hull polishers again

[LeonF]

Thinking of buying a polisher and wonder if the 20 quid models are as effective as the 90 quid jobs that Machine Mart sells. I used my orbital sander with a wool bonnet for the polish last year but would like a beter finish this year. I was told that the orbital sanders are not slow enough, but how do the cheap polishers compare with the more expensive ones?

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[colvic]

The cheap ones work well, slow running, twin handles easy to operate and hold and at present as mentioned on previous thread only £15 at B&Q.

Have had one for over a year, polished three boats plus car etc. doing well.

Would the £90 last six times longer?


Phil

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[Strathglass]

I have one of the cheepies ok for polishing but a waste of time for buffing.

Look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.whdirect.co.uk>http://www.whdirect.co.uk</A> code L802-17 1200w 7" polisher £49.95 . Best value I have found

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[Guest]

Stupid question

Can u pls explain what u mean by "polishing" vs "buffing"? I'm looking to buy a machine (for SWMBO, I hope - Mother's Day is coming soon and she wants to help get the boat ready!) and I'm now confused on how much I shud spend. Was considering B&Q cheap jobbie, but now unsure.

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[Strathglass]

Re: Stupid question

By polishing I mean putting a shine on a good surface.

By buffing I mean using a cutting compound to restore a gloss on a poor surface.
I found that the low cost one was not powerfull enough for using to cut back the surface on faded gelcoat.

Unfortunately I was spoiled a bit as I have had access to professional polishers in the past and I found that the cheep one would not do what I wanted of it. I tried it once then gave up. Anyone can have it for £15 plus carrage.

Does that help ? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif or does it confuse further ?/forums/images/icons/frown.gif

Iain

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[LeonF]

Re: Stupid question

If one needs a slow speed for buffing then why does it need to be powerful? I probably do need a buffer as I'd like to use a foam pad and the 3M restorer. Will explore your suggestion. Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[Strathglass]

Re: Stupid question

Not a stupid question,

I thought the low powered one would do me and paid £30 for it. I found that because of the low power it has not enough torque to keep turning under any pressure.
It just stalls.

<font color=red> Much more important however SWMBO who had offered to buff the topsides found that she got nowhere with it also, so, apart from her getting sunburnt </font color=red> <font color=purple>( yes in Scotland ) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif </font color=purple></font color=red>the topsides still need done.</font color=red>

Iain

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 02/03/2003 14:14 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Tantalus]

Re: Stupid question

Buffing vs. Polishing aside....

I'm afraid you're in serious trouble here.
Should you choose to present SWMBO with even the most state of the art equipment as a Mothers Day gift I would hope you have the foresight to ensure that it also fits rather painlessly in your various body cavities.

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[Piers]

I bought a polisher from Peter Furby (3M marine products) two years ago. It's a Rupes, and has a variable control from nothing upwards. In this way, and using the 3M bonnets, the GRP came up as if it was brand new. No scuff marks, just back to the original shine.

He also has some 'special' products not normally available to the public for the polishing which aren't normally available. They make a real difference.

By all means mention me when you call me - no, I'm not on the take! 07770 284926.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[LeonF]

Have bought the buffer from Warehouse Direct and Piers was right about Peter being informative. I have some stuff arriving from DMP--3M products which are not on the chandlers shelves. I'll post the results when it's all done.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[jonjo]

Re: Stupid question

I polished my topsides last week with a £20 ScrewFix polisher and can confirm Ian's comments on this subject. That said I was happy with the results.

Where there was no damage it bought the hull up to a fantastic shine (dark blue) and had me doing multiple circuits of the hull with a smirk on my face. I used the combi cutting/polishing compound from 3M.

There is absolutely no torque in the machine for doing anything more gliding the machine over the surface, this is probably a good thing if you are doing the job with a power tool for the first time. The torque is so low that for example where I left some polish on overnight I could not remove it the following day and removed it by hand instead.

I intend to use the cheap polisher a few more times before deciding which regions of the topsides need serious high powered cutting back.

In summary a cheap polisher will not achieve anything more than can be done with muscle power but makes the job more approachable.

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[LeonF]

Re: Stupid question

I took Ians advice and bought the buffer/polisher from Warehouse Direct. Then called Peter Furmby, as another poster suggested, who recomended a couple of 3M products not found on chandlers shelves plus the Ultrafine wax. I baulked at the cost--some 80quid from DMS but after the weekend bit the bullet and ordered the lot. The finish is superb- about 10 hours work on my 33 footer but the 23 year old gelcoat looks like new. The finish is addictive as others at my club are now ordering the same.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson