Aquabuff-Rallysport Resurrection

[mike24]

nice job boat looks nice that aqaua buff ,do you need to sand prior or can you just buff it

[SFRacing]

just buff. I am assuming he used AB2000. That is more than enough for most heavy oxidation jobs. There is a heavier cut AB1000, but it is not usually necessary, Aquabuff 2000 will do the trick on almost anything. Try using windex instead of misting with water when buffing (read that on here and it was a great tip).

[VELOCITOY]

C-2.5...That is the ramp on the causeway to Nahant...I have a 3.6 Erude on mine as well...My boat is white, red,w/black pin stripe...I sold a BUNCH of Rally sports on Winni back in the 1980's early 90's...Mine was originaly rigged with a 200 Yammi...I bought it back from the guy I sold it to...My son melted that motor down and got a good deal on the V=8...We labeled them as CARRAZZA's...They run pretty good with the V-8's but a 2.4 or 2.5 is probably a "better" handling boat in the rough stuff....Where do you live?.....Jay..ps: Do I know you?...

[Checkmate2.5]

just buff. I am assuming he used AB2000. That is more than enough for most heavy oxidation jobs. There is a heavier cut AB1000, but it is not usually necessary, Aquabuff 2000 will do the trick on almost anything. Try using windex instead of misting with water when buffing (read that on here and it was a great tip).

No I sanded. 220, 400, 800, 1000, 1500 and then AB 2000.
Ive done a few boats that had diffrent levels of oxidation and the Aquabuff alone is never enough. There is always going to be a layer of wax, dirt, oxidation etc and you need to at least get that **** off with 1000g before you start with the AB.

[Checkmate2.5]

C-2.5...That is the ramp on the causeway to Nahant...I have a 3.6 Erude on mine as well...My boat is white, red,w/black pin stripe...I sold a BUNCH of Rally sports on Winni back in the 1980's early 90's...Mine was originaly rigged with a 200 Yammi...I bought it back from the guy I sold it to...My son melted that motor down and got a good deal on the V=8...We labeled them as CARRAZZA's...They run pretty good with the V-8's but a 2.4 or 2.5 is probably a "better" handling boat in the rough stuff....Where do you live?.....Jay..ps: Do I know you?...

I dont know do you? I live in Marblehead. My dad had a blue white superboat back in the 80's. Ive been on the water here in some sort of speedboat all my life so odds are you might have seen me. You might have sold the original owner my boat then? There is a Carrazza around here with a 2.5 thats pretty quick too. Im pleased with the V8 so far. I need to replace the PCU this year, get a jackplate and start messing with props and I should be running in the 80's then. How fast is yours and how is it setup??
Geoff

[Superboat Rob]

Hey Geoff,

I aquabuffed my boat last year but i think i really need to sand it prior, like you recommend, how do you suggest to do it? Sand paper or sand paper on a block, does it need to be wet? any suggestions would be great planing on sanding with 1000 and 1500 grit.
-ROB-

[Checkmate2.5]

Block sanding w/ soapy water is the best way. Always sand front to back not up and down etc. and then Aquabuff it, then polish it (low speed) w/ some good marine wax.

[Superboat Rob]

thanks geoff i appreciate it!

[Checkmate2.5]

NP.
I see you have a new motor! Nice. Have you run her yet? Im curious to see how the 2.5 compares the 3.0

[Checkmate2.5]

Here is a pic of the other part of the resto - the trailer. I still have to install the LED lights, the diamond plate fenders and steps, pinstriping and some decals, but its comming along. I also polished the rims w/ some flitz and they came out pretty nice. I was going to get some new rims but now I dont have too

[supergenius74]

good job, thanks for posting all the info. I just bought aquabuff 1000 and 2000 and you are right, heavy oxidation needs more than the AB1000. Also windex works great, I am taking pictures and will try to post my results, 600 grit seems to work good for my worst spots and it was really hard for me to do it because at first you are leary about taking sandpaper to your boat hull but it takes out all the scratches and dullness and the aquabuff brings back the shine very well. -shane

[Checkmate2.5]

Thanks and you're welcome Shane. Im glad it helped
What Ive learned from all this is that basically anything can be polished to a brilliant luster using this basic process of increasingly finer abrasives. Plastic, Metal etc can all be done too.
Ive even worked up enough nerve to start sanding parts of my motorcycle. I might decide to polish the frame at some point.

[supergenius74]

Update: after doing extensive sanding to my heavily oxidized deck I had to move to 220 grit for the bad spots but even that isn't enough, so now i am going over it with 120 grit. This seems to be working, i was a bit nervous at first but to be honest with you gel coat (at least mine) is really hard, rock hard it's like sanding rock and if you use 1000 grit or 120 grit only a little comes off when you wet sand. This is a lot of work, but i know it will pay off, I have no doubt that aqua buff is really good compound for polishing the gel coat but in my case it is all about the wet sand, AB1000 doesn't even phase by bad spots, and neither does 220 grit.