Removing Rub Mark from Fiberglass

[Dave S]

I am looking for advice on a type of polishing compound you have successfully utilized that I could place on a power buffer to remove a surface rub in my boats fiberglass clear coat. Any suggestions on type of buffer pad for polishing fiberglass would also be very much appreciated. Trying to get the "Old Boat" polished up before I winterize it in several months.

[Rob RRT]

Go to an auto body supply store and get some 3M "Finesse IT" polishing compound. It is white and about the consistency of hand lotion with a fine polishing grit. Rub the mark with a wool polishing pad and that should fix it up good as new.

[Dodge1]

Do yourself favor before you start using an aggressive polish on your boat and search the net for information on “gel coat” You’ll find that a boats gel coat layer is extremely thin and please believe me when I tell you that the last thing you want to do is remove a substantial portion of it by using an aggressive polishing product.

You can contact these people for assistance http://www.meguiars.com/customer_care/index.cfm

I use the following buffer pads: http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?SKUupsell=10626 and http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?SKUupsell=10628

For those that are interested, imho, this is probably the best buffer you can buy.
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/pr7424.htm?L+coastest+rshd3436ffd782d7+1063136792

[Buff]

Dodge,

The slowest speed on that Porter Cable is 2500 rpm, a little fast.
I would go with a variable speed unit since most gell coat and clear coat finished do not like high speed buffing and risk getting burn marks. (Older lacquers tend to do well with higher speed buffing)

Try Makita or (heavy) Milwaukee 7 inch buffers with electronic speed control. A little more costly (about $180-200) but very versatile and easy to use.

[Jayman]

My first question would be, What kind of rub mark is it? Is it actually gelcoat damage or is it something that rubbed off on the gel coat? Like a rubber skid mark from a dock....etc.

Give Gel Gloss a try if it's on the surface of the gelcoat. This stuff is amazing.

No, I'm not affiliated with Gel Gloss, maybe I should be, that stuff works.

[Dodge1]

Buff,

I had the same reaction as you did at first about the speed but after doing a little more homework I found that the Porter Cable random orbital polisher is extremely safe to use. Of course you can get into trouble by not following the directions and/or by using an overly aggressive product but that stand true for any buffer/polisher.

FYI – the Porter Cable random orbital polisher is the only buffer/polisher recommended by both Meguiars and Griots. I’ve been using mine for just over a year now and swear by it.

http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showproducts_template.cfm?SrcLine=BT

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10625

[Buff]

Dodge,

Ya learn something new every day. thanks for the info. Now how can I get another tool into the garage without her noticing!!!

[Dave S]

The couple rub marks and the primary marks are from trees / logs in the water that rubbed up against the side of the boat.

I have a rub mark from the trailer fender which left a little paint on the fiberglass loading the boat in a wind storm and couple of marks on the bow from the bow roller. Removing the bow black rubber roller marks and paint will be completely different as you implied as the rubber/ paint is over the top of the gell coat.

[Dave S]

Thanks for the helpfull links. I have requested a catalog from Mequires. Like you say the last thing one wants to do is remove the adjacent gell coat with an abrasive cleaner.

Can you share with me the features that you particularly find attractive with the referenced polisher as compared to others you have seen or used?

Thanks for all of your suggestions. :)

[Dodge1]

Rather then just have my opinion on this polisher you can visit this site and read the reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004SUQ8/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/103-1176724-7655043?v=glance&s=home-garden&vi=customer-reviews

My observations after a years use are that the polisher really worked wonders on my Skeeter, truck and wife’s car. Not that I look forward to waxing anything but at least with this polisher it’s no where the chore it used to be.

I especially like the random orbital polishing pattern that all but insures you won’t end up “burning” the paint/gel coat. The speed dial is a handy feature vs. other polishers trigger speed control, where you’re never really certain of what RPM’s your polishing at. The handle can be mounted on the left or right side, depending on need. It’s not too heavy but feels like it’s built like tank. The hook & loop pad makes changing pads a snap and with the larger counterweight installed vibration is all but eliminated.

FYI – I’ve been using the polisher with the speed set at 3 and have been using the following products on my boat.

Meguires “body shop professional hand polish”
Meguires “swirl remover”
Meguires “boat/rv pure was”
The orange and yellow pads from Griots

If you do decide to purchase this polisher, I can recommend costaltool.com, which I provided a link to on my first post. The reason I say this is because it comes with a bonus kit that includes the 6” hook & loop pad and the larger counterweight (which you’ll find reduces the vibration to almost nil) and the price is reasonable.

[Dodge1]

I used to have those black rubber roller marks but this permanently cured that problem.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0013348014917a&navAction=push&navCount=2&indexId=cat21388&podId=0013348&catalogCode=ID&parentId=cat21388&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276&hasJS=true

[Jayman]

Dave,
go to a hardware store and get a can of the Gel Gloss. It's a fiberglass cleaner and polisher. It'll get all those marks out.

Also, once Gel Gloss is applied, your boat will clean up much easier the next time you wash it.

[Dave S]

Dodge1: You are right on track with your recomemdation to change out the black rubber bow roller. I did exactly as you suggested several years ago and haven't removed the old rubber marks from the previous black rubber roller. The type of bow roller you suggest really does help to reduce bow marks.

[Dave S]

Jayman:

Thanks for you suggestions on removing all those miscellaneous marks. Need to give the boat a "Good Cleanup" this Fall. Will see if I can find the Gell Gloss you suggested.

[Dave S]

Dodge 1 Thanks so much for sharing information on how you polish your boat and vehicles. The buffer you suggest comes with very high recommendations. Sounds like a good item to place on my "Christmas List" :)