Use of low power random orbital sander for compounding/polishing topsides

[eddystone]

I've seen people use quite expensive polishers on boat hulls that look as though they need some skill to avoid swirls; I was going to try out the polishing sponge/felt/bonnet attachments for the relatively low power 125mm random orbital sander I already possess (Bosch 220)- essentially polishing but a few areas where I need to use compounding paste; have people used random orbitals with any success for this?

Also I have Plastic Padding Gelcoat filler which works pretty well for chips on dinghy hulls and foils - has anyone used their Marine Epoxy Filler - all the other manufacturer's packs are fat too big for what I need?

 

[niccapotamus]

just used the silverline polisher - it works really well - done all of the cutting and polishing - just the waxing next. there are also some good old threads on here.

it is also cheap - relatively - the polishing mops (3M) and products make the cost of the polisher pale into insignificance

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-...424780436&sr=8-2&keywords=silverline+polisher

 

[bikerbill]

+1 on the Silverline polisher, you can control the speed which is good, though it's a bit heavy after a while. Remember to squirt water on the area you are compounding to stop the gelcoat burning. The Epoxy filler is good, just think of posh cataloy. I also use small compounding / polishing pads that fit on a cordless drill, ideal for those small areas.

 

[Trundlebug]

Before I bought a Silverline polisher I tried using an orbital type polisher.
I wasted 2 hours of my life doing a very small area, and the results were poor.
I would have done a bigger area, and got better quality doing it by hand in the same time.

Try it if you want to, but genuinely if you only have a small area and you don't want to buy a proper polisher, do it by hand.

 

[VicS]

Another vote for the Silverline polishers
Although mine is not the Siverstorm model, is a little less powerful and a little heavier but only £41.33 from Toolstation

http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Power Tools/Sanders and Polishers/264569

 

[salar]

+1 for Silverline. I wasted £20 on a two handled "polisher", sold it at a boat jumble for about £5 after an hour's use. Do the job properly in half the time with a decent polisher. Agree on the weight thing, although anything will feel heavy after a couple of hours polishing things above head height.

 

[eddystone]

Good tip on the Silverline - £39 at MP Tools - looks a lot more comfortable to use than the orbital sander

 

[niccapotamus]

our boat is 30ft and it has taken the best part of a couple of days, compound, then polish, then wax. re wax - get the liquid variety not the paste!!

my arms and shoulders ache from holding the silverline. i dread to think how long it would take if not using the proper equipment

 

[Sneaky Pete]

It's a bit of an education learning how to polish a hull. Types of compound, types of polish, grades of sponges, mirco fibre cloths, but good fun and satisfaction when you get the right result.