Boat Polishing

[Jurgen]

Polished the boat last weekend with a machine polisher and boy what a transformation. The shine is amazing if not to the standard of a professional.

The next task for the weekend is to wax the boat which leads me to my question.

How should I wax the boat?

Hand applied and hand finished?

or

Hand applied and machine finished?

If machine finished should I use the lambswool bonnet or the fine foam polishing bonnet?

Any advice great fully received.

Will post some pics after the weekend

 

[Whopper]

Polished the boat last weekend with a machine polisher and boy what a transformation. The shine is amazing if not to the standard of a professional.

The next task for the weekend is to wax the boat which leads me to my question.

How should I wax the boat?

Hand applied and hand finished?

or

Hand applied and machine finished?

If machine finished should I use the lambswool bonnet or the fine foam polishing bonnet?

Any advice great fully received.

Will post some pics after the weekend

I generally machine polish and then hand wax (both apply and buff). I'm sure professionals probably do otherwise. I bought a gallon of this last year and it works pretty well!
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Auto_Detailing_Liquid_Carnauba_Wax_With_Sealant_p/wac_111.htm

 

[Jurgen]

Have a new tin of 3M wax which so will try that to start with, was hoping that machine buffing would be easier and quicker ?

Will try both and see what works best

 

[Thepipdoc]

Polished the boat last weekend with a machine polisher and boy what a transformation. The shine is amazing if not to the standard of a professional.

The next task for the weekend is to wax the boat which leads me to my question.

How should I wax the boat?

Hand applied and hand finished?

or

Hand applied and machine finished?

If machine finished should I use the lambswool bonnet or the fine foam polishing bonnet?

Any advice great fully received.

Will post some pics after the weekend

Out of curiosity, what did you use to polish the boat? Foam pad or wool mop and what product?
Thanks

 

[Jurgen]

Out of curiosity, what did you use to polish the boat? Foam pad or wool mop and what product?
Thanks

Use Foam Polishing pad on a silverline polishing machine with 3M Finesse Compound & Polishing product as the hull was a little dull.

In future will just use polish then wax as the cutting compound has lifted the dullness

 

[Thepipdoc]

Use Foam Polishing pad on a silverline polishing machine with 3M Finesse Compound & Polishing product as the hull was a little dull.

In future will just use polish then wax as the cutting compound has lifted the dullness

Thanks.
I ask because I'm going to be using a polishing machine for the first time ( probably dual action type) and I'm a little anxious about what bits of kit I should use. I don't want to over do it by taking off stacks of gelcoat!

 

[Galia]

Thanks.
I ask because I'm going to be using a polishing machine for the first time ( probably dual action type) and I'm a little anxious about what bits of kit I should use. I don't want to over do it by taking off stacks of gelcoat!

If you are using dual action you will be a long time before you do any damage , it's the rotary polishers that can heat up if not kept on the move.

 

[Jurgen]

Thanks.
I ask because I'm going to be using a polishing machine for the first time ( probably dual action type) and I'm a little anxious about what bits of kit I should use. I don't want to over do it by taking off stacks of gelcoat!

Am going down to Galmpton Creek tomorrow and staying until Sunday so if your around pop down and I'll give you a demo.

Was quite daunting the first time I did it but once you get into the swing of things it's pretty straightforward

Andy

 

[Jurgen]

If you are using dual action you will be a long time before you do any damage , it's the rotary polishers that can heat up if not kept on the move.

+1, I use a rotary polisher and apply very light pressure and try not to stay in the same place for more than a moment or so. Dual Action is a much safer machine

 

[Thepipdoc]

Am going down to Galmpton Creek tomorrow and staying until Sunday so if your around pop down and I'll give you a demo.

Was quite daunting the first time I did it but once you get into the swing of things it's pretty straightforward

Andy

I might just do that.
I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing over the weekend but if my best beloved doesn't have any radical plans, I'll see you on Saturday. I'm thinking mid-mornig (ish).
Where are you located exactly?
Bernie

 

[Whopper]

@Thepipdoc. I would run with a rotary polisher and keep the pad well lubricated. If the boat has much oxidation dual actions aren't the best. I've burnt out a cheap dual action before.

Edit: @Thepipdoc I just had a look at you for sale website. The boat looks stunning. I doubt she is badly oxidized so you'll probably get by with a dual action.

 

[Thepipdoc]

Edit: @Thepipdoc I just had a look at you for sale website. The boat looks stunning. I doubt she is badly oxidized so you'll probably get by with a dual action.

Thanks for that.
She is indeed a beauty and you're right there isn't any oxidation present. I'm just wanting to ensure that she is kept in tip top condition, and polishing by hand ( as I've previously done) doesn't exactly float my boat! (pun intended!)

 

[Jurgen]

I might just do that.
I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing over the weekend but if my best beloved doesn't have any radical plans, I'll see you on Saturday. I'm thinking mid-mornig (ish).
Where are you located exactly?
Bernie

Hi Bernie, am in the top part of the quarry @ Dartside Quay by Pedro.s.

Boat is Called Evenstar 3 a Sealine S37' if you see a red coloured 12 plate Volvo V70 then that's me.

Will be around all day Saturday.

Regards

Andy

 

[gjgm]

Out of curiosity, what did you use to polish the boat? Foam pad or wool mop and what product?
Thanks

A DA is ok for "polishing" but it really doesnt have the grunt for remedial work.
Still, the choice of foam sponge does really make a difference,so if using a DA, I would use quite a hard sponge with your choice of polish. Get a few 3M webshop is actually very good on pricing, or cleanyourcar.co.uk was plenty of choice. Have a decent backing pad like 3M and make sure your match the sponge size to the backing pad
Remember that it is polishing that creates and maintains the level of shine, so dont bother moving onto wax until you are happy.
Probably even more waxes about than polishes, but whatever you use will last alot better if you do the polishing properly. On the hull sides, I find Maguires flagship premium wax will bead water all season, but of course it doesnt last so long on horizontal surfaces like the foredeck. 3M polish is also always well reviewed.
With the Maguires anyway, it is just as easy by hand than machine. If you dont overwax, it is probably even easier by hand in fact.
On a 43, I'd be thinking of a couple of days work...

 

[Marine Reflections]

A DA is ok for "polishing" but it really doesnt have the grunt for remedial work.
Still, the choice of foam sponge does really make a difference,so if using a DA, I would use quite a hard sponge with your choice of polish. Get a few 3M webshop is actually very good on pricing, or cleanyourcar.co.uk was plenty of choice. Have a decent backing pad like 3M and make sure your match the sponge size to the backing pad
Remember that it is polishing that creates and maintains the level of shine, so dont bother moving onto wax until you are happy.
Probably even more waxes about than polishes, but whatever you use will last alot better if you do the polishing properly. On the hull sides, I find Maguires flagship premium wax will bead water all season, but of course it doesnt last so long on horizontal surfaces like the foredeck. 3M polish is also always well reviewed.
With the Maguires anyway, it is just as easy by hand than machine. If you dont overwax, it is probably even easier by hand in fact.
On a 43, I'd be thinking of a couple of days work...

Gavin, you Sir, are a wordsmith... It would have taken me ages to get that across in a way that doesn't confuse.
"Remember that it is polishing that creates and maintains the level of shine, so don't bother moving onto wax until you are happy".

This is by far, the most important factor I have seen posted here on this subject, very relevant to this thread.

Only one thing to mention; I would guess around 3-4 hours waxing by hand on a 40ish, provided the gel coat was 110%.

 

[MRC]

I plan to apply zymol marina wax post polish.

This looks like a semi boat cleaning thread. We have cream vinyl cockpit and flybridge cushions and sunpads. They need a really good clean, if I scrub them clean and / or use a harsh cleaner which may strip off the protective coating what should I be 'sealing' them with so they don't get too grubby again ?

 

[gjgm]

I plan to apply zymol marina wax post polish.

This looks like a semi boat cleaning thre!ad. We have cream vinyl cockpit and flybridge cushions and sunpads. They need a really good clean, if I scrub them clean and / or use a harsh cleaner which may strip off the protective coating what should I be 'sealing' them with so they don't get too grubby again ?

Dirty scatter cushions? Good god, man
Nikwax make a range of cleaners and waterproofers that are good on fleeces and jackets etc.Maybe try their web page for advice on possible products?

 

[rafiki_]

I plan to apply zymol marina wax post polish.

This looks like a semi boat cleaning thread. We have cream vinyl cockpit and flybridge cushions and sunpads. They need a really good clean, if I scrub them clean and / or use a harsh cleaner which may strip off the protective coating what should I be 'sealing' them with so they don't get too grubby again ?

I use Armourall cockpit cleaner from Halfords. Fantastic stuff.

 

[Whopper]

I plan to apply zymol marina wax post polish.

This looks like a semi boat cleaning thread. We have cream vinyl cockpit and flybridge cushions and sunpads. They need a really good clean, if I scrub them clean and / or use a harsh cleaner which may strip off the protective coating what should I be 'sealing' them with so they don't get too grubby again ?

I always use 303 fabric & vinyl cleaner followed by 303 aerospace protect. For very stubborn stains I use magic white sponges. I don't think there is any better way.

http://www.303products.com/

 

[Jurgen]

Finished the waxing today, the boat looks amazing. Will post some pics tomorrow. FWIW I found it easier to hand apply an hand buff the wax off but the machine really brought out the shine when using the polish