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Captiva 232-Gel coat refinish-Compound, Polish and Wax. Before and after pictures & how I did it.
Skeeter
Member Posts: 6 ✭
Purchased a new to me 2005 Captiva 232 with a 350 MAG Bravo III with under 300 hours on it. She is in really great shape, but I'm on the picky side and wanted it to look as good as she possibly could.
I determined the oxidation was not so bad that I needed to wet sand first, and that I would start with compounding and work my way up from there. This was my first time doing this, so it was all new to me!
Here is the info on how I restored the finish:
Step 2 - You are going to want to mask your decals. I tried it without masking and the compound took the colors off the decal and turned it white. Also, cover your boat with plastic (The areas you are not compounding).
Step 3 Apply a generous amount of rubbing compound (In a crisscross pattern) to the compounding pad.
Step 4 Set your RPM's to 1,800 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side. (For me I did this step twice)
Step 5 Once you have finished compounding the whole side of the boat, use the H20 spray bottle and spray / wipe the side down before proceeding to the next step
Step 6 Apply a generous amount of Finesse-it II (In a crisscross pattern) to the Polishing pad.
Step 7 Set your RPM's to 1,800 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side. - Polish until you have a high gloss and basically streak free surface
Step 8 Using the Performance paste wax, hand apply in a circular motion and let dry to a haze
Step 9 Using the foam polishing pad set your RPM's to 1,200 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side until you have a high gloss finish with almost no marks left behind.
Step 10 Using the micro microfiber towel and wipe any reaming marks off the boat and buff to a high gloss
*Note, I am by no means an expert in this, I'm just showing you what I used and the before and after results. I'm pretty happy with it!
Working on the white portion:
Decals all masked up 7 ready for compounding
After
Before
After
White & Black done!
I determined the oxidation was not so bad that I needed to wet sand first, and that I would start with compounding and work my way up from there. This was my first time doing this, so it was all new to me!
Here is the info on how I restored the finish:
- Dewalt 7/9" Variable Speed polisher with soft start - Qty. 1
- 9" 3M Wool compounding pad (Single sided) #05711 - Qty. 1
- 9" 3M Wool polishing pad (Single sided) #05713 - Qty. 1
- 9" 3M Foam polishing pad #05725 - Qty. 1
- 3M Marine Rubbing compound # 09004 - Qty 1-1/2 quarts
- 3M Marine Finesse-It II Finishing Material - Qty 1 quart
- 3M Marine Ultra Performance paste wax
- 3M Vinyl tape #471 Qty one 1"Wide, one 1/2" wide
- H20 misting bottle - Qty 1
- Meguiar's Marine boat soap - Qt 1
- Terry cloth rags (White ones) Qty 1 package
- Microfiber towels - Qty 1
- Blue painters masking tape.
- Plastic to cover parts of the boat / trailer not be refinished. The wool pads and compound make a mess
Step 2 - You are going to want to mask your decals. I tried it without masking and the compound took the colors off the decal and turned it white. Also, cover your boat with plastic (The areas you are not compounding).
Step 3 Apply a generous amount of rubbing compound (In a crisscross pattern) to the compounding pad.
Step 4 Set your RPM's to 1,800 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side. (For me I did this step twice)
Step 5 Once you have finished compounding the whole side of the boat, use the H20 spray bottle and spray / wipe the side down before proceeding to the next step
Step 6 Apply a generous amount of Finesse-it II (In a crisscross pattern) to the Polishing pad.
Step 7 Set your RPM's to 1,800 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side. - Polish until you have a high gloss and basically streak free surface
Step 8 Using the Performance paste wax, hand apply in a circular motion and let dry to a haze
Step 9 Using the foam polishing pad set your RPM's to 1,200 + / - 1,000 and work a 2' X 2' area at a time methodically covering the area top to bottom and then side to side until you have a high gloss finish with almost no marks left behind.
Step 10 Using the micro microfiber towel and wipe any reaming marks off the boat and buff to a high gloss
*Note, I am by no means an expert in this, I'm just showing you what I used and the before and after results. I'm pretty happy with it!
Working on the white portion:
Decals all masked up 7 ready for compounding
After
Before
After
White & Black done!
Comments
2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
Mine ended up like an actual mirror after 4 hours of work..
If he cannot come the offer is the same, to J3ff
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Here is my '03 232 after the Finesse it II and Collenite wax.
randy56 - Ha Ha, Thanks! Beer huh? Hmmmm, OK, head over to the Alchemist Brewery in Stow Vermont and grab some cases of Heady Topper And some Hop Crushers
AccidentalSuperstar - No problem, I like single sheet step by step instructions!
Dream_Inn - Thanks for the compliment! Black (Or darker hulls) are such a trade-off for sure. What color is yours?
69fastback - I almost bought that Collenite. Question, do you use it for the bottpm of the hull too? I'm getting ready to hand apply / remove a coat on the bottom of the hull and I have not decided if I'm going to use the 3M Ultra paste wax or the Meguiars Marine one step cleaner wax #50, or even Nu-finish. By the way, your boat looks really good!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express