Polisher for topsides?

Skylark

Skylark

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I know this topic comes up from time to time but I’d like to ask for any latest or up to date recommendations?

I’m probably looking at the upper part of mid range pricing. Any particular brands of choice? How about dual action versus rotary? Any other noteworthy features?

Any polish / snake oil to recommend?

Good techniques?

My boat is now 8 seasons old and has been hand polished with Autoglym super resin polish twice a year. There is now grime ingrained within the polish so it needs a bit firmer hand.

Many thanks.
 
I’ve had good results from Farecla cutting and polishing products. My previous blue boat improved enormously with a bit of machine aided elbow grease

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Sounds like you need a cutting compound to remove the grime before applying more polish. The Farecla cutting compunds are what I use, but always have a spray bottle of water to aid lubrication and a cloth to to remove any mess. Any polisher will do the job, I use a Silverline one that is fairly heavy or a multitool for intricate places.
 
I am also confused by choice-I feel one with a couple of batteries might be way to go and light as possible and not too large? Would one branded by a polish brand be better in any way? I feel Milwaukee might be a go to make ?
 
I suspect that most branded polish products offer good/similar results, it comes down to personal history/preference. We've always used 3M cleaning/polishing products and had excellent results over the years. I think sticking with the same family of products makes a lot of sense.
 
ashtead said:
I am also confused by choice-I feel one with a couple of batteries might be way to go and light as possible and not too large? Would one branded by a polish brand be better in any way? I feel Milwaukee might be a go to make ?
Click to expand...
Try and find something you feel comfortable to use and buy that. Battery models can be fine, but I use mains tools for this job as I am out of the water to do topsides.Branding does not really matter as you are not going to be using as a work tool giving it the hard life and abuse it will receive.
 
Just bought one of these based on variable speed and relatively lightweight, it seems and feels well built - Titan TTB808PSH Electric Polisher 220-240V

After a lot of research I opted for a 3M medium to soft compound and a separate 3M polish, I have everything above the rubbing strake to do so quite a lot and having not done it before, I've taken three days off to concentrate on the job. Another job I'm not looking forward too :rolleyes:
 
several good rubbing/cutting compounds around. I prefer one of thos starting cuarse, the getting finer as you go.

This season invested in a Makita Dual Action wireless to upgrade from the traditional, corded version. DA is selectable.
Less vibration, more efficient, lighter, easier to use (no jumping around).

Glad I took the plunge and appreciate it sharing batteries with my other 18v tools of same brand
 
ChromeDome said:
several good rubbing/cutting compounds around. I prefer one of thos starting cuarse, the getting finer as you go.

This season invested in a Makita Dual Action wireless to upgrade from the traditional, corded version. DA is selectable.
Less vibration, more efficient, lighter, easier to use (no jumping around).

Glad I took the plunge and appreciate it sharing batteries with my other 18v tools of same brand
Click to expand...
I'd have to disagree with the cordless bit here. I have the Makita and it eats batteries way too quickly. To do my car takes 3-4 4Ah fully charged batteries and while I agree it's nice that the batteries work on all the tools the short run time is just frustrating. It's certainly more convenient for little and often, but for bigger jobs like topsides I'd go mains power next time for sure.
 
I'd go for a mains powered polisher on weight grounds. Something like Silverline would do, I've always been satisfied with their stuff. No need to pay top dollar for something you'll only use once or twice a year. Ignore the "buy cheap, buy twice ' merchants. Farecla is good or ask at car accessory shop.
 
I wouldn't worry about weight, fill a milk bottle with water and use it with a line to balance the weight over to the other side of the boat and it'll be weightless.
 
lustyd said:
I suspect we're having the same experience and you're just more patient than me ? It's also possible you don't press as hard so your batteries will last a bit longer
Click to expand...

Yep, and then the state of our boats might not have been the same.
The recommended method on horizontal surfaces is to let work by its own weight. I try do do the same amount of pressure on vertical surfaces, moving 1" per second and with 50% overlap. First horizontal moves forth and back, then vertical over the same area.

Happy about the time, effort and result.
 
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