Fiberglass Boat Polishing (3M Marine Restorer & Wax)

[@cap2c484]

This was a great video for me. I am not a pro, so this showed how I can quickly get materials and get a result I will be happy with and not damage my boat. I do not want to be a professional detailer, and you showed us how to get it done. Thank you!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

That is exactly what I was going for. Happy to help!

[@pauldavidson2520]

As a brand new sailboat owner, this was very helpful. I'm going to give it a try. I've heard folks using this also on the cockpit of their boats and other flat parts of their deck. I'm assuming it would work just as well on the flat parts of the topside of the boat, correct?

[@Rendonlxi]

I used 3m perfect-it does great as well

[@emmottataolcom]

will multiple applications with 3M restorer yield better results with heavy oxidation?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Yes it should work, but you might be better off using a heavier compound or rotary buffer. Think of polishing like a really find sandpaper. It will work but may take a long time.

[@justinashley7673]

Enjoyed the video. Quick question. I have been using Meguire's compound all in one wax. Thinking about making the switch to 3m. Have you used both and which would you say was better. Thank You!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Hi there! I have never used the maguires I hear they have good stuff though. For me if the boat needs to be polished or it's not looking very clean I opt for just a polish then wax after. If it just needs a touch up then I will use polish and wax.

[@rdeh1678]

To be honestthe Maguires marine line is not that great , it will work , but the best I have used for boats is Starke level R heavy cut compound( for oxidation) their ignition polish is really good as well , I also get great results from menzerna marine products , for wax I use Presta HydroProtek which is a ceramic based marine wax last a long time great shine , and very easy to use . , but I only polish maybe 1 boat a week most of my detailing jobs are classic and exotic cars .

[@rdeh1678]

Hint do not use the detail spray use panel prep next time , it removes old wax and dirt build up .

[@bobby3849]

great clip thank you

[@andrescolumbiepa]

Thanks for the video, I will be trying this out this weekend.

[@dirtzilla500]

the question is, how long will the 3m look nice, ? should u apply a good wax after the 3 m ?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Like any polish it will only last if you wash, wax and repeat. Unprotected surfaces will fade and oxidize.

[@fallingjeff]

How does it do over pen stripe and decals? I’m a little worried that the grit may damage them.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

I tested polishing over it and it seemed okay so either go over it or tape over to protect

[@fallingjeff]

Gotcha! Thanks!

[@TallStarlite]

One product to do one job done right the first time unlike the fancy 4,6,8 or 10 part systems that cost an arm and a leg just to do one job!!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Yup. More steps could yield a higher a shine, but this works really well.

[@Mbtharp1]

How long did the shine last? Debating between this or the 3 step meguiars system for my 2000 Astro boat that’s pretty oxidized.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Still looks decent could use another go and it's been 3 or 4 years. I also don't keep up with waxing. If you wash and wax it regular it should last forever.

[@Mbtharp1]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel thanks for the quick response! I’m gonna give this a whirl. Worst case I do the 3 step down the road

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@Mbtharp1 Yea give it ago! Make sure the surface is super clean when your start. Let me know how it turns out. And don't forget to subscribe.

[@evenstargalaxy9586]

Do you need to wax after this process?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

You don't have to but it's not a bad idea.

[@johnbieback4735]

Nice....very nice...thank you for the video .👍

[@silvanomoreira5407]

Hello, I am thinking to have a small sauna in the after cabin of my glass fiber sailboat? May this project go well if I investering in a proper isolation? Or is that just an insane idea?

[@adantorres3460]

Wow that looks great

[@ronchivers8909]

Can it be used in direct sunlight?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

The polish will dry out quicker in direct sunlight and may become chalky. I would advise to not do that. If there is no other option you can try working a smaller area or spray a very small amount of water onto the pad if the polish gets too dry. Goodluck and don't forget to subscribe.

[@chrisbarnett3565]

What kinda of pad did you use ?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Link in description

[@davidrobertson4538]

I just bought this stuff for my boat. But my boat is primarily white.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Nice. Should work good.

[@nomadequipment2177]

Looks great!😃👍🏻

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Thanks!

[@thinkrite-youtube]

Can you use Mothers CMX ceramic spray before or after applying the wax? Thanks!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

So you have a few options. You could use the 3M which has wax built into it and spray after. It might not last as long because ceramics are usually supposed to be applied to the paint / gel with nothing on them. So you could wipe down the surface with a mixture of 50 /50 water and isopropyl alcohol. Or you could use a different polish with no wax and then apply the ceramic. Even if you use a different polish you need to wipe down with IPA it preps the surface to bond with cermaic wax. Thanks for watching don't forget to subscribe.

[@thinkrite-youtube]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel Thanks so much for the response. Super helpful. Have a great Memorial Day!!! (subscribed) : )

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@thinkrite-youtube No problem! Happy memorial day to you too. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@motorv8N]

Nice job - thanks for posting

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Glad to help. Dont forget to subscribe!

[@Popareeno]

What if your boat does not have a gel coat? Can you still use this process

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

What does your boat have?

[@Popareeno]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel I'm not sure it's a 1976 Glastron, it's my first boat and it looks pretty rough lol. When you rub your finger on it your fingers turn white and its not shiny at all.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@Popareeno Could be really old gel coat. I would suggest doing a test section with polish and a cloth. The old finish might not be repairable if it's too thin.

[@c.juneau410]

GOTTA 2005 HONDA JET SKI, THINKING ABOUT USING A COMPOUND WAX THEN A CLEANER WAX AFTER. WHAT YOU THINK?? TIPS?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

If you want to do a multistep process I suggest doing a "cut" with a compound then polishing with polishing compound and then apply wax. This will yield better results than what I did.

[@c.juneau410]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel NOT SURE WHAT A "CUT" MEANS, BUT IS THAT LIKE A LIGHT SANDING.??

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@c.juneau410 All polishing and compounding products are essentially sanding your surface. They have "grit" in them a cut would be using a more aggressive compound (if needed). You always want to use the least aggressive method.

[@c.juneau410]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel AH OKAY, I SEE. YEA, I BOUGHT THIS 3" BUFFING WHEEL KIT THAT ATTACHES TO A DRILL. ITS TECHNICALLY A (HEADLIGHT RESTORE KIT FROM HARBOR FREIGHT). IT HAS 3000 GRIT SANDING PADS AND FOAM PADS AS WELL. I WAS GONNA TRY SOME COMPOUND WAX WITH THE 3000 SANDING THEN CLEANER WAX WITH FOAM PAD. ?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@c.juneau410 look up polishing basics I would not recommend using polish with sand paper. You likely dont need sand paper at all on fiberglass. You can do a lot of damage of you don't know what your doing.

[@paisa007]

Thanks!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Of course! Don't forget to subscribe!

[@stevesanderson8360]

Lose the random orbital polisher. Rotary my boy, rotary.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

I know you can get better result, but this is what I had and there is way less risk to damage the gel coat.

[@frandanco6289]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel Damage the gel coat?? You do not know how hard gelcoat is do you?? Your random orbital = if it doesnt blow up on you, it will take forever and you may still not have the best result..

[@rodthrust3108]

I bought some 3M boat wax and it was hard to remove.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Maybe it wasn't fully worked?

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Or the surface was hot?

[@88krazie]

Try a rotary next time, it will get that done ALOT faster!

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

The big advantage of dual action for me was low risk and no holograms. I also own one.

[@jth877]

@@OutdoorsmanChannel - Nah, not much of a risk on gelcoat with a wool pad and rotary. I just tried it and I have only used a DA before on automobiles. Megs ultimate compound on 100% wool came out like glass. On moderate oxidation it took about 2-3 passes with pressure around 2k rpm. Bumped it up to 2.5k rpm with light pressure for finishing.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@jth877 Good tips thanks for sharing!

[@88krazie]

You should also clay it, synthetic clay pads

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

I definitely could've clayed it, but the surface didn't feel too rough. I always clay cars before polishing.

[@c.juneau410]

SORRY, THE JET SKI IS RED AND HAS SOME OXIDATION ON HULL.

[@gartoy]

Looks good, but It won't last very long

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Been years and its holding up great! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelsolis2674]

Its nice to have kool tools but can get same results from elbow grease and rags...

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Like I said in my last comment... more than one way to skin a cat.

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

@@Siggydawg hahaha

[@michaelsolis2674]

@@Siggydawg its called being a Man cupcake I don't need technology it sucz!

[@Jay-en7bw]

@@michaelsolis2674 being a man? Man has learnt to work smarter not harder just addmit your no good with tools because you are one jokes but really you why make your life harder for somthing you won't be paid for

[@mrsir2378]

@@michaelsolis2674 says the guy using a smartphone on KZbin lol

[@maximolotov]

I bet if the boat is white you can just wax it and it will look perfect

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Try and let me know

[@dylandouglas6211]

Did you use one pad for the whole boat 🤦‍♂️

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Thanks for watching! You can definitely use one pad for the whole boat. Just make sure you blow it out with air regularly. If you notice it's not polishing well cleaning it out with water and letting it dry also helps.

[@mikesanders902]

Bucha dots everywhere... go to the boat..

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

Huh?

[@derekmulford8649]

3m looks decant, but doesn't last more than 3-4 months

[@OutdoorsmanChannel]

With additional wax it should last a very long time.