www.iFourWinns.com

What I learned today.....waxing a V298 is a long, long, long job. Especially since the previous owner hadn't taken on that chore for some time.

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'01 Vista 298

You did yours in one day?

I've been compounding my 258V with Buff Magic for weeks now, a little at a time as the killer sun and occasional rain permit. And it's one where a lift doesn't help all that much, where a trailer would be a welcome accessory. It _is_ a big job. And when I'm done, I get to wash and polish it. Oh boy!

It does look good, though, with no waterline stains and a mirror finish.

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

No. Not one day. Not even close. This will be a multi-weekend job. Washed the entire hull today and managed to get a very small portion compounded and waxed. I probably still have 80% of the boat to go but that little bit I did took forever. Looks good....the boat is actually white again in the area I worked on but I definitely need to invest a good orbital buffer before I tackle the rest of the boat.

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'01 Vista 298

The chalk on mine actually was whiter from a distance but ugly, of course, once one gets close enough to see it well. Or maybe it's that the finish reflects surroundings, which are not white.

FWIW, I suggest that you invest in a nine or 10" buffer. A 6" orbital, while it works, is still a lot of work - and the pads load up easily, in my experience.

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Well, this CSR thread will inspire you to finish the job (http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/40 ... ght=presta). Cincy Aquaholic, a forum member, has his before and after pics in this thread and they are impressive. I just invested $200 in the Presta Super Cut Compound, Chroma "1500" Polish and VOC wax (a lot cheaper than 3M products). I will start to tackle this task in a couple of weeks using my $35 variable speed polisher that l bought from Harbor Freight for compounding and polishing and my $100 Porter Cable orbital for waxing. Going on my 2nd year with the Harbor Freight POS polisher but it has held up so far. The Porter Cable brand speaks for itself. Have fun.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 92623.html

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Step one....wash her down. Did that yesterday. Let the waxing begin. Usually takes me a few weekends.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I feel your pain. I did mine in 2 full days (3 step process) but wish I had a 3rd because I was killing myself and I ran out of steam at that end.

This after pic that shows a nice reflection from across the road really made me happy about the effort I put in. Look at the reflection of the bush at the transom. Almost looks like a mirror of it.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

I took a week off of work last year to do mine. I used the 3M system. Which is a three step process. In other words, after washing, 1) compound, 2) buff (minor stratches) and 3) wax (UV). I then applied Woody Wax to the non-skid surfaces.

I only have a 248, took 4 whole days ... and I was whipped. I needed another week off. But it sure did look good. The picture in my sig was taken right after I finished.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Went down to Harbor Freight and picked up a bunch of terry cloth, micro fiber and polishing bonnets pretty cheap. Let the games begin.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Last year I used 'buff magic' to shine up the beast and then waxed from the waterline up. Four full 12 hr days to do the job but boy does it look great Just like when it was new.

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

Put mine on the trailer soon after I bought it and dropped it of at a local boat detail shop - 300.00 and a day later it looked like new. I have no idea what they used or how they did it but a year later and the slime just washes off the bottom with the water hose on the lift and the topside looks like great.

I like to do everything myself but after taking an hour to do about 2 square feet on a 90 degree day I decided to stimulate the local economy

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

I'm too old to do mine again. Next summer ... someone else gets that honor.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Just picked up (borrowed) a 10" buffer. If the weather cooperates I'll get back down there either today or tomorrow and pick up where I left off last weekend.

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'01 Vista 298

I'm taking a local detail guy down to our today to get a price. I don't have the patience or experience to do it. Like kp47, I'm going to do my part in stimulating the local economy.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

[/quote]
I'm taking a local detail guy down to our today to get a price. I don't have the patience or experience to do it. Like kp47, I'm going to do my part in stimulating the local economy.[/quote]

I priced it out as well. Prices starting at $15 per foot to compound and wax from the rub rail to the waterline.

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'01 Vista 298