compound or fine grit sanding?

[mikeskeetr]

So, I have this red boat that has quite the heavy oxidation on it.

I bought some 3M super duty and went to town on a small section... Turns out that under the red is a nice, dark rich, 'blood red' that I am guessing may have been the original color (its STUNNINGLY beautiful), and the compound is bringing it out.

So, my 2 questions are:

1) Any opinions as to if this is just oxidation or maybe a newer paint job went over it?

2) Is it possible to remove heavy oxidations with maybe a 320 grit (wet or dry) sanding, then wet sand to 1000, compound, finess-it, and wax? Or would that just kill the gelcoat altogether?

Mind you, the blotchiness came from compounding EXCESSIVELY (4x) to this point in a small 1'x1 1/2' on the transom just above the rub rail (more oxidation above than below rub rail). It is super smooth - so its not like the compound didn't do its job - and when waxed both reds shine nicely - I just like the deeper red much better. In the end I am wondering if there is a safe way to bring it out without having to paint it or without damaging the gelcoat.

I know someone posted a similar query recently, so I apologize in advance if I sound a little like a broken record...but the fact that it took a lot of compounding for this to show up makes me wonder if it can be saved at all...

Thanks!

- Mike

 

[David M]

IMHO, the less aggressive the better. If compounding will do it, compound. I have used Aurora with great results on my Regal. Lighter oxidation than you describe though. Red boats are like black cars. They look great when they're clean but a b!tch to keep that way.

Good luck.

Post some before and after shots.

 

[sbw1]

Use the finest compound you can use to make it blood red. Once you're there use a very fine compound to bring up the shine and then wax with a good product to protect the shine. If compound won't do the trick, then you are going to have to wet sand it with a fine grit paper. Again start with the finest paper and then go to compound and wax to finish.

 

[Shadowcruzr]

If you wet sand you'll need to go up to 2000 grit working up in stages. Otherwise you'll have a bunch of shiny scratches.