Graphics Issue!

Please forgive the stupid question but I need to know how to polish and wax the hull without messing up the original graphics which are painted on. I would like to have them painted back but how can I protect them when I'm trying to improve the shine. Any info would be great.

79nautique wrote: don't wax the side or bottom of the hull it will just create a scum line and will yellow below the waterline.

I've hear this before. However, I wonder if it's subject to what water you're in, and how long you leave the boat in the water. I've waxed the sides and hull of my boats for over 10 years, and never noticed any yellowing. However, my boats have only remained in the water over night on a handful of occasions.

As to polishing the paint, it is fairly strong and should stand up to light polishing (you buff out your car after all) however, you'd need to be careful at the edges. Your mustang has a fairly thin stripe. You could just tape it off while you compound or wetsand the gel coat areas. BKH

The boat has been run in Lake Norfork in northern Arkansas and I never saw any yellowing but when I ran it in Sardis Lake in northern Mississippi, it yellowed the first day after I polished, washed, and waxed it.??????

well Wawasee is pretty clear natural lake spring feed with a mostly sand bottom, so It might be the water quality but I doubt it from my experince.

Perhaps its not a water quality issue- maybe it has more to do with a water composition (minerals, etc). We have kept boats in the water for extended periods of time, both with waxed and unwaxed bottoms. Both react the same way and develop a scum line at the waterline, and a film on all surfaces below the water. Boats with a good coat of wax on them are easier to clean up, but thats about the only difference Ive seen. Ive never experienced any "yellowing," especially after such a short time in the water.

Our lake is far from having the greatest water quality. The bottom ranges from sandy to mucky. The underwater visibility is fairly poor.

Skibum, I agree I've always waxed the boat often. I too think it makes it easier to clean up, and it helps prevent water spots from the hard water we have on my waterway.

It's been suggested that the wax might contribute to yellowing. In my mind that could make sense. I'm thinking however, that with a good coat of wax the yellowing might be topical, and easily cleaned. Don't know.
I haven't experienced yellowing myself. I do sometimes get a collection of scum when I put the boat on the lift. Tyically comes right off with a soft, wet brush.

Lake Horse. The gel coat is fairly thick. It can be wetsanded to bring it back to its original color and luster. However, it is very labor intensive. 81Nautique and TRBenj, Stang, and others have wetsanded with good results. You can do a search on "wet sand" and see the process, grits, etc. BKH

BKH, what do I do about the graphics though. They were painted on top of the gelcoat. Even when I get close with an Oribital it tends to wipe the lettering and colors out.

I moor my boats for all of August and July. I wax before and after. Never saw any yellowing. The finish will fade fast with no wax.

Never any yellowing here either.. We wax at least twice, and try for three if we can during each year. I've boated in many bodies of water over 40 years and like it was said, all water will leave a scum line and film if the boat is left in the water.. The worst was Schafer Lake IN. Never any yellowing though..

Moj'

On mine, the boat has been in the water more than it has been on a trailer, well until this past year, and it would get a distinct mark from the water you could scrub on it all you wanted and you couldn't get it off unless you used muratic acid, then it would be brighter the the rest of the gel-kote. Talked about last year while at the sandbar with Stang's buddy Steve and he's the one that told me not to wax that area, So I cleaned it with the acid and haven't waxed below the waterline since and it doesn't yellow or discolor anymore. I thought that maybe it was just the wax I used, thought Maguires (sp) boat wax was pretty good stuff, what brand does everyone else use?

I use Maguires with Carnuba wax, just like to say that word, Really good stuff, last long time. Always by the automitive not the marine "Flag Ship" too much money.