Hull Resuracing: wet sand or polish?

Hello, Getting back into Hobie 16 sailing after selling my boat back in 1995. Got a fixer upper 1984 16’ that I’m getting ready for summer. Back when I was racing in the 80’s we always wet sanded our hulls. I was planning to do that with the new boat, but I’m seeing various products to wax/buff/polish the hulls, so I’m wondering what the current thinking is. Thanks.

There's almost limitless options depending on how "perfect" you want to get...

My go to is the Meguiars series of three products (in order of how you use em): oxidation remover, polish, and wax. Ideally, you should use a rotary buffer but can kinda sorta use a random-orbit polisher with aggressive pad for the oxidation remover and a less-agressive for polish, and soft pad for wax (or by hand).

If simpler is you thing, try a one-step oxidation remover with wax. 3M has some Perfect-It products that could work. I'm sure there are others. I think you'd want to use some power tools to get measurable results since these require some oxidation removal to work.

If you dont want/have power equipment, I'd look at a cleaner-wax type product that can be done by hand, take good enough, and save your time for sailing and money for beer.

I haven't tried any of the new ceramic stuff but I'd assume these work great if you start with a well-buffed and shiny gel coat. Because they're so expensive, I'd invest in ceramic only if you're willing to buff (maybe wet sand) and polish the gel coat to get it near factory fresh.

Good luck and tell us how it works out!
-Daniel

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H16 2002 "Islands" Sail No. 107432