Scratches On Painted Hull

[mlanger]

My R-29 CB is in a charter program -- no judgements, please! -- and is often taken out by careless idiots. As a result, the hull has numerous scratches in its red paint. These same idiots (as well as me, on occasion) have left the fenders down and there are tons of tiny scratches on that same surface. I've been assured by the charter company that the scratches will "buff out." I've tried some auto cleaner/wax I had in the garage and it seems to work on the very fine scratches, but no joy on the ones in the photo.

After being milked by last year's detailer (who quoted me $900 and then tried to charge me $2500 for detailing), I'm determined to try to get the scratches out myself. Can anyone recommend a good product to do this on my boat's hull? I should note here that if any scratches won't buff out, the charter company is responsible for fixing them, but I have to give it a good try and need to address the tiny scratches anyway.

Maria

 

[scross]

First, unless your boat had its hull painted after construction, it’s not paint. It’s gelcoat. There is a difference.

Lots of prior posts on getting the oxidized finish back to near new. Removing oxidized gelcoat involves cleaning the surface, compounding with a rotary buffer and wool pad, then polishing, and finally applying wax or sealant to restore shine. For heavy oxidation like yours, wet sanding with 800, then 1000, then 1200 and finally with 1500 grit may be necessary before compounding. Regular maintenance involves washing and using a heavy-duty cleaner, followed by a UV-inhibiting wax.

There’s a whole mob of owners who swear on ceramic coating after proper prepping to keep the finish like new. The rest of us still use wax that lasts for a few months at best.

For the deep scratches in the gelcoat get a repair kit from Marine Coat One. They have the RT colors. I’d do the localized deep scratch repair before going after the whole hull oxidation.

Just guessing here but I’d expect to spend a minimum of 20-30 hours on just the hull to get the gelcoat finish scratches repaired and removing the oxidation to get the hull looking almost like new again.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I will probably continue to be taken out by "careless idiots". Live with the scratches and when you're ready to take it out of charter, fix the scratches then.

 

[serendipity]

Our 2023 R27 OB is Hero Red and I use Collinite products to buff, wax, polish, and seal each Spring. It takes me a weekend to wash and treat the topsides and hull.

Short of ceramic coatings (ala Channel Surfing’s), we have had good results. We are in New England.

Deep scratches are another issue and require a bit of finesse with gel coat repair. While a painted hull can endure UV better, not much can ward off the “gifts” from careless charter customers.

Our red hulls are certainly prone to more visible UV wear, but even the hallowed light gray hulls are subject to UV (humor intended!).

 

[mlanger]

First, unless your boat had its hull painted after construction, it’s not paint. It’s gelcoat. There is a difference.

Lots of prior posts on getting the oxidized finish back to near new. Removing oxidized gelcoat involves cleaning the surface, compounding with a rotary buffer and wool pad, then polishing, and finally applying wax or sealant to restore shine. For heavy oxidation like yours, wet sanding with 800, then 1000, then 1200 and finally with 1500 grit may be necessary before compounding. Regular maintenance involves washing and using a heavy-duty cleaner, followed by a UV-inhibiting wax....

OK, gel coat. As for "heavy oxidation like" mine, the boat actually looks pretty good. Maybe the photo makes the color look faded? It is definitely not faded. But between the heavy scratches and the fender rash, it's certainly not looking its best. I've gotten limited results with a medium compounding product I bought yesterday while waiting for responses. Clearly, it needs more.

The boat is out of my control for most of the boating season. I can go into reasons why I decided to put it into a charter program — it's not just money — but that would take this way off topic. The boat is washed every time it returns from a weeklong charter, but it is only waxed once a year. Last year I paid more than I expected to for "detailing" so I'll do it myself this year. The good news is I have about a week with it out out of the water at a boat yard to get the job done. I do have a buffer and I'll be nearby a good marine supply store to get a good wax. Can you recommend a brand or any products at all?

 

[mlanger]

I will probably continue to be taken out by "careless idiots". Live with the scratches and when you're ready to take it out of charter, fix the scratches then.

This is not an option. I'm working with one of the best charter operations in Pacific Northwest and they require the boat to be in "like new" condition every season. That includes the exterior finish.

 

[mlanger]

Our 2023 R27 OB is Hero Red and I use Collinite products to buff, wax, polish, and seal each Spring. It takes me a weekend to wash and treat the topsides and hull.

Short of ceramic coatings (ala Channel Surfing’s), we have had good results. We are in New England.

Deep scratches are another issue and require a bit of finesse with gel coat repair. While a painted hull can endure UV better, not much can ward off the “gifts” from careless charter customers.

Our red hulls are certainly prone to more visible UV wear, but even the hallowed light gray hulls are subject to UV (humor intended!).

Thanks for all this. I will look for Collinite products. Can I find them in a good marine store? There are a few near Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham where the boat lives during the season.

I'm definitely not interested in ceramic coatings; I don't expect to own the boat more than perhaps another two years and I don't see any reason to make that kind of investment when I'm not likely to get it back when I sell.

I don't think the red on my boat looks very faded at all. The picture might have been misleading. It sure does polish up nice! I've seen some pretty faded Ranger Tugs and mine is not one of them.

 

[Martin610]

Any good marine store will have Collinite. The wax is excellent as its a hybrid, contains both polymer and carnauba. Lasts longer. To buff out your hull you'll need something a bit more heavy duty, such as 3M's heavy duty compound. Buffer like a Makita or DeWalt and some wool pads. Requires elbow grease too It takes me two or three days. Collinite wax once you're done.

-martin610

 

[mlanger]

Any good marine store will have Collinite. The wax is excellent as its a hybrid, contains both polymer and carnauba. Lasts longer. To buff out your hull you'll need something a bit more heavy duty, such as 3M's heavy duty compound. Buffer like a Makita or DeWalt and some wool pads. Requires elbow grease too It takes me two or three days. Collinite wax once you're done.

Thanks again for all this info. I do have a buffer -- two, in fact -- although I don't think I have a wool pad. I'll hunt one down. I used a medium compound because I was afraid of damaging the surface. Silly me! I'll be brave and try it somewhere on the stern first.

 

[serendipity]

I get our Collinite products from Amazon, but they are readily available elsewhere.

I know that dark colors show oxidation perhaps more visibly than white or light shades. However, a good seasonal regimen should stave off the fade.

As I mentioned earlier, the actual hull/deck work takes me a weekend.

 

[Rocky Lou]

This is not an option. I'm working with one of the best charter operations in Pacific Northwest and they require the boat to be in "like new" condition every season. That includes the exterior finish.

Why is this your problem? If he CIs are damaging your boat, they should be the ones paying for repairs.

Fixing gelcoat scratches is a major effort and there's many youtube videos showing how to do it. I watch them and say, 'I ain't doin' that'. However, I did order the same color gelcoat and painted/wet sanded some tiny ones...even that was not fun at all. FM can give you the name of the gelcoat manufacturer and you will get the original color. Depending on your gelcoat condition, it may need to be color matched, a black art.

 

[mlanger]

Why is this your problem? If he CIs are damaging your boat, they should be the ones paying for repairs.

Fixing gelcoat scratches is a major effort and there's many youtube videos showing how to do it. I watch them and say, 'I ain't doin' that'. However, I did order the same color gelcoat and painted/wet sanded some tiny ones...even that was not fun at all. FM can give you the name of the gelcoat manufacturer and you will get the original color. Depending on your gelcoat condition, it may need to be color matched, a black art.

The charter company considers minor scratches and fender rash "wear and tear." (Ironically, they also considered it aware and tear item when some idiot repeatedly pulled on the latch for the refrigerator with the metal slide locking it closed. That was cheap and easy to fix, though.)

I am not required to repair the gel coat. They will do that at their own cost for me.

 

[mlanger]

As I mentioned earlier, the actual hull/deck work takes me a weekend.

I've got the boat at the yard now and it's blocked up. I planned to work on the gelcoat portion of the hull this week. I'm just waiting for a wool buffer pad to arrive. It was a special order for my buffer and now they're saying it won't come until Thursday. In the meantime, I have plenty of other stuff to do on board. I've got until next Monday to get it all done.