New CP-16 owner

[Epic1969]

Hello I recently purchased a 1991 CP-16 the boat appears very solid to my untrained eyes the interior is nearly new. I brought it home power washed it, used detergent and bleach to clean entire boat and it cleaned up real nice. The hull was dull/chalky and not shiny I did a quick buff and shine with mothers oxidation/wax and it helped a little. What can I do to bring the hull to the best finish it can get without painting? I was going to use an orbital buffer with the 3m restorer/wax any other tips to getting it shine? Also, since the boat is on a trailer how the heck do you get to parts covered by the trailer or do most sailers not worry about below the waterline looks?

[Gerry]

Why not paint it?  I hand brushed and feathered enamel on my CP16 (1981).  It looks fine.

[Tom L.]

Doing a proper buffing/polishing and waxing job is very difficult for a boat that has oxidized. Google the process. You will need heavy duty buffers not the orbital type and the skill to use the tool. Not impossible but tedious at best.

Painting is an option. Easy for the hull not so easy for the deck. The deck will require masking the non skid as well as either removing hardware (best) or mask around the hardware.

I tried Poly Glow. The process is relatively simple and easy. I did my 2001 Sun Cat last year and it still looks good. I understand I will have to recoat about every two years.  Again a very easy process. Google poly glow to get the details.

Tom L.

[Salty19]

Welcome to the forum, Eric.

There is a lot of info here on polishing.  I suggest you click the "home" button at the upper left, then in the search window type in "wetsand" without the quotes.  Several posts will come up you should read further.

The wax/cleaner stuff is practically worthless unless your hull is already in good shape.  You need abrasives to take off the chalkiness.

I went from this:




To this...a lot of hard work here to make that happen.