home depot and oriellys to get supplys for another hot night in the garage. On another note, is someone still manufacturing hydraulic trim systems for the older xp skis? These skis are so popular I really don't understand why the aftermarket guys stopped supporting them. Everytime quality performance parts get posted in the classifieds they get jumped on like ducks on a june bug...wth?

Thanks again,

Lance

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Check out this thread, i have done every seadoo i own this way and they all look new.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?48028-How-to-clean-your-sun-faded-hood-cover-w-pictures

 

[sooner87]

looks good...........like the part about lasting for years as I like to ride the ski much more than wrenching on it.

 

[bmocken]

Check out http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?44726-Dont-be-afraid-of-a-little-oxidation-on-your-paint!!

 

[sooner87]

Nice job. I was not aware of how hard gel coat is, after that was explained, I quit screwin around with it and got serious. I've got a big old makita 7" grinder polisher that made quick work of that oxidation. I did use 3m medium cut because it was not in that bad of shape.