After almost 200 hours into my cap rail renewal (report to follow soon -
I learned a lot), I'm planning the next project - gel coat/paint
cleaning and protecting.  I've been reading a lot and searching through
catalogs and have a couple of questions:

1. Random orbital buffer.  Is this the suggested method for applying
   protective material?  I'm thinking of getting the cordless West Marine
   unit since draping extension cords onto my dinghy while working with a
   heat gun this Summer has scared me enough.  In general, I'll be doing
   this waxing/polishing while the boat is moored.  The hull will be done
   by shimmying along in the dinghy - I've worked out many techniques for
   doing this on my boat.

2. 3M - I generally love their stuff.  A lot of people suggest using the
   Finesse-It product with a buffer once or twice a year.  The catalogs
   specifically say that Finesse-It "contains no wax or silicone."  This
   made me think...do I need wax?  Is this a two step process or can
   something polish and protect the hull and topsides in one step?

3. Any other tips for this on-going project?

By the way, we're leaving Maine in two weeks for TrawlerFest/Solomons
(I'm a speaker).  We'll be proudly flying our TWL burgee en route!
After TrawlerFest, we're taking our first trip down the ICW headed for
Jacksonville, FL.  Are there any others leaving TrawlerFest going South?

Cheers!

================
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53PH
Castine, Maine

I use a random orbital buffer with good results. As far as the polishing /
wax question, there's nothing that will do both and last. If the gelcoat is
in poor shape, I'd use 3M's brown compound first, then their clear coat
polish, then wax with Collinite's fleetwax paste. This was lasts longer than
anything else I've ever seen, and every time Powerboat Reports tests waxes,
it comes out on top as well.

If your gel coat is in pretty good shape, you can just use the clear coat
polish, or just the wax if it's pristine. You do need some type of wax to
protect the gelcoat and give it that nice shine.

Keith
__
"A whim, once watered with imagination, becomes
a dream and the best time to take your first step toward a dream
is always yesterday; the worst time: tomorrow. Our best compromise
is today." - Alvah Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Siegel" jeffrey.siegel@activecenter.com
To: trawler-world-list@lists.samurai.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 2:19 PM
Subject: TWL: Waxes, cleaners, compounds...

Hi Keith (and everyone else),

Isn't your KK42 LP'd (painted)?  I thought there was a different protocol
for taking care of Linear Poly painted boats?

Frank & Claudette Weismantel
Elverta, CA
Boatless for a little while longer

-----Original Message-----
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