Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

[bear_69cuda]

Good day,

I've been reading threads regarding buffing out gelcoat, but still seek some advice and opinions. I plan on buffing out my Cobalt 226 this spring, as the gel is in very good condition, but when the boat was transported from Michigan to Wisconsin during a snow storm, the shrink wrap tape that seals the wrap to the hull came loose, the wind combine with the salt and debris left a chafe mark around the entire boat mid way down the hull.

pic of boat with shrink wrap upon arrival

To date I've only tried using a mild rubbing compound by hand with ~ 65% restoration, but feel buffing is the way to go. A buddy of mine gave me a Ingersoll Rand No.7758, model A. 1800 rpm. 6.5 AMP buffer with 7" wheel (see pic) I'm worried this may be to much rpm and power, as it's not variable... But it was free! Can anyone advise me on product/compound, pad types I should or shouldn't use?

My hope is if I go slow, take my time, with light pressure, I can avoid burning through the gel on my boat using the free buffer...

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

Been there done that.
I have a Milwaukee buffer like yours, one speed, fast. Its Very usable, just you control the cutting by controlling the pressure. Keep the area wet with compound, if it gets dry, stop, wipe off and add more compound proceed. I have tried 3M HEAVY DUTY compound, works ok, gets dry fast, have to spend allot of time to cut deep, but good for removing 1000 grit scratches, and oxidation. Use a wool pad, to cut, never stay in one place very long, keep the buffer moving. 3M Imperial Compound is my new favorite. Someone on this form told me about it. It is 45 dollars per quart, stays wet longer, really cuts well, after using this, I finished with Mc Quires polish, wow....

You might want to start with a small area,use the polish and see if you need to get more aggressive with compound. I had major oxidation. Went stronger and stronger compound on one area till found solution. Mine was to sand with DA and 800 grit paper, then 1000, then imperial compound, then polish, will wax this sping....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

Bear........ I will volunteer to buff, polish and detail your Cobalt. Please deliver it here around April and it is a big job but I should have it completed by Oct or early November.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

With each step I promise I will fully water test it too!!!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

Bear........ I will volunteer to buff, polish and detail your Cobalt. Please deliver it here around April and it is a big job but I should have it completed by Oct or early November.

With each step I promise I will fully water test it too!!!

10-4 Bob,

On it's way! Sounds like a good deal!

Hey dellsboater,

I don't believe I need to sand or wetsand, as I don't have any oxidation or chalky gelcoat. I appreciate the compound advice. What about pads vs bonnets for cutting and polishing?

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

Been there done that.
I have a Milwaukee buffer like yours, one speed, fast. Its Very usable, just you control the cutting by controlling the pressure. Keep the area wet with compound, if it gets dry, stop, wipe off and add more compound proceed. I have tried 3M HEAVY DUTY compound, works ok, gets dry fast, have to spend allot of time to cut deep, but good for removing 1000 grit scratches, and oxidation. Use a wool pad, to cut, never stay in one place very long, keep the buffer moving. 3M Imperial Compound is my new favorite. Someone on this form told me about it. It is 45 dollars per quart, stays wet longer, really cuts well, after using this, I finished with Mc Quires polish, wow....

You might want to start with a small area,use the polish and see if you need to get more aggressive with compound. I had major oxidation. Went stronger and stronger compound on one area till found solution. Mine was to sand with DA and 800 grit paper, then 1000, then imperial compound, then polish, will wax this sping....

I think I'm gonna try the 3M Imperial as you suggested... http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...S4K7_nid=10MCKVV435gs9NQK7NZ8TZglPPP6CSWH3Sbl I found some cool YouTube vids also...

 

[captain zac]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

I use nothing but 3m products and try to stick with the industrial line (more $ though)

If I were buffing your hull I would use the least aggressive compound that addresses the majority of the boat
I would do the whole boat and then go back and address the worst spots

Example

If you decide that you can use a light compound on the majority of the boat and get the results that you wish then you might try a heavy compound on the spots that did not get the results that you desire. Or you might have to go to wet sanding only someone that is looking at the boat in person can tell. I always prefer going from least aggressive to most aggressive abrasive.
Just remember that when you go back and do the problem spots that you have to feather out that spot blending it to the rest of the hull. To do a spot that might be 6 inches you might have to work an area of about 2 ft.
Remember that the whole buffing process has to be followed. All the steps have to be followed through to the final wax. How many steps just depend on where you start.
Here are the steps

Acetone wipe down - in my opinion always needed

Wet sand ( maybe 600 grit 1000, 1500, 2000) if needed
Wash down after
Heavy Compound - if needed
light compound - if needed
3m finishing compound - in my opinion always needed
3m machine finishing compound - in my opinion always needed
Acetone wipe down - in my opinion always needed
wash down get all dirt off the hull wax just magnifies dirt
3m wax - in my opinion always needed

What ever you decide to do be sure and always try to take as little of the gel coat off as possible

Please take note this only the way that I do it and it might not be for you
I am sure that there are many other acceptable methods

Harry

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

I use nothing but 3m products and try to stick with the industrial line (more $ though)

If I were buffing your hull I would use the least aggressive compound that addresses the majority of the boat
I would do the whole boat and then go back and address the worst spots

Example

If you decide that you can use a light compound on the majority of the boat and get the results that you wish then you might try a heavy compound on the spots that did not get the results that you desire. Or you might have to go to wet sanding only someone that is looking at the boat in person can tell. I always prefer going from least aggressive to most aggressive abrasive.
Just remember that when you go back and do the problem spots that you have to feather out that spot blending it to the rest of the hull. To do a spot that might be 6 inches you might have to work an area of about 2 ft.
Remember that the whole buffing process has to be followed. All the steps have to be followed through to the final wax. How many steps just depend on where you start.
Here are the steps

Acetone wipe down - in my opinion always needed

Wet sand ( maybe 600 grit 1000, 1500, 2000) if needed
Wash down after
Heavy Compound - if needed
light compound - if needed
3m finishing compound - in my opinion always needed
3m machine finishing compound - in my opinion always needed
Acetone wipe down - in my opinion always needed
wash down get all dirt off the hull wax just magnifies dirt
3m wax - in my opinion always needed

What ever you decide to do be sure and always try to take as little of the gel coat off as possible

Please take note this only the way that I do it and it might not be for you
I am sure that there are many other acceptable methods

Harry

Harry,

This is exactly the type of advice I'm looking for... I agree with lightest compound necessary.

Do you use wool bonnets as well?

Thanks for you time!

I take it you fly that beautiful jet?

 

[captain zac]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

bear

If you go to an auto paint supply or on line that sells 3m products the pads will be numbered the same at the compound

Go to this sight and down load the catalog
there is more products here than you will need but just go the the marine gel coat section
There is also a section on pads it will show you the right pad for the right product

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Marine/Home/Products/AAD-Catalog/

 

[captain zac]

Re: Buffing, Advice and opinions needed please.

bear

read this might help
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6088028/how_to_buff_your_vehicle_without_making.html?cat=27