Rotary Polishers - any recommendations?

[PEJ]

Thinking of using some gift vouchers to buy a rotary polisher for the boat.

Any recommendations of what to get?

I guess I want a kit with all the various head options do I?

 

[Leaforge]

try www.theultimetfinish.co.uk i got a polisher and all the bits, its spot on and next day.

 

[maby]

If you are planning to use it with the boat in the water, but a 12v one - much safer than a mains powered one with the risk of splashing and contact with sea water. I have a relatively cheap Halfords car polisher and it seems to do a decent job.

 

[rafiki_]

I have the Silverline polisher from BoatSheen, and have used it with their prep and polish with great results. I have managed to dink the extension socket in the drink, but this through the shorepower switch only, so no disasters to date. I now use Siveryak Canuba wax, as recommended by Firefly. Great stuff!

 

[Firefly625]

I have the Silverline polisher from BoatSheen, and have used it with their prep and polish with great results. I have managed to dink the extension socket in the drink, but this through the shorepower switch only, so no disasters to date. I now use Siveryak Canuba wax, as recommended by Firefly. Great stuff!

Really please someone else has the pleasure of using Silveryak polish, it is really good! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boat-Wax-Marine-Cleaner-Polish-Carnauba-Wax-for-season-long-protection-shine/321204020728?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286%26meid%3D1837886828836327972%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D181225756758%26


As for polishers... I buy them for our business from time to time and lately have been replacing our old units for Sealey light weight units, I must say they are a pleasure to use and I am going to replace my elderly polisher this year with one, far easier on the arms....;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-ER1700P-Polisher-150mm-800W-230V-Lightweight-PLUS-14-MM-COMP-HEAD-/290974436499?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

BTW, you don't need to get one with ALL the attachments, various ones are for sale which included a whole load of carp that you just don't need. Get a decent polisher (I recommend this Sealey one), and get a Farecla G-Mop velcro base pad and a couple of compound heads.. so this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G-MOP-Advanced-Back-Plate-/151120221608?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item232f7795a8 and a couple of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G-Mop-Compound-Velcro-Head-/310734666000?pt=UK_Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item48593ab910 - if your boats hull is not oxidised at all, compound heads may be a little harsh so buy the polishing heads instead... also a word of caution, if you have not used one of these before they take a bit of practise, use on a slow setting, it is possible to burn GRP if used in the wrong hands..!

 

[SC500]

I was recommended Sealey ER150P Car Polisher 150mm 60W/230V. Really does do a good job, is light weight and easy to hold. Unit has orbital rotation, so no swirl marks. Different boonets available for compound/polish application and a polish off bonnet. I would recommend buying 2 or 3 of each bonnets as they do clog and require washing after use.. Think I used 2 application and 2 polishing bonnets when compounding my boat, the boat being 44 ft. I used Faurecia products and was really pleased with the result. Polisher is only about £35 so excellent value. Main feature is to buy orbital whichever one you buy.

 

[gjgm]

Thinking of using some gift vouchers to buy a rotary polisher for the boat.

Any recommendations of what to get?

I guess I want a kit with all the various head options do I?

As long as it it a variable speed polisher, then basically you are paying for
-smooth running
-spare parts availability
-weight
-pro/amateur

The Silverline is a pretty robust agricultural machine. I also have a Makita which is far nicer to use, but then 5 times the price.
The random orbitals really arent up to it.Possibly more important is using top quality backing plates and polishing bonnets. Bin anything cheap (ie Silverline).
Add in some compounds,polish,waxes and you should be spending more on this than a Silverline polisher
And it is time consuming. REALLY time consuming.Thinks days.

 

[Groot T]

If I'm not mistaken, Rupes make some fantastic ones.

http://www.rupestool.com/p/us/en/polishers

 

[PEJ]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I have never done the cutting process, I have only ever done polish and then by hand so I am new to all this.

Looking at the on that firefly recommended, have I got this right? You get the velcro back plate and then on to that you put the foam head and you use that for applying the cutting compound?

What do you use for doing the polish? At the moment I do it by hand by putting the polish on with one cloth. Let it dry and buff it up with another cloth. How does that work if you are using a machine?

I don't mind "paying" a bit more because I am using free vouchers.

 

[PEJ]

The random orbitals really arent up to it.Possibly more important is using top quality backing plates and polishing bonnets. Bin anything cheap (ie Silverline).
Add in some compounds,polish,waxes and you should be spending more on this than a Silverline polisher
And it is time consuming. REALLY time consuming.Thinks days.

Hmmm......

I read on a car polish blog that random orbital is better for amateurs (like me) because you are less likely to burn the GRP.

I have in mind to do a bit here and a bit there when on the boat anyway rather than going at the whole of it in one go. It is mostly OK just needs a bit of attention here and there.

 

[gjgm]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I have never done the cutting process, I have only ever done polish and then by hand so I am new to all this.

Looking at the on that firefly recommended, have I got this right? You get the velcro back plate and then on to that you put the foam head and you use that for applying the cutting compound?

What do you use for doing the polish? At the moment I do it by hand by putting the polish on with one cloth. Let it dry and buff it up with another cloth. How does that work if you are using a machine?

I don't mind "paying" a bit more because I am using free vouchers.

You should only need cutting compound now and again, or at least lightly used. The foam pads are ok on car paint, but a 3M wool bonnet is another world on GRP.
Basically, the more "perfect" you get the finish, the longer it lasts. If you have a great finish on your gel to start with, then a foam pad and a wizz over might do. If you have a so-so finish to start with, you are only going to get a shorter lived finish. Never mind, you can spend another few days on it !
So, forget the foam pads, get a variable speed polisher,get some top quality wool bonnets and some decent graded products (3M marine, farecla marine are easily available)-if you use the same manufacturer, you can move between their differing grades of "cut". Start fine, and go coarser if nothing happens. You cant add that gel back on Keep the machine moving-it is ok the gel warms, but it must not get hot.
Compund and polish by machine. Wax is probably quicker by hand anyway.

 

[Firefly625]

indeed, put foam pads onto the velcro backing plate.

& I would say it does not take that long...or perhaps I've got rose tinted spec's... last year I compound mopped and machine polished Seabird hull (as normal) and my parents boat... all 48 foot of it, and with a 6.5ft keel, sitting in a cradle I had to use a scaffold tower... now that did take days! However both boats still have a lovely glossy mirror sheen to their hulls a good 7 month later...

 

[Tallulah]

Agree with Groot T, I've been using a Rupes machine for years, brilliant..

 

[Elessar]

If I'm not mistaken, Rupes make some fantastic ones.

http://www.rupestool.com/p/us/en/polishers

+1 I have one. They are light and that matters. Pricey, but paid for in the cost of one polish. I use a lambswool head and that's all you need.

as for using any 12V one, they are a useless waste of time and money.

 

[MYStargazer]

What the difference between a polisher and an angle grinder - or are the cheap ones more or less the same?

 

[RobWales]

What the difference between a polisher and an angle grinder - or are the cheap ones more or less the same?

RPM's.....polisher's nowhere near the revs of an angle grinder.

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Already had the Silverline polisher just ordered the Silveryak polish (thanks Firefly) so boat out in November for the hopefully quick and satisfactory result.

 

[crazy4557]

Really please someone else has the pleasure of using Silveryak polish, it is really good! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boat-Wax-Marine-Cleaner-Polish-Carnauba-Wax-for-season-long-protection-shine/321204020728?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286%26meid%3D1837886828836327972%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D181225756758%26


As for polishers... I buy them for our business from time to time and lately have been replacing our old units for Sealey light weight units, I must say they are a pleasure to use and I am going to replace my elderly polisher this year with one, far easier on the arms....;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-ER1700P-Polisher-150mm-800W-230V-Lightweight-PLUS-14-MM-COMP-HEAD-/290974436499?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

BTW, you don't need to get one with ALL the attachments, various ones are for sale which included a whole load of carp that you just don't need. Get a decent polisher (I recommend this Sealey one), and get a Farecla G-Mop velcro base pad and a couple of compound heads.. so this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G-MOP-Advanced-Back-Plate-/151120221608?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item232f7795a8 and a couple of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G-Mop-Compound-Velcro-Head-/310734666000?pt=UK_Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item48593ab910 - if your boats hull is not oxidised at all, compound heads may be a little harsh so buy the polishing heads instead... also a word of caution, if you have not used one of these before they take a bit of practise, use on a slow setting, it is possible to burn GRP if used in the wrong hands..!

I bought this Silveryak polish after your recommendation on here and it's very good stuff. Dead easy to apply and buffs to a great shine. Smells lovely too!! Thoroughly recommended by me.

 

[Firefly625]

My aim is to get the whole forum using this polish .. Thanks for continuing the push! (And no, I don't own the rights)

 

[AndieMac]

You should only need cutting compound now and again, or at least lightly used. The foam pads are ok on car paint, but a 3M wool bonnet is another world on GRP.
Basically, the more "perfect" you get the finish, the longer it lasts. If you have a great finish on your gel to start with, then a foam pad and a wizz over might do. If you have a so-so finish to start with, you are only going to get a shorter lived finish. Never mind, you can spend another few days on it !
So, forget the foam pads, get a variable speed polisher,get some top quality wool bonnets and some decent graded products (3M marine, farecla marine are easily available)-if you use the same manufacturer, you can move between their differing grades of "cut". Start fine, and go coarser if nothing happens. You cant add that gel back on Keep the machine moving-it is ok the gel warms, but it must not get hot.
Compund and polish by machine. Wax is probably quicker by hand anyway.

Agree with all you are saying, I had to use a high-cut this year for the first time to get a deep gloss back and always have a spray bottle of water near at all times to lubricate the compound residue before and during the polisher work.

I also use the round foam applicators (damp) to apply the compound and the wax, and wax by hand with micro-fibre cloth.