Struggling to use electric polisher

[kaulbr]

Attempted to wax my boat for the first time this past weekend. I bought a 10-amp variable speed electric polisher and struggled like hell using it. Every video I watched on YouTube the guy is smoothly moving the polisher back and forth like it was a warm knife on butter. Every time I touched mine to the boat it was jumping all over the place. I couldn't make straight smooth passes with it. I tried it at slow speed and faster speeds. Tried lots of pressure and almost no pressure. The pad would "grab" on the boat and the whole thing would jump on me. I tried finishing pads and polishing pads.

Is this just some newby thing that takes getting used to or am I doing something wrong? I ended up just waxing it by hand because that was easier.

 

[TyeeMan]

I don't have an answer for you but I feel your pain, , sort of. I want to get an electric buffer but I can't find a decent enough video on the correct way to use one. I would use it on my boat and my 29 foot camper.

I do know that if you are not careful on painted surfaces you can burn through the paint. That's my fear.

A bunch of years ago I used a buffer to get the oxidation off of fiberglass Wellcraft my in-laws owned. I must say I did an awesome job, but I'll also say it was total dumb luck and I'm sure I did nothing right, , or proper in the world of buffing. Just happened to work out.

 

[dingbat]

Buffing wheel at a roughly 30 degree angle to plane. Only leading 1/3 of wheel doing the work.

 

[Bob_VT]

Be very light handed or you could burn the finish fast! It takes practice

 

[gm280]

I have no idea the type polishing compound you are trying to use, but keeping the compound wet and moving the buffer is the key. If the compound dries out the buffer will grab unless YOU control it. And use a quality polishing system for the compounds to avoid swirls.

 

[H20Rat]

What polisher? I went through a couple different ones until I found one that worked well for the boat. Random orbital shaped like an angle grinder work the best for me, easiest to control at least.

 

[JimS123]

I polished by hand for 50 years and then last year bought an electric polisher just because i'm getting old and tired. I used it about 15 minutes and then it went on Craigslist. If you use McGuire polish you only need to do it by hand.

 

[kaulbr]

I have no idea the type polishing compound you are trying to use, but keeping the compound wet and moving the buffer is the key. If the compound dries out the buffer will grab unless YOU control it. And use a quality polishing system for the compounds to avoid swirls.

I'm using Meguiar’s Premium Cleaner/Wax because the boat is a 2015 and it looks like it's brand new. I read that if the gel coat is in really good shape you can use cleaner/wax.

 

[kaulbr]

What polisher? I went through a couple different ones until I found one that worked well for the boat. Random orbital shaped like an angle grinder work the best for me, easiest to control at least.

This is the polisher I got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G49W7G2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Blind Date]

I'm using Meguiar’s Premium Cleaner/Wax because the boat is a 2015 and it looks like it's brand new. I read that if the gel coat is in really good shape you can use cleaner/wax.

Then I'd suggest to just hand wax it or use an orbital buffer. I've got a Porter Cable which works well for maintaining gelcote on boats. Severely faded or oxidized surfaces(Which you don't have but my '79 Glastron Carlson did) require a buffer like you purchased to bring 'em back.

 

[cptbill]

Nice Boat!

 

[Toyelectroman]

I have a harbor freight polisher, but due to not being able to control it i have switched to the pads that connect to my drill. Found it is a lot easier to control

 

[Scott Danforth]

set the RPM's to about 1800 for aggressive compounds and about 2200 rpm for fine polishing

you are just using the weight of the polisher on the surface, and at the 30 degree angle that dingbat mentioned.

work in a small area

a spritz bottle of water is your friend

I like aquabuff 2000 for aggressive cutting and 3M finesse it for the fine polish.

 

[crazy charlie]

The new polishers dont do well with the old style of 30 degrees angle because the new polishers have a rigid plastic wheel.they are made to lay flat.the older style which i prefer have a thick rubber wheel which will flex when you press with a 30 degree angle.the old style polsher works better for faded gelcoats because you can get more agressive leverage on it.sounds like your getcoat is like new so i recommend a wool bonnet and keep the polisher moving at all times.you dont have to do it in perfect lines .that is only necessary for old looking gelcoats.you can probably do as well with a random orbital which are much easier to use but are for a finish that is already pretty good condition .charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

And the polisher with side handle are easier to use,much less hop

 

[Sportfishing Boats Channel Youtube]

Attempted to wax my boat for the first time this past weekend. I bought a 10-amp variable speed electric polisher and struggled like hell using it. Every video I watched on YouTube the guy is smoothly moving the polisher back and forth like it was a warm knife on butter. Every time I touched mine to the boat it was jumping all over the place. I couldn't make straight smooth passes with it. I tried it at slow speed and faster speeds. Tried lots of pressure and almost no pressure. The pad would "grab" on the boat and the whole thing would jump on me. I tried finishing pads and polishing pads.

Is this just some newby thing that takes getting used to or am I doing something wrong? I ended up just waxing it by hand because that was easier.

It sounds like the pad may not be centered on the backing plate. Also the pads/backing plates included in some Chinese polishers are just horrible. I need to make a video on using a polisher. But here are some on the channel that may be helpful.

https://youtu.be/FiraUT9T1iQ

https://youtu.be/bz8I9U4_d6A