Recommend me some polish!

Iain C

Iain C

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 Oct 2009
Messages
2,366
Visit site
Right then, 1200w ninja polishing machine has arrived, complete with a selection of foam mops. I want to polish two things on the boat...

1. Cabin top. 40 year old white gelcoat, not too bad if I'm honest. Responds very well to hempels cleaning powder, but just a bit oxidised and stained in places. I'm not looking for perfection, but a bit of a shine would be nice, and hopefully repel the dirt/seagull **** for longer.

2. Topsides. 2 year old brush painted International 1 pack as the old gelcoat was a bit knackered. Could probably do with flatting down with 1200 grit but doubt I'll have time before launch date. Perhaps something pretty aggressive would do some of the flatting for me.

27' boat, dont want to spend a fortune or get showroom finish, and don't want to spend forever doing it.

Over to the collective!
 
It's a three stage process if you want the best result. First you need to compound, then polish and then wax. I use 3M compound and polish with the appropriate lambswool bonnets, which I find easy to use. I used to use 3M wax as well but now finish of with Meguires wax which I have found excellent. However, various other contributors to the forum will have their favoured products; it should not be too much work on a 27' boat if you have a decent polisher.
 
2 coats of Meguiars polish, followed by 2 coats of Meguiars wax. Easy to do by hand. Even easier with a machine. Lasts well.
 
Thanks all. A multitude of replies then!

TBH I tried a very old tin of boatlife that was lurking in a locker and the results are great. I think it's much more down to the polishing machine than the product...and to be honest it's a case of getting he balance right...cabin sides you need welding goggles to look at are a bit wasted with old sails and an old gold anodised mast that's seen better days!
 
SAWDOC said:
Hi Ian

Seems we are all after the same thing - nice shiny finish without too much hardship!

This link here would wear you out just reading it but there is a lot of useful stuff therein. And it was recommended in another recent thread which is where I came across it

http://www.anything-sailing.com/showthread.php/4538-Tips-For-Buffing-amp-Waxing-Gelcoat?p=55686.
Click to expand...

+1

Just done mine as per instructions on link and using recommended products. Came up lovely, looks like a new hull on a 1988 boat. Well pleased.
 
RUSSH said:
+1

Just done mine as per instructions on link and using recommended products. Came up lovely, looks like a new hull on a 1988 boat. Well pleased.
Click to expand...

Did you invest in a good quality buffer and buffing pads as recommended or had you another approach? The Makita 7" Electronic Polisher-Sander. Model: 9227C is expensive and I wondered if it was a worthwhile purchase.
 
Last edited:
Products to suggest would depend on the condition and the required stages matched with each.
Make sure you are working on the surface rather than old product or scale.

Wouldn't stray too far from 3M, use finest/softest/mildest first, but use what brand you have, they will all work, some better than others.

It is not a simple one pass operation of a particular polish that gets the finest results, you have to diagnose which stage will remove all the level of defects in the gel coat, oxidation, swirls, scratches with minimal depth damage to the good gel in the process, so that a uniformed surface can be polished up to a full, deep shine that will protect and last.

To do this, you need to study the surface close up, with strong light behind you, see all the imperfections and come up with a game plan for how to remove them. If there are lots of scratches say and you do a pass of a certain grade and pad combination, check again and see what the result was to the scratches. By doing this, you will learn what each stage and various compounds and polishes have on a surface.

The prep, choice of product grade, pads used and technique are far more important than product, the right ones just help so much more.

(The Makita 7" Electronic Polisher-Sander. Model: 9227C) is a legend, let down a little by the weight but is the best in its weight class. It's less noisy than most, geared well and will last & last.

These are worth a look, they are light, smooth running, easy to handle and last well under pressure for long durations of polishing.
 
SAWDOC said:
Did you invest in a good quality buffer and buffing pads as recommended or had you another approach? The Makita 7" Electronic Polisher-Sander. Model: 9227C is expensive and I wondered if it was a worthwhile purchase.
Click to expand...

Same as the Makita

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3024920&highlight=makita#post3024920

I use the AOC 2000 compound followed by (as recommended in this thread) the Meguiars polish and wax (they also do a compound product).

See if "Factor O" http://www.factoro.co.uk/ (man with a van) visit your marina; good prices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top