Polisher question

T

TylerFromEverett

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Messages
141
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Vessel Name
Kimberly Marie
I’m having a tough time getting all the oxidation off my red hull. Not sure if it’s my technique or my tools.

I’m using a dual action polisher with 3m restorer and wax. Spending a good amount of time making several slow passes. It’ll shine up nice but there’s still a little fading.

Wondering if it’s the dual action polisher. Maybe I need a more powerful polisher?

Maybe I’m not working the product in enough but I’m following what the YouTube guy did and spending a lot of time working the product.

Advice? It’s not super heavy oxidation. Like I said, it’ll shine up nice but still has a subtle dullness.
 
I can’t remember the details, but wanted to reply anyway to give you some hope. We went through this last summer. I had the exact Porter-Cable polisher recommended in the As the Prop Turns series, but wasn’t having much luck getting the results we wanted. We ended up trying my boat partner’s polisher instead and the difference was incredible, half the effort and twice the results. I can’t remember the brand, but it may have even been Harbor Freight. I’ll follow-up, or maybe he will, if I figure it out.

Eric
 
This is the polisher I use with great results. I believe variable speed makes the difference, including higher speeds than the typically dual action polishers.

DEWALT Buffer/Polisher, Variable S...ww.amazon.com/dp/B004W1WGIC/re ... V8V2V94PNK
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Also, if I don’t get results immediately I switch to a heavier (coarser) compound. If still no luck it is time for wet sanding.

Curt
 
Second what Curt says about the Dewalt. I have the exact same model. Works great. A bit heavy in the hands after a few hours of use. Use some good pads and the right compounds/polishes with it and you will get amazing results.
 
Could someone point me to the As the Prop Turns video referenced above? I could not find the polishing one. Have the same issue with my R23 Hero Red hull. Have a good Griots Garage variable speed polisher. Using 3M products. Gets it looking real nice, but still some oxidation. Thinking I could learn more on technique from the video. Thanks.
 
I have a dark blue hull and use the following with good success. As anyone with one of these knows, if not maintained, looks terrible after a while.

Meguiar’s M9132 Marine/RV Power Cut Compound, 32 Fluid Ounces
Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax, 32 Fluid Ounces

I also use the Porter Cable unit, which can be a little heavy over time, but seems to work for me.

PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch (7424XP)
 
I have a red hull. Despite my best efforts with a Dewalt 849 buffer, I couldn’t completely remove all the oxidation no matter how aggressive a compound I used. A few weeks ago, I paid someone with the tools and experience to wet sand my hull. Then he compounded it, polished it, and finished with a ceramic coating. It looks amazing. He worked from 8:30a to 7:15p the first day and 8:30 to 5:30 the second. He did not quit until HE was satisfied.
 
Look up boat hull detailing on You Tube.....differences between various DA's and buffers , wool pads for cutting and foam pads for finishing steps and compounds and polishes...some really good videos..
 
I have a C-28 with a dark blue hull which is prone to oxidation. I had been been using the Shurhold DA polisher. Finally quit the subtle tactics and bought a Makita. Huge difference, as already noted, half the effort, half the time. I used 3M Perfect It compound and then Perfect It wax.

I used a white Presta compound/cutting pad for oxidation removal. I used the Presta blue (soft) polishing pad to buff the wax. Worked well for me.
 
I'm giving up on wax. Currently in the throes of trying the technique provided by "Drake's Detailing" on you tube for how to ceramic coat your boat. My 2011 Claret Red hull is a faded pink. Wax or Meguiars synthetic just don't hold up here in the so cal sun. I'm testing the ceramic on the eyebrows and the brown faux wood strip on the cabin. I spent the last two days compounding the eyebrows using Drake's technique and applying a ceramic. Started with 3M Heavy Cut compound on a heavy cut wool pad, then 3M medium cut compound with a light cut polishing wool pad followed by polishing with 3M Finesse It II glaze on a foam pad on a DA polisher. Once all that was done on went the ceramic. The results are phenomenal. The eyebrows look brand factory new. The ceramic coating is from Marine Nano, but there are several different coating products out there. The tools used are harbor freight polishers.
So far all my dock neighbors are impressed with the results. One unintended result was a job offer from the boat detailer working on the sailboat next to me. It was pretty flattering.
The hull is going to be the most difficult, it will need some wet sanding to blend in the previous owners name that stands a bit proud on the gel coat and address a couple of minor scratches. That will probably be done in an upcoming yard period when hauled out for bottom paint. I have tried the hull buffing from the dock and just don't want to cripple myself again.
PS: Some before and after photos are posted in My album (Fancy Nancy).
 
interesting trisailor. whats the cost of the ceramic materials if doing it yourself?
 
My Go To is Wizards Turbo Cut, Marine 31 final polish, Marine 31 sealant and wax. 5 years of cruising the boat sits out in the elements for 6 moths each year and the past year 12 months. It actually looks better than the day I took delivery of it when it was new. The compounding has taken all the factory blemish's out and the gel has a better shine. I just finished a complete detail. The top sides pilot house and decks came out like new. I have plastic covering it so I did't get compound slandered on it when I was doing the hull.







The Marine 31 products have proven therwsrth to me. The boat literally has a mirror shine.
 
My boat was really badly oxidized. As mentioned I gave up on the Da polisher and bought the Makita rotary. I used the Perfect It from 3M. The combo compound/wax was not doing it. I used the the straight compound with a white pad. I followed up with 3M wax which I buffed out with a blue pad. Very happy.



This is a close up view.


I definitely needed a haircut!
 
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