I spent this morning wet rubbing my top sides with 1200 grade. It has worked very well but it didn't remove brown stains above the water line (from slime growth) and the brown stains at the stern that look like but aren't rust stains.
I expect an acid wash might remove them. More rubbing won't, it makes no impression.
Any ideas?
If it does need an acid wash, should I wait until that has been done before I do a final rub with 2000 grade and then a compound and polish/wax.
Hi MB, have you tried oxalic acid on the stains. Use it for cleaning all sorts of surfaces at work. Treat the stains before rubbing. Let us know how you get on .
Cheers
Ken
Oxalic acid is the go John but be very careful using it. Rubber gloves, goggles and even respirator. It will go through your skin and attack your internal organs.
If you can use a spray bottle at arm's length and then hose off with fresh water soon after, it will remove the rust like stains.
Presumably you have two pack paint on your topsides. After the acid treatment a buff and polish will stop it coming back too soon.
The Bird is getting a birthday eh??
Just a clean up, she has gone two years since the last slip and due for another one. The growth was minimal and I could have got away with an in water scrub by my local diver but I reckon two years is long enough between thorough out of water checks. My cockpit drains were almost choked by shells.
I still have the original gelcoat and it is scrubbing up pretty well considering I have neglected it for a few years and the previous owner a few years before that. There are chips, scrapes and various blemishes but I should be able to get a decent shine. A mate of mine has just done his S&S34 and it came up very well indeed. He lives locally to the slip and has more time so has spent a great deal of time on it but it has been worth it. My effort is a top side rub back, compound, polish and wax without spending too much time on it.
I'm getting her ready for an attempt on Lord Howe next month. The anti foul, replace cockpit drain fittings and sea cocks, rig check, tighten the bolts on the Fleming, cabin sole revarnish, I've serviced the engine, done a few other jobs and will be trying another prop. Hopefully she will be ready to go cruising.
I have a related question about getting and keeping the topsides looking their best so rather than starting a new thread I figured I would just add to this one.
I have noticed of late a lot of boats are opting for a respray with 2 pack paints above the waterline. They always end up looking amazing but does anybody have any comment on the longevity of such a finish? I currently just have the old gel coat that gets an acid wash and a buff up with a polishing compound each year at our annual haul out. This helps and you can tell the difference after it is done but certainly don't get the shiny glossy finish that you get after a respray.
My concern is this. If you opt for a respray with the two pack paint are you not then committing yourself to repeating the process again at regular intervals in the future. After all it's paint and that needs recoating right?
All the painted boats I have seen have paint peeling along the edges eg at the toe rail and look very average after 5 or so years.
While modern paints will be better the advice I have is a respray will be needed every 5 to 10 years depending on your standards.
My personal view is that a wet and dry rub back then a compound, polish and wax every few years and an occasional acid wash and polish will keep a boat presentable.
The proviso is that it has a good thick gel coat to start with.
Once it has been painted you can't do much with it and can't go back. It is a one way decision.
Would you believe 'Jif' works well as a hull cleaner,either the cream or gel types.Our land based Econocycle waste water treatment, recommends it as a household cleaner as well because it is non-toxic and is one of the few that does not kill off the microbes in the poo tank.
Apart from that,I am heading to LHI from Nov 30-Dec 8,but taking the 'Tin pidgeon this time.Let me know if you are around there at that time.Cheers C.R.
I plan to be at LHI around 13 Nov for the BBQ rally. While I have crew if anybody is still interested let me know.
