Recently purchased used boat and would like to improve its looks. Faded paint,cover. Sand and polish?

Question

Baja Islander 18' nice boat but would like to 'refresh' paint/decals.Need to wetsand and polish,rubbing compound? Not sure!

Also cover is faded,can you run the cover thru large industrial washing machie with dye?

Answer 1

There are rubbing compounds that will restore the finish if it is not too deeply oxidized.  I would definitely try this first.  It worked very well for me.  It's no harder than waxing.  There are also fabric restoring products that can bring back color to plastics and vinyls.  Don't know about your cover.  Try the link below to find the products you are looking for.  Try the easier stuff first.  Your solutions are more involved and expensive.

Answer 2

You shouldnt have to sand the gel coat, in most cases you can just use a high speed buffer and bring the color back. And about the top I've never tried that but sounds good.

Answer 3

the one thing is that sanding and buffing will bring back it,s original look but it will have a tendency to fade back in just a few month,s unless you wax it often, I am in the auto repair industry and have found that Sickens or Spies Hecker Clear-coat would be your best bet, it is a very durable paint and will last a good 5 to 10 year,s depending if it will be Covered or out in the weather, you may not be a Painter but almost all Auto painter,s have a shop at their house for Side job,s,

Answer 4

Before you wetsand try 3M fiberglass restorer wax. Its made to bring faded finishes back. If that does not do it then wetsand, polish.

If the cover is in good shape and just needs treating, you could get a few cans of Fabric Guard that will water-proof it again or send it to Sunbrella Industries for a complete treatment to freshen it up.

Answer 5

Use Starbrite products found at West Marine. They were originally developed for automotive but the marine crowd became the big market. I use their products on both my cars and Catalina Sailboat. When the product first came on the market, in a TV ad, an actor would go into a junkyard and picked out an old car with badly oxidized paint and clean it, bring the paint back to life. The ozidized gelcoat on your boat will end up on the cloth you are using so have several available.