Polishing the hull-technique

[Marine Reflections]

I’ve just ordered a silver line with a “cheap” optional 115mm pad which I thought might make it easier working in smaller areas. Is there a foam mop that’s ok but not quite as expensive as the 3m stuff or do I have to bite the bullet.

And where would I get one from?

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Ebay would probably be the best place for choice, don't have to spend a fortune on foam pads. £2-3 each

Just make sure they will fit on your backing pad with a little to overlap, so if you have a 115mm backing pad, a 125mm pad will be ok.

You didn't say if you were compounding, polishing or fine polishing, but the pad choice is firmer for compounding to softer and softer the finer you go with the polish. And make sure you prime them first by spreading product into the foam.
Clean them often during working.

I only use foam pads for very, very fine polishing for many reasons, but hope that helps.

Tony

 

[VicS]

I think that 1500 rpm is too fast. I have a dedicated Draper polisher with variable speed & run it much slower. the comments about using the rotation to your advantage are valid. If you angle the pad so that the rotation is lifting the polisher rather than forcing it downwards it will ease muscle strain. However, some polishes can be applied by hand just as easily & provided one works from a tower with the work at chest height the job is far easier.

I have a Silverline sander/polisher. The speed is variable from 800rpm to 3000 rpm

 

[Marine Reflections]

I have a Silverline sander/polisher. The speed is variable from 800rpm to 3000 rpm

That's really the range you want and one would probably use a wide spectrum of that window depending on pad / polish choice.

The range is really; 'the more coarse the polish the less speed', but for ones that have diminishing particles, you'd start off slow and increase the throttle the more the product was worked.

Very difficult to provide a set speed or range as it depends on so many other factors, but 800 - 3000 is a good range to have.

 

[wotayottie]

much the best hull polishing technique is to hire the local guy who does that job. there are some bits of boat maintenance that are interesting and even fun but hullpolishing like antifoul scraping is one of those jobs worth paying someone else to do.

 

[savageseadog]

much the best hull polishing technique is to hire the local guy who does that job. there are some bits of boat maintenance that are interesting and even fun but hullpolishing like antifoul scraping is one of those jobs worth paying someone else to do.

I totally disagree. They are low skilled jobs that owners should do.

 

[shaunksb]

Ebay would probably be the best place for choice, don't have to spend a fortune on foam pads. £2-3 each

Just make sure they will fit on your backing pad with a little to overlap, so if you have a 115mm backing pad, a 125mm pad will be ok.

You didn't say if you were compounding, polishing or fine polishing, but the pad choice is firmer for compounding to softer and softer the finer you go with the polish. And make sure you prime them first by spreading product into the foam.
Clean them often during working.

I only use foam pads for very, very fine polishing for many reasons, but hope that helps.

Tony

Thanks for that Tony.

I plan to compound first then fine polish then hand wax.

I didn’t know the pads were of a different firmness!

I was planning to get the g3 stuff.

I’ll practice on an area first until I’m comfortable with it.

I might even try to get the scratches out of three of the corners of wifies car...

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[Marine Reflections]

Thanks for that Tony.

I plan to compound first then fine polish then hand wax.

I didn’t know the pads were of a different firmness!

I was planning to get the g3 stuff.

I’ll practice on an area first until I’m comfortable with it.








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Yes, G3 is good, follow with G10 (Farecla).

Yes, get one area you are happy with, will set the path for the whole.

 

[jac]

I totally disagree. They are low skilled jobs that owners should do.

Depends how much you value your time and sanity. for an annual maintenance polish i'm kind of with you but cutting back a faded and oxidised gelcoat is a lot of work. It could take 2-3 days plus which assuming you are working means maybe another 2 weekends ashore. The saving in yard fees will offset a decent chunk of the professional cost.

 

[vyv_cox]

I agree totally with wottayottie. At this minute my topsides are being polished by two guys with muscles all over who do the job on a daily basis. We have polished ourselves in the past but our 33 year old boat now looks far better than she ever has in our 23 year ownership.

 

[Marine Reflections]

It could well be cost effective to learn (self teach) how to look after the boat yourself, if you don't already know everything, you'll know most things.

How far you go down this route and in what direction is a personal matter for the owner.

There's a lot to learn with boat ownership and a popular way to spend time on the boat alone with your thoughts is on the maintenance side of things.
Some find it a drag, others take pleasure.

Tackling all the demands on a boat won't give you as much time to enjoy boating, unless you see the maintenance as part and parcel.

 

[Quandary]

There is a company called 'T for Tools' who offer polishers from GMC, Sealey, Silverline etc. at a decent discount, they are in Lurgan, NI so to compensate/compete include free UK 2-3 day delivery. Their target market is the construction industry but stock some useful DIY stuff at what seems like competitive prices.

 

[vyv_cox]

It could well be cost effective to learn (self teach) how to look after the boat yourself, if you don't already know everything, you'll know most things.

How far you go down this route and in what direction is a personal matter for the owner.

There's a lot to learn with boat ownership and a popular way to spend time on the boat alone with your thoughts is on the maintenance side of things.
Some find it a drag, others take pleasure.

Tackling all the demands on a boat won't give you as much time to enjoy boating, unless you see the maintenance as part and parcel.

But there is far more to it than that. I have done every job on my boats for many years. But there comes a time to all of us when the highly physical activities are better done by somebody 50 years younger. The polishing of my topsides done today is better than I could have achieved in my prime, never mind today.

 

[Marine Reflections]

But there is far more to it than that. I have done every job on my boats for many years. But there comes a time to all of us when the highly physical activities are better done by somebody 50 years younger. The polishing of my topsides done today is better than I could have achieved in my prime, never mind today.

Indeed, there is far more to it and I completely agree with you.