Hull Polish

Back to "Our Boat"

I really wanted to do a before and after shot of polishing out Catalina 22. Unfortunately we have a really crappy digital camera and it lost, not me, the before image.

Anyhow, our boat was severely oxidized when we bought her last year. I tried using rubbing compound, polishing compound and wax to restore the hull but it was not enough.

This year I decided to get serious. I bought 3m 1200 and 1500 grit wet and dry sandpaper.  Don't use anything but 3m! Ok, I concede that Norton has some good products also.  I wet sanded the entire hull first with 1200 grit and then with 1500. You get a pretty glossy finish with 1500 grit! 

Then I bought a cheap $20 10" car polisher and used 3m Perfect It III Rubbing Compound. This gave it a high gloss. Using the same car polisher, but with a clean buffer I waxed the hull with NuPolish car polish and wax.  Looks great!

I am very happy with the results. But, next time I would use 1000 grit first, then 1200 and finish up with 1500. Why? Because I noticed a few spots that still has some superficial scratches.