best compound/restorer for Fiberglass

[redaddiction]

What's the best product any of you found to restore fiberglass that is all oxidized, and chalky looking back to a shine? There are many rubbing compounds and restorers out there but before I go buying one's that don't work well i'd like to hear some input. Thanks

[Ray]

It all depends on how bad it is chalked up.
If not bad, 3M Cleaner Wax.
If kinda bad, 3M Restorer Wax.
Use either with a medium speed polisher. Not an orbital polisher.
If it is too bad for those two, hire a professional.

[redaddiction]

Well, its probably not as bad as it sounds in my post. It's a white hull that dull, no glass shine. No chalky residue or anything.

[southern151]

Once it starts to go, there is no stopping it. There is only prolonging the inevitable. Fiberglass and plastics absorb materials all their life. They both eat away at Tue finish from the inside out and salt and sun do not help.

[redaddiction]

I understand that. But what would you recommend to give it a little life again? I'm sure you have some preferences being in the business you're in.

[southern151]

If you'd like, pm me and, I'll give you more info or, I'll post it here tomorrow. A few too many bud light tonight to be real helpful! Lol!

[redaddiction]

Ok, thanks.

[southern151]

Ok, more sober now so, here we go. First off, this only my opinion so, if it doesn't go with what someone else thinks, I'm not trying to offend them...

I would NOT start out with a compound. Instead, I would start out with a less abrasive polish. Try a small area and see how it reacts. You never know, you may not need to compound it. If this is the case, you get to skip a step and, you are leaving more of your finish on your boat. My favorite part of this is getting to skip a step! LOL I would recommend a carnauba wax/polish. I use a group called Production Car Care Products. They have a green polish that works and cleans off better than any 3M product I've ever used.

If you try the polish and, it doesn't work, then, you may consider a light compound. Again, the group I mentioned above has a pink compound that, although effective, isn't as coarse as most 3M products I've used. Keep in mind, the harder a material cuts, the more you are taking off of your finish and, the more apt you are to burn through! I would recommend a buffer that goes to 1000 rpms or less, especially near any sharp edges and corners.

Once you knock the haze off, beit with compound, polish or, a combination of the two, you need to find a tough wax. I don't use anything here with teflon or silicon in it so, I can't really tell you any great tips on that. I'd say teflon. Basically, you are sealing it up with your wax. If you'll keep the wax fresh on it, you'll likely not have to buff your boat more than once a year and, even then, it will just be in small spots.

I don't know if there are any PCCP vendors in the Laf area but, if there are, the compound I was referring to is Stock #32001 and the polish is Stock # CP-01.

I hope this helps and, I apologize for any "outbursts" I may have had here last night. I am guilty of another SCWI! My wife didn't hide my phone from me good enough! LOL

Good day all and, if ya got any more ?'s, post em up!

[redaddiction]

Thanks southern. That helps a lot.

[southern151]

Glad I could help.

[vbay]

Once you get it looking like you want it, Try some "newglass2". Put some on a 15 yr hull & it brought a lot of shine back. newglass2.com