Decal preserver and body wax

[rebel510]

I have a 35' 1997 dolphin. Does anyone have any recomendations for preserving the exterior decals? I could also use some advice for a good exterior body wax.i will need to order these on the internet because we live in a rural area.
Thanks

[brucev]

there are many brands on the market. I am having trouble with oxidation so I contacted Griot's Garage to get their recommendation because my 6" Orbital is a Griot's. I placed the order at Amazon this morning. I ordered Hand Compound #10862 for the really bad areas like the front and rear caps, One stop sealant #11075 for the sides that aren't too badly oxidized and Poly wax #10916. I have used 3m and Meguires products and had good luck with them also. There is another product I was looking at called Marine 31 but stuck with Griot's because I have used their products before. Good luck with your project.

[Charlie 5320]

Originally Posted by brucev

there are many brands on the market. I am having trouble with oxidation so I contacted Griot's Garage to get their recommendation because my 6" Orbital is a Griot's. I placed the order at Amazon this morning. I ordered Hand Compound #10862 for the really bad areas like the front and rear caps, One stop sealant #11075 for the sides that aren't too badly oxidized and Poly wax #10916. I have used 3m and Meguires products and had good luck with them also. There is another product I was looking at called Marine 31 but stuck with Griot's because I have used their products before. Good luck with your project.

My Dolphin was heavily oxidized, front and back cap and basement doors. My Porter Cable orbital wasn't up to the task. I used a Craftsman 7" buffer with Meguires 44 color restorer, was a lot of work but it came out real good. I used Rejex on the front and rear caps because what I've read. I used Turtle wax Ice on the sides, because that's what I use on my Corvette and really liked it. I went over some of the Rejex with the Ice and it shines much better. I won't be buying anymore Rejex. I'm hoping that if I keep the Turtle wax on it, it won't be so bad. Planning on waxing a couple times a year.

[tolandbros]

Just to clarify you would only use the turtle wax ice? I have a 2008 and it has some spots.

Thank you

[Charlie 5320]

Originally Posted by tolandbros

Just to clarify you would only use the turtle wax ice? I have a 2008 and it has some spots.

Thank you

I would start off with Meguires 44 color restorer, but it takes a lot of rubbing if you don't have a buffer. I used the Ice after I was done getting the oxidation removed.

[Nick-B]

Vinyl graphics should not be waxed. Use 303 Protectant on vinyl and plastics.

[the docktor]

I am in the process of 'polishing' my 2000 Tradewinds, the gelcoat was dull and a faint layer of chalky white came off on your hand when sliding a hand across the panels and the decals were showing a white bloom over the colors. I bought a DA polisher from HF (no swirl marks with one of those) Meguires RV/Marine cleaner/wax and set to work. The decals did not come clean with this system, I had to use rubbing compound applied by hand to each decal and they came up nearly as new. Its very labor intensive, and I am applying an additional coat of turtle wax after the meguires treatment to increase the anti UV protection (I am in southern California whee the sun is brutal for paint on vehicles). I can thoroughly recommend meguires cleaner/wax but, as yet, I cannot tell how long the protection will last.

[Bob_C]

Nu Finish......doesn't hurt the decals on my stuff

[Gerryl]

I did my whole rig with Poly Glow. A lot of work in preparation, with their Poly Prep. But the result makes it look like brand new Gel coat and decals. This is assuming that the decals are ok to start with. Poly Glow also has a UV blocker also. Did mine several years ago and it still looks like new.

I bought the Kit and the applicator for flat surfaces that you can put on a pole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUNQPCLD4gU

https://poliglow-int.com/