grp machine polishing - help

[Marine Reflections]

I've had five boats over the last 42 years and sold each one with a finish as good as the day I bought it.

I would not let a ROTARY polisher of ANY sort near my gelcoat. Instead I use a combination of a RANDOM ORBITAL polisher and pure elbow grease.

Parked next to mine in the yard at Gouvia Marina is a Moody which looks really clean in daylight (as mine does) but when the sodium lights come on, his hull is just a mass of swirls. Why? He lets a contractor polish it with a rotary finishing machine intended to be used or car body repairs for flatting down. Contrary to some of the ill-informed opinions posted here in the past, these machines are NOT used in the quality motor repair business for polishing the finished repair. Visit the Rolls-Royce dealership in Park Lane and you will find an ORBITAL being used for the early morning buff-up and certainly NOT a rotary.

One particularly good product which has come to the market in recent years is the 3M product shown:-


Chas

I just can't let that slide!

Having detailed a few owners cars over the years including the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes, Maserati, Jaguar and dare I say Rolls Royce, all of which I have used a rotary in any correction processes, to improve the surface condition of the paintwork prior to sealing/waxing.

I have lost count of the number of number of full correction processes I have performed on gel coat.

If one were to fully understand what creates swirl marks, holograms, ghost tails (one good way is to re-read this thread, inc links) the message I hope is shown is that they are not caused by a particular type of machine, rotary or orbital, but a lack of preparation, operator error and just plain old poor regular cleaning techniques.

It is like suggesting a certain typewriter will produce a good or bad novel.
It may affect how long it takes to write, or how clean the words are printed, but the skill is within the author and not the typewriter.

A 'buff up' on a Rolls that needs no correction and is being presented for sale in a showroom is not the same as performing improvement works to gel coat.

Is it possible, the reason your previous boats have been in good condition is that over 42 years of ownership you have learned certain techniques for not creating the damage in the first place when washing? Or have applied enough protection when needed to not justify a polisher being used to 'correct' the surface?


If so, then why not share your knowledge with the owner next to you, they may not have had the same degree of experience.

Tony

 

[CharlesSwallow]

I just can't let that slide!

Having detailed a few owners cars over the years including the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes, Maserati, Jaguar and dare I say Rolls Royce, all of which I have used a rotary in any correction processes, to improve the surface condition of the paintwork prior to sealing/waxing.

I have lost count of the number of number of full correction processes I have performed on gel coat.

If one were to fully understand what creates swirl marks, holograms, ghost tails (one good way is to re-read this thread, inc links) the message I hope is shown is that they are not caused by a particular type of machine, rotary or orbital, but a lack of preparation, operator error and just plain old poor regular cleaning techniques.

It is like suggesting a certain typewriter will produce a good or bad novel.
It may affect how long it takes to write, or how clean the words are printed, but the skill is within the author and not the typewriter.

A 'buff up' on a Rolls that needs no correction and is being presented for sale in a showroom is not the same as performing improvement works to gel coat.

Is it possible, the reason your previous boats have been in good condition is that over 42 years of ownership you have learned certain techniques for not creating the damage in the first place when washing? Or have applied enough protection when needed to not justify a polisher being used to 'correct' the surface?


If so, then why not share your knowledge with the owner next to you, they may not have had the same degree of experience.

Tony

Wasn't aware that we were talking about "Full correction processes". If we were then I will agree that a rotary does have it's place but like my friend who renovates very expensive clocks, and who uses rouge on the watch glasses, I would never use one for the final finish.

Chas

 

[CharlesSwallow]

I just can't let that slide!

Having detailed a few owners cars over the years including the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes, Maserati, Jaguar and dare I say Rolls Royce, all of which I have used a rotary in any correction processes, to improve the surface condition of the paintwork prior to sealing/waxing.

I have lost count of the number of number of full correction processes I have performed on gel coat.

If one were to fully understand what creates swirl marks, holograms, ghost tails (one good way is to re-read this thread, inc links) the message I hope is shown is that they are not caused by a particular type of machine, rotary or orbital, but a lack of preparation, operator error and just plain old poor regular cleaning techniques.

It is like suggesting a certain typewriter will produce a good or bad novel.
It may affect how long it takes to write, or how clean the words are printed, but the skill is within the author and not the typewriter.

A 'buff up' on a Rolls that needs no correction and is being presented for sale in a showroom is not the same as performing improvement works to gel coat.

Is it possible, the reason your previous boats have been in good condition is that over 42 years of ownership you have learned certain techniques for not creating the damage in the first place when washing? Or have applied enough protection when needed to not justify a polisher being used to 'correct' the surface?


If so, then why not share your knowledge with the owner next to you, they may not have had the same degree of experience. Tony

**

I HAVE. He is now a "wise after the event" convert.

Chas

 

[Marine Reflections]

Wasn't aware that we were talking about "Full correction processes". If we were then I will agree that a rotary does have it's place but like my friend who renovates very expensive clocks, and who uses rouge on the watch glasses, I would never use one for the final finish.

Chas

Agree with you 100% Chas.

Certainly not for final finishing/protection, hand apply only.

If it is too hard to apply by hand then the wrong product is being used or the surface is not in a smooth contaminate free condition.