Best Cleaner/Wax For Imron

[rrrestorer]

Finesse it is a polish. To make it last and not be washed off , you must wax it.
We have been using it in autobody shops forever, but we always follow up the finesse it with a good quality wax.

[TopHattandTails]

I asked this same question to the local boat detail'er who is known for his polish jobs. He said use Finesse It II compound then "his secret polymer sealant" (his crews don't even know what the stuff is - but it looks great). He also said to use a waffle pad on an orbiter at low speed. The waffle pad reduces streaks better than a regular pad.

[stormchaser]

Got a question for you stormy, when was the last time you saw somebody waxing their boat in temps lower than 50 degrees?

Thanks for the input guys, did I mention I'm having a boat polishing party on June 27?

I missed a 0...the activation temp for teflon is slightly higher than 500*F! Sorry. In other words...the teflon won't actually stick to the paint...it just gets removed when you buff. It literally adds nothing...same deal with PTFE based oil additives...pure snake oil.

[True Grit]

I have a 1987 55 and its original Imron paint job that I used Finesse it II on and then sealed with Rejex like synthetic "wax". My experience was that I could get a good shine but it was a lot of work. I had to use the synthetic wax to get depth and since I keep the boat near the airport would get black streaks occuring within two weeks and I was back at it again. Bottom line is I gave up and painted her with Awlgrip because it was so much work. My paint job was probably a bit more weathered than most. I had a paint specialist look at it and he said she was porous.

TG

[JuiceClark]

This was a good ol' thread.

My Imron has been neglected for years. I've given it about 10 brisk washes since buying it 10 months ago, but now it's time for a little shine.

Is this the stuff I should buff it with?? Or do I use the Finesse It II?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11500503781...Bk9SR_r_p53RXw

[edward]

You could clear coat the Imron.

[JuiceClark]

You could clear coat the Imron.

I'll probably have it painted from the rub rail up in the next couple years. IMO there are too many aged and beat-up areas to cover with clear.
That said, I've looked at so many boats with the clear coat peeling. I really liked a 48 Ricker before I found this Hatteras, but it was peeling clear coat everywhere. It was such a deal breaker, he sold that beauty for $30k. I'd be worried whomever I hire spray the clear wouldn't do sufficient prep.

[edward]

Yes the prep is about 95% of the process.

[Freeebird]

This was a good ol' thread.

Yep, ole' two-stroke Sparky could come up with a good one now and then.

Was surprised to see such an old thread get bumped. Just out of curiosity why not just start a new one? That's not criticism or a complaint, just wondering.

Speaking of wondering, it seems ceramic coating is all the rage these days, but I haven't heard of anyone using it on Imron or similar finishes. Based on what people are paying for ceramic coating on cars and motorhomes, I can only imagine what it would cost to have it done on a 50'+ Hatt.

[RyanB]

This was a good ol' thread.

My Imron has been neglected for years. I've given it about 10 brisk washes since buying it 10 months ago, but now it's time for a little shine.

Is this the stuff I should buff it with?? Or do I use the Finesse It II?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11500503781...Bk9SR_r_p53RXw

My 36 hadn't been waxed in at least 5 years when I bought it. I used the Finesse It II and then the 3M Perfect It boat wax, and the results were pretty damn incredible. It was almost fun to cut and wax it, because the result was such a huge difference and the luster was like new paint. Even the blue boot stripe went from being dull to a like mirror finish.

Myself and a friend, two Dewalt Rotary polishers and we finished the hull in a days time. This year we're going to do it again, and expecting it to be much faster as 85% of the work was cutting years of whatever was built up on the surface.

Couple Tiaras gave me a run for my money, but I think she was the prettiest boat in the harbor after the polish. IMG_0853.jpgIMG_0858.jpgIMG_0859.jpg