Hull polishing

[richardknight]

I went to both B & Q and Homebase yesterday to buy an electric polisher - I couldn't find a thing. I'm looking for a dedicated polisher rather than a drill attachment. The only thing which looked right was an angle grinder - are the fittings interchangeable to make this a polisher aswell? Any suggestions on what I should be looking for greatly appreciated!

Richard

 

[ccscott49]

Angle grinders are not the same, they run at much higher speeds, although some of the polishers look like angle grinders, is that where you are mistaken? However polishers are fcairly common, but you may need to look at specialist type shops, automotive or marine.

 

[simonjinks]

Hire shop - hire for two days if you are doing it alone as your arms fall off. Farecla or Crystal Glo supposed good products - i use Farecla - make sure there is no amonia though. Use a damp G mop head as it gives good results without heat build up. Keep the g Mop head damp - after use seal it up in a plastic bag for next year.

best of luck

 

[vyv_cox]

I bought mine at a car parts shop, cheaper than a two-day hire at about 30 pounds. Its great advantage is that it is far lighter than the professional item, although obviously less robust. I found when using the professional item that my arms gave up long before the two days ran out! A friend paid two lads who spend their whole working life polishing sales cars to polish his 50ft topsides, this worked out at not much more than the polisher hire, involved no personal effort and resulted in an incredible level of finish.

These polishers are orbital, i.e. the polishing head has no direct attachment to the drive shaft but are driven by an eccentric. The harder you push, the slower it goes. Don't use any form of direct drive like an electric drill or grinder, the high speed tends to burn the surface.

 

[WayneS]

Halfords should have them

 

[duncanm2000]

I managed to purchase one from local hardware shop, it cost a mere 19.99 and done a wonderful job on the hull as well as the car.
The manufacturer was Blackspur and comes it
with two polishing bonnets

 

[Guest]

Try Argos, £29.99, well worth it.

 

[Guest]

I use Farecla as a burnishing compound...G3 grade seems about right to get rid of most of the build up on the hull. Then go over the topsides with a decent quality car polish. OK, so it does take a bit longer, but at the same time the topsides remain shiny for longer!

www.boatsyachtsmarinas.com

 

[JeremyF]

Aldi have got one in today at £12. I hope they have stock by Saturday when I can get to one, as their specials go very quickly

Jeremy Flynn

 

[dickh]

I bought my polisher from Compass about 2 years ago - wether they still have any I don't know - check them out from this site.

 

[tamise]

We have one that we bought in Argos. It works fine.

 

[LeonF]

You can also buy a bonnet that fits on an orbital sander- like the Black and decker and Bosch models. But not an angle grinder.They sell them in B@Q

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[BarryH]

As the reply below, fit a polishing mop to your random orbit sander. I use my bosch sander. It has a circular velcro pad on it. The polishing mops from the car people fit a treat. The G3 compound gives a great finish. Use the mop damp and you wont burn the paste into the surface of the gel coat. finish of with a good wax based polish and it will last for a good while

 

[coliholic]

Or www.screwfix.com for £20

 

[TimLamb]

I've just done a Centaur with G3 - pleasing result.
I did it by hand and it was bearable - although I will buy a polisher eventually (first boat, first season).
Interesting point - I paid £13 at the chandlers but it's for sale on the Screwfix website for £5.99

Tim