High speed buffing

[25yearslater]

Here's one I haven't seen. I am currently finishing up regelcoating my boat. Can anyone who has used Duratec High Gloss Additive in their gelcoat explain the technique they used to compound their boat. Hawkeye Industries recommends wheel speeds in excess of 2500 RPMs when buffing with their Aqua Buff compounds. Lower speeds are fantastic for straight gelcoat but the additive seems to change the polymer charcteristics.

 

[Joe11688]

Here's one I haven't seen. I am currently finishing up regelcoating my boat. Can anyone who has used Duratec High Gloss Additive in their gelcoat explain the technique they used to compound their boat. Hawkeye Industries recommends wheel speeds in excess of 2500 RPMs when buffing with their Aqua Buff compounds. Lower speeds are fantastic for straight gelcoat but the additive seems to change the polymer charcteristics.

If you use hi speed buffing Joe, you need to exert very little pressure with the buffer. Outside of that, the whole thing is Greek to me.

 

[25yearslater]

Hi Joe. I have been enjoying reading many of your posts. Hope you had a great sailing season now that Trinkka is safe and sound at home again. I got to the bottom of this duratec/aqua buff thing. It's still a bit of a mystery but after talking to Hawkeye industries it seems it isn't the additive that is the difference but the rubbing compound. It is made from, get this, powdered bones. Apparently it acts as more of a sandpaper than a rubbing compound. That's as near as I could make it out. One supplier, express composites, also restores gelcoat and they swear by the stuff and are standing by if any problems arise as were the folks at Hawkeye. That's what I call customer service in the extreme. It also seems that what burns gelcoat are the petroleum distilates that make the stuff. Aqua buff is water and bones so very little chance of burning. They did say keep it moist or you will have a devil of a time scrubbing it off. So there is the mystery at least somewhat solved.

 

[Joe11688]

Hi Joe,
It was a good sailing season but as soon as I brought her home before Irene struck, I just didn't want to bring her back.
Today I lowered her down with the boat stands about 6" or 8" with the keel sitting on blocks. I had stripped the mast and I'm going to use it for a ridge pole for my main polytarp. I wrapped pieces of polytarp around the mast mast for chafe protection for my main tarp and raised my boat trailer wheels off the ground for the winter.
I finished sanding the bottom yesterday and she's all set for bottom paint next year.
I'm going to leave the main tarp off for a while. I've been going in the boat and reading or taking naps lately. Today was like a summer day and I was in there with the forward hatch open taking a snooze. I'll put the main tarp on when the weather gets colder. It only takes about a half hour to cover the boat for that long winter's sleep and I can do that anytime.
I hope that you'll post some pics of your boat when you get done. My boat could use some cosmetic work but I'm not good at it. Let me know how you make out. Maybe I'll get brave and try fixing all the battle scars on my boat.
Joe

 

[Maine Sail]

Hi Joe. I have been enjoying reading many of your posts. Hope you had a great sailing season now that Trinkka is safe and sound at home again. I got to the bottom of this duratec/aqua buff thing. It's still a bit of a mystery but after talking to Hawkeye industries it seems it isn't the additive that is the difference but the rubbing compound. It is made from, get this, powdered bones. Apparently it acts as more of a sandpaper than a rubbing compound. That's as near as I could make it out. One supplier, express composites, also restores gelcoat and they swear by the stuff and are standing by if any problems arise as were the folks at Hawkeye. That's what I call customer service in the extreme. It also seems that what burns gelcoat are the petroleum distilates that make the stuff. Aqua buff is water and bones so very little chance of burning. They did say keep it moist or you will have a devil of a time scrubbing it off. So there is the mystery at least somewhat solved.

There are many products made that do not have petroleum distillates or "cheater oils".. While AquaBuff works I am not a big fan of the application of the product.

Feel free to read this on buffing gelcoat.

Tips For A Great Buff & Wax

 

[JRacer]

You might try contacting www.autogeek.net They are mostly aimed at autos but know their stuff when it comes to polish, buff, wax, etc. They sell some boat related products as well. I'd bet their tech gurus can speak intelligently about your issue.

 

[25yearslater]

Thanks Maine Sail. Rbone suggested your thread. I'm still thinking your method might be the safest. After he posted his picture I was drooling with envy. Honestly the thought of messing up at this point scares the bejeepers out of me. Thanks Jracer. I'll certainly give it a look. One thing is for sure, before I touch this boat I will be spraying up a test panel to see what happens at this high speed. If I have any hesitation about the outcome I will be following Maine Sail's procedure. I did order all the pads in your article M and thanks for the part numbers as it makes the ordering process simple.