Purchased a PC-7424XP to Shine Up the Mariah

Dsg03svt · 04-16-2012, 11:48 PM

I just recently purchased my 2000 Mariah Shabah 222 and although it is decent condition, it could use a good detailing. There is light - mild oxidation on the gelcoat and the interior is a little dirty.

I had considered paying a boat detailer to come out and clean it up for this summer but after doing a little research I think I can tackle this myself.

I just bought a Porter Cable 7424XP variable speed random orbital polisher with 3 different pads along with Meguiar's marine restoration set. This includes an oxidation remover, polish, and finishing wax.

I plan to tackle this on Wednesday morning. I'll be sure to take plenty of before/after pictures. I will be performing this while the boat is in my slip on the lift.

The route I plan to take is use the cutting pad w/ oxidation remover first, then the polish pad with polish second and then either wax by hand or with the polisher and finishing pad depending on what seems best at the time.

If anyone is interested the PC-7424XP is only $89 shipping on Amazon right now. I also purchased the Meguiar's Velcro backing plate and pads so I can change them out faster.

Does anyone have any pointers that I should be aware of while doing this or is there anything I should remember to bring with me aside from the above and a couple beers?

***mikeyt*** · 04-17-2012, 12:15 AM

Only two beers?

Bring a couple of pounds of chicken wings (medium for me) too.

Dsg03svt · 04-17-2012, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Only two beers?

Bring a couple of pounds of chicken wings (medium for me) too.

With all the maneuvering I have to do to stand on the lift while buffing I'm thinking anything more than a couple will have me swimming at the dock. Good call on the chicken wings. There is a grill at the marina I can BBQ while there!

On a different note, is it ok to polish over the decals on the side of the boat?

***mikeyt*** · 04-17-2012, 02:27 AM

I've polished over mine and it doesn't seem to have any negative effect.

Dsg03svt · 04-19-2012, 02:00 PM

*edit: not sure why the pictures won't load. If you open them in another tab they work fine...

Finally got it all polished up yesterday. Looks like a different boat! I probably took 5 years off of it just yesterday alone.

A few things I experienced yesterday:

1. The PC-7424XP wasn't up to the task of removing the level of oxidation that this boat had. I didn't realize how badly oxidized it was until I couldn't get it off with the buffer using the meguiars cutting pad and meguiars oxidation remover. I had to go pick up an orbital buffer with a wool pad and 3M Cutting compound. Once I made the switch, the oxidation was no match. I do feel that the PC-7424 will come in handy for normal upkeep on the boat and car when heavy oxidation isn't a problem.

2. My arms were about to fall off. Buffing a boat on a lift in a slip is no easy task. Would have been much easier had the boat been out of water and on a trailer. I plan to go back over the boat once I take it out for my wake tower install middle of may. I could not get the very back of the boat nor the front bow area very well.

3. After the waxing the boat is super smooth. Before it felt and looked chalky, now I can run my hand across the paint and it feels perfect.

4. This should have been a 2 day project. With a 22' boat, it would have been better had I planned to do this over two days. After finishing one side of the boat, my arms were toast and it would have been better to stop and do the other side the next day. Even after all that I still had to wax. Luckily I had some helpers with me (wife, and mother-in-law) who not only detailed the inside, but even helped with the polish/wax.

Now we are about to head back out there and enjoy it on the water today with some friends! Can't wait! Here are the pictures from yesterday.

Dredd · 04-19-2012, 02:23 PM

It's a little tricky getting hotlinking from Flickr. You need the URL to the image itself rather than the page the image is on.
Good post and great results. Thanks for sharing.

Dsg03svt · 04-19-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dredd

It's a little tricky getting hotlinking from Flickr. You need the URL to the image itself rather than the page the image is on.
Good post and great results. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Dredd! I went ahead a switched it but now it's flickr's fault saying they are unavailable. I think probably cause they are linked twice.

It was funny yesterday, I was thinking to myself about 10 minutes in, man I really enjoy this. The cool weather, nice breeze, and seeing the transformation of this boat take place. I was thinking to myself, I could do this for a living! Then about 4 hours later I thought never mind