Polisher, Orbital or Not?

[cwarren]

I'm full of questions today. How many of you are using an orbital buffer when waxing your boat? What about the non-orbital (higher RPM) versions? I understand going with the higher RPM non-orbital model you have to be careful to keep from heating the gelcoat, but do the non-orbital work better? I ask because many of the non-orbital models can double as a grinder, which, naturally is another tool that I need :D

[Go Aweigh2452]

I own several machine type polishers (for my cars) and use my Makita orbital at around 1200 rpm http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/autogeek/makitabuffer.jpeg

anything faster than that you can burn through paint/gel coat, etc. I know, even though I have been using them for over 30 years, I still screw up (on my own cars/boat) cause I will sometimes get distracted, wipe sweat off my brow or something stupid...

[SomeSailor]

I've got an orbital in my garage that's going into the next big garage sale. Worthless piece of crap typ[ical of the ones you see in West Marine and Schucks. That Makita buffer/polisher that Doug has is a nice one. Harbor Freight sells one you can pick up that goes on sale in the $29.00 price range. It's a knock-off by Chicago Tool... but you can buy a 3 year 100% walk-in replacement for another $20 or so.

I've never had any problem with any of mine and they have a 30-day return policy anyhow...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/92600-92699/92623.gif

[Go Aweigh2452]

my Makita cost around $90

[Salmon Troller]

I picked up the cheap one at Shucks to give it a try, never having used one before. I had my old dingy at the house and the gel coat is about as blasted as possible, so it was a great candidate for the learning curve (couldn't make it worse). I used polishing compound with the buffer/bonnet and then rubbed some wax on it and buffed it with the soft pad. Not too shabby for a tired dingy. I am now ready to go for the wax on the boat itself.

[3788sam]

I bought the one at Harbor freight, have had it for about 3 yrs, keeps on running. It even got dunked once at Friday Habor and still didn't die.
Like Doug mentioned above make sure its on low speed!

[Numbknots]

few years ago I purchased the Dewalt http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4394800213&category=42266&rd=1 like this one. It can be had on sale for about $160. I haven't used it yet on the boat but it does a great job on autos.

Dang this Tolly is a lot bigger then the little Corvette I have.

Tim

[SPUD]

I use the same Makita Doug has. Love it !

Spud

[Numbknots]

Spud,

I tried the blue one but when my wife said her favorite color was yellow I ran out and bought the Dewalt!! Darn if it didn't fit her had though, maybe the red Millwakie next?

Tim

[SPUD]

Tim,

It wasn't much of a problem with Kathy, I got her a matching pair of
blue rubber boots !

Spud

[kwb]

I have detailed more boats that I care to recall and I cannot think of once (even when learning) that I came close to hurting gelcoat with speed. Paint is a whole other area but gelcoat is about the easiest surface to work with for polishing.
First step- get rid of your heavy duty rubbing compounds for 99% of the job.
Second find a good wool pad (I am not sold on foam pads yet but some get good results with them.)
Third find a color restorer (I like meguires but 3m is good and I am sure there are others)
Apply liberally (16oz will do about one 28' boat in so-so condition) and work in ~3'x3' areas buff till the material is basically gone and surface is mostly clean (some residual haze from pad okay)
For scratches and the like wetsand to ~600grit then get the rubbing compound, polish, then hit it with the color restorer.

When all done wash it with a mild soap (I like turtle wax wash and wax or golden eagle)

Towell it off and start waxing (I like carnuba some like to pay extra for 'boat' wax)
Done right you shouldn't have to get the polisher out next season except for the most sun beat areas of the boat and simply need to wax it again and you have two seasons on one buff job.

[Numbknots]

kwb,

Thanks for the great information! I don't have "yet" much experience on gel coat. I am sure I will though as the 44 Tolly has got a lot of oxidation. Do you have any experience with 3m Imperial compound, I was told it is the way to go to cut and clean?

I am re-lettering the transom and there is some ghosting behind the removed vinyl lettering. I will follow your advice. Should I do every step except wax before applying the new vinyl?

Tim

[Go Aweigh2452]

3M Imperial is a great product that I use on my cars. It will do a nice job without much abrasion in the liquid itself and by itself will leave a nice shine. I've used it before on my boat with excellent results. Expensive stuff and I buy in the qt size at my auto paint supply shop.

[kwb]

I have found that you can get better results faster with a color restore product for all but the worst condition gelcoat than progressive types of compound (heavy then medium then fine cut)

Products for paint will work but products for gelcoat seem to work best on gelcoat -- go figure.

For stuff that is in decent shape I have gotten good results with a cleaner/wax instead of starting with color restore.

[Numbknots]

Thanks guys,

The Admiral says it is likely that I would get more done if I would get started :argh

Tim

What do you folks use to restore the gel coat in the non-skid areas?

Raul

[kwb]

If its the lower level stuff (older boats and the MY's) I usually don't do anything and go with the anti-shine (soft scrub and stiff brush) but be sure to do this first because it will be a step backwards for anything polished. Its clean and uniform and not too slippery so good on all fronts as far as I am concerned.

But I have had occasions where that was not what the customer wanted...
I have also simply buffed the area with color restore but have to spend more time with buffer to make sure that you don't leave a bunch of crap in the low spots (keep your pad clean with either a spur or a screwdriver)

It looks good but you about slip and die when its wet. I like my feet under me when on the decks.... well ususally :evil: :D