After nearly a decade in the recreational boating community, we've spent most of our time restoring Cobalt boats. It's become a running joke at the yard where we're based because many in our industry shy away from restoring Cobalt's.
Why is that?
Cobalt boats present unique challenges for boat detailers and gel coat repair specialists. Our friends at Around The Sound, with over 30 years of gel coat repair experience, explain, "Cobalt's have an additive in their gel coat that enhances durability but makes the surface significantly harder to work with once oxidized." Joe further elaborates, "It's almost like you're sanding a rock." In my experience, I've performed multi-step sanding on the port side of a hull, followed by coarse compounding, only to return the next day and find that the oxidation had returned!
One particular boat we tackled this season was a 22-foot Cobalt sitting on a boat lift on Lake Washington, untouched for at least five years. No judgment here—every boat has its own story. Sometimes, life happens, and cruising around the lake takes a backseat. I get it.
During our onsite consultation, we used gloss meter readings to assess the level of care the boat would require. Once the boat was delivered, other crews at the yard stood around in amazement at how oxidized it was. We knew we had our work cut out for us.
Our meticulous approach to the restoration process is what sets us apart. We began with the decontamination phase, ensuring a clean surface to work with before diving into the artistry of restoration. After drying the boat and cleaning it with acetone, we started with 500-grit wet sanding down the hull's port side. We performed a test spot and followed through with the entire process, moving from 500 to 800 grit, followed by a coarse-cut compound with a wool pad. The results were promising, although some sanding marks remained, which we planned to address later in the correction.
To ensure precision, we used LED lighting to inspect the surface, revealing minor imperfections that might have gone unnoticed. By meticulously following each step, we achieved a level of clarity and shine that defied the boat's initial condition. The oxidation was now gone, and we received a mirror finish. Gloss meter results were above 90. Day one concluded with decontamination, an acetone wipe-down of the surface, 500-800 grit wet and dry sanding, and compounding with a wool pad and a coarse compound designed to remove 600-p sanding marks.
A Quick Word About the Compound
Most compounds are designed to remove sanding marks as low as 800-p grit from standard gel-coat surfaces. But Cobalt's aren't your typical gel coat surfaces. As Joe from Around the Sound puts it, "It's like sanding on a rock." The unique composition of Cobalt's gel coat means that even after using 600-p grit, which is quite aggressive, you may still face challenges in fully eliminating the sanding marks. This is a challenge that only the most skilled and experienced professionals can overcome.
The next day, we put an LED light on the boat's port side and did a thorough inspection, leading us to proceed with higher grit sanding to remove the remaining marks. At this point, one might ask, "Why didn't we go straight into this step after the 800-grit sanding?" The reason is simple: every boat is different, even if it's the same make and model. Each boat presents unique challenges depending on factors like storage conditions, whether it was used in freshwater or saltwater, and its age.
Sometimes, the compound will remove the sanding marks, but other times—like in this case—you have to address them separately. These marks may only appear in specific areas, and it's up to the professional to identify and address them accordingly. While we corrected the port side, we applied our sanding techniques down the hull's starboard side, followed by more compounding, which resulted in a mirror finish. We also had time that day to begin polishing with a fast-cut compound and foam pad using a Makita rotary polisher. We were proud of our work; the yard staff complimented us on our results, and we felt confident about our progress thus far. Two days of work, three people working, totaling 48 man-hours of intensive labor—sanding and grinding with intention and purpose.
At this point, you might think it's all downhill after all the sanding we had done—absolutely not! I decided to work that Saturday and discovered that despite our meticulous efforts, the oxidation had returned. This required us to reinvest an additional 41 hours to fully correct the boat and perform our Level II Interior Clean with carpet extraction. We repeated many of the earlier processes, ensuring the oxidation was completely mitigated. In addition, we recommended installing a ceramic coating to complete this restoration, providing much longer-lasting protection.
What Does the LAMICS Process Look Like in Action?
When we talk about restoring a boat like a Cobalt, it's important to understand the level of effort and precision that goes into every step. The LAMICS process isn't just a single pass around the boat—it's a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that ensures every inch of the vessel is restored to its former glory.
Here's a breakdown of what that actually entails:
Initial Wet Sanding: This process involves carefully sanding the boat with 500-grit to 800-grit sandpaper. This initial step alone requires at least one full pass around the boat to ensure the surface is prepped for the next stages.
First Round of Compounding: After sanding, we move on to compounding, which involves two complete passes around the boat. Some areas demand even more attention, requiring two to three additional passes to fully remove sanding marks and achieve a smooth finish. This step alone can result in multiple passes around the entire vessel.
Precision Inspection and Additional Sanding/Compounding: Using LED lighting, we meticulously inspect the boat for any remaining imperfections. This often leads to additional sanding with higher grit and another round of compounding, adding another 2-3 passes to the process.
Polishing: Once the sanding and compounding are complete, we apply a fast-cut compound with a foam pad, which requires a full pass around the boat to bring out the shine.
Second Round of Correction: When oxidation returns, as it sometimes does with challenging projects like this, we don't cut corners. We repeat the entire process, including sanding, compounding, and polishing. This second round can add another 4-6 passes around the boat.
Final Coating: To lock in the work we've done, we applied a ceramic coating, which required two complete passes to ensure even coverage and long-lasting protection.
In total, this restoration involved an estimated 12 to 17 full passes around the boat.
Each pass isn’t just about applying a product—it’s about engaging in critical thinking, solving intricate challenges, and executing a meticulously crafted plan to achieve the best possible outcome. The LAMICS process is not merely labor-intensive; it’s a true art form that requires a high level of expertise and unwavering commitment.
This detailed and methodical approach is what truly distinguishes our work. We don’t just restore boats; we elevate them to their peak condition, ensuring that every vessel we touch leaves our care looking and performing better than ever. So, the next time you see a beautifully restored Cobalt, understand that it wasn’t just the result of a quick polish—it was the culmination of countless hours, many miles walked, and a relentless dedication to excellence.
Is your boat overdue for some attention? If it’s been a while since we last worked on your boat, or if it’s time for ceramic maintenance, now is the perfect time to schedule your next service. Don’t wait until the oxidation sets in—contact us today to bring your boat back to its pristine condition. Let’s make sure your vessel stays protected and looks its absolute best, season after season.