which compounding/polishing pads to use.

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Switch

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The past few years I've polished and waxed my hull by hand. This year I'm going to use a dual action random orbital polisher with a 5" head. I've not used one before so I've done some on-line research on various compounds, polishes and waxes. I'm leaning toward the 3M 'perfect-it' gelcoat medium cutting compound with wax OR the light cutting compound with wax. I'll probably use the light cutting product first as I'm worried the medium will be too much as my hull has only minor oxidisation in places and a few fender scratches.
My question relates to buffer and polishing pads. There's a lot of conflicting information on-line concerning which type of pad to use for cutting/compounding; some say foam pads and some say use a wool compounding pad. Could anyone with experience in such matters point me in the right direction? I should point out that my hull is predominately navy blue (in case that makes a difference in selection).
Many thanks.
 
You'll find lots of opinions on this, personally I only use various foam pads, but that comes from me using them on the cars so I feel comfortable with them, and I already have them. Knowing what I know though, if I were buying from scratch I'd still go with foam pads, especially on a da machine. There's obviously lots of makes to choose from so just go with a big known make, 3m, Farecla etc. , I would think you could achieve a very nice finish using only a medium cut pad.
 
I compound with 3M Finesse-It using a solid foam pad, but with the grooves in it. I do this 'wet' using a spray bottle and instead of buffing, I wash it off (if I was a pro there would be no leftover, but hey ho)

I polish with Mers car polish using a soft pad, again with grooves in it. I then buff this.

Does me fine (but I do it annually)

Main thing is to start slow, make sure you have a variable speed polisher.
 
Somewhat depends on the state of the gel to start with. Finnesse-It is pretty safe to use- I would suggest you start with that and don't try to two-in-one products for your main annual work-out ;)
If you really are getting no where with that in some areas then you will need something a bit more abrasive, but once you have removed gel you can't stick it back on, so start easy... !
I have tried randon orbitals and various sponge heads but, to me, this seems a very gentle polishing and I find a "proper" polisher and wool bonnet far more effective.
Like most brands, 3M colour code (and name the use) of the sponge polishing pads..unfortunately, 3M seem to have the most confusing web pages in the world but I would suggest you try a compounding and a polish (green and yellow, is it?) sponge with Marine Finesse-It and see how you go. When you have the gleaming mirror finish, you use wax to protect it-the polishing achieves the real shine.
I am not sure this will be aggressive enough for deeper fender scratches.
Just keep the machine moving around say a 50 cm area, up down left and right for a minute or two, stop and see how it is going. I think you will need to have been somewhat manic to damage anything with this set up but always take caution with blue ;)
 
Switch said:
The past few years I've polished and waxed my hull by hand. This year I'm going to use a dual action random orbital polisher with a 5" head. I've not used one before so I've done some on-line research on various compounds, polishes and waxes. I'm leaning toward the 3M 'perfect-it' gelcoat medium cutting compound with wax OR the light cutting compound with wax. I'll probably use the light cutting product first as I'm worried the medium will be too much as my hull has only minor oxidisation in places and a few fender scratches.
My question relates to buffer and polishing pads. There's a lot of conflicting information on-line concerning which type of pad to use for cutting/compounding; some say foam pads and some say use a wool compounding pad. Could anyone with experience in such matters point me in the right direction? I should point out that my hull is predominately navy blue (in case that makes a difference in selection).
Many thanks.
Click to expand...


Don't use a foam pad on a blue hull, use a lambs wool pad and a very fine grade compound .
You haven't got much gel thickness on your hull , use the wrong type and you will be having it re gelled !!!
 
I got myself one of these a few weeks ago and very pleased with it.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p19277?table=no
Used a lambs wool mop for the cutting compound 3G, followed up with a foam pad with Meguiars marine polish.
Only needed a slow speed and constantly moved the polisher.
Only needed the one cutting with the 3G stuff.
There's some good demos on how to do it on YouTube
 
Oscar24 said:
I got myself one of these a few weeks ago and very pleased with it.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p19277?table=no
Used a lambs wool mop for the cutting compound 3G, followed up with a foam pad with Meguiars marine polish.
Only needed a slow speed and constantly moved the polisher.
Only needed the one cutting with the 3G stuff.
There's some good demos on how to do it on YouTube
Click to expand...

Yes, that's like the one I have but it weighs almost twice that of the one I linked to. Also, is circular or orbital better?
 
KevB said:
Yes, that's like the one I have but it weighs almost twice that of the one I linked to. Also, is circular or orbital better?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what's best tbh, but I found just doing a small area (1mtr sq) the best way of polishing.
I didn't think the weight was that bad tbh,
Watching the demos on YouTube were a real help.
It's surprising how much cutting compound you need to apply to both the hull and the mop, I also found that having the polisher on a slow speed was far more controllable.
Took me about 3 hours in all to do a 22ft hull, that's a wash and clean followed by one cutting and a final polish.
The difference at the end was massive, was very pleased with the results :)
 
KevB said:
Yes, that's like the one I have but it weighs almost twice that of the one I linked to. Also, is circular or orbital better?
Click to expand...

Much less vibration with a circular polisher. I've had one for several years and it's given excellent results.
So from my experience I would recommend a circular one. Negatives: it does fling the compound everywhere and makes a real mess, but it's easily wiped up afterwards.

An orbital sander will shake your hands to bits and give you HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome). But maybe won't make as much mess.
 
Well... I've got a circular which over the years I've had various levels of success with, which is probably down to me rather than the polisher. So I've just ordered an "dual action" orbital polisher to see how that works out.
http://www.saverschoiceuk.com/das-6-pro-900w-dual-action-polisher.html

Just need to find out which pads for cutting and polishing and what compounds to use.....
 
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