Buffing the hull--what to buy

Windtherapy

Windtherapy

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Apr 25, 2015
282
Oday 26 Oscoda, MI
OK so today I power washed the bottom and it looks sweet. Then I pulled off the old stickers and adhesive and then washed the boat. Thought I would just wax it but that didn't work well. Sides are so dry there is no way....soaked it up in no time and looks like crap Got out my magical 3M compound that made my speed boat look great every spring however and did a 2x 2 spot and looks like new but I need to do this with an electric buffer.....it would take me a entire week to do this size of boat. What have others used for this? Will the cheap buffers sold at box box stores work or do I need a buffing wheel on a right angle grinder tool for this?
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
What Stu said. I read that article in total, and bought a Makita C9227 with Presta compound and cutting creme, as outlined in the article.

Not bad for a 1985 boat...



The past 2 seasons, I have only used the cutting creme. Next season, I might do cutting creme and then Presta Chroma with the foam pad. I imagine I can get just a bit more shine...
 
Picflight

Picflight

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Jul 21, 2013
333
Searching for 1st sailing boat 27-28, 34-36 Channel Islands, Marina Del Rey
Once you use the cutting compound and restore the shine, a polish and wax should go on. In subsequent years you can simply polish and wax, no need for cutting compound. The polish and wax will maintain the shine.

Cutting compounds are more aggressive, so will take off more from the surface.
 
Picflight

Picflight

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Jul 21, 2013
333
Searching for 1st sailing boat 27-28, 34-36 Channel Islands, Marina Del Rey
If first time using power polisher, get a Porter Cable dual action polisher, or Flex dual action. These are safer for the surface.
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
In the article Stu posted, MaineSail states that Presta Cutting Creme is not all that heavy an abrasive, and that most people can use the Cutting Creme with the yellow 3M wool bonnet, and stop there. His final step if you want to take it that far is to use Presta Chroma with the foam bonnet. Maine prefers the water based Presta products, and they are available readily enough from internet sources (I got mine from Amazon and an eBay store.) I think my photo spoke volumes about the products Maine recommended, and I'm just an amateur.

The article was very informative to me. The most I ever knew about gelcoat was from when I was about 14, and I learned that whatever Star Brite polish we had in the shed didn't do CRAP when hand rubbed on a chalky 13' Boston Whaler. :D:D:D

One other thing I learned is that wax does not shine gelcoat. The polishing steps remove oxidation and scratches and provide the shine, and the wax just protects the shine.

Picflight said:
Once you use the cutting compound and restore the shine, a polish and wax should go on. In subsequent years you can simply polish and wax, no need for cutting compound. The polish and wax will maintain the shine.

Cutting compounds are more aggressive, so will take off more from the surface.
Click to expand
 
Windtherapy

Windtherapy

.
Apr 25, 2015
282
Oday 26 Oscoda, MI
Hmmm, since I got the sailboat just a week agao and can launch anytime it looks like it won't be until the end of June to launch with the chainplates and hull clean up I have to do not to mention the head removed to a porta-potti with new thru-hulls. :cry: The end of June is almost like half summer gone here in Michigan. Told the wife maybe 2 months of sailing this year.

I took 3M compounding yesterday and did a 2' x 2' section and what a difference and will try a coat of wax today however to wet sand and do every step will take me awhile. I think I might just do the compounding and wax this year with a Makita polisher and then redo the chainplates and replace the entire rub rail and hatch doors and call it good for this season.
 
Hydro Therapy

Hydro Therapy

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Dec 27, 2012
587
Precision Precision 28 St Augustine
A wheel greatly helps. I've been detailing boats this year to generate a little pocket change. Hard work but I love bringing a boat back to life. A variable speed wheel is worth it's weight in gold. I have a Black in Decker that has shined up many boats and has lasted me 15 years to this point. I recently bought a cheap $20 palm size buffer from Harbor Freight. I use it on areas that my larger wheel won't get to. I'm pretty impressed with the job it does. It is not variable speed I think it turns at 3000 rpm. Harbor freight sells wool cutting pads for it at $3.00. I've used it on approximately 6 boats and a few vehicles so far.

I use the 3M super duty compound followed by 3M cleaner wax and finish with Collinite 925.
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Wind, Maine's article suggests only use the mildest abrasive that works. So if compound gets the chalk off and shines ok, don't bother to wet sand. However, after the compound, you need a finer polish (like Presta Cutting Creme or 3M Finesse It II) to remove the scratches the compound creates.

Otherwise, if you use a more abrasive step than you need, you'll just remove more gelcoat and cause yourself more work. Now that I have wet sanded and compounded, each year I do not need to do it again, as long as I protect the shine I have with wax. Maine explains this in his article.
 
Hydro Therapy

Hydro Therapy

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Dec 27, 2012
587
Precision Precision 28 St Augustine
That is true, the least abrasive you can use to bring the shine up the best off you are.

1- Extremely oxidized I start by wet sanding
2- Moderate to severe I start with 3M Super Duty.
3- Light to moderate I start with 3M heavy duty
4- Light I use 3M Cleaner wax.

I'm sure there are other quality brands available but I swear by Collinite wax to finish the job.
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,814
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Wind, Don't take on too much this first season. Get out on the water. I made that mistake my first year. Didn't splash until mid June, motor crapped out and we just sat in the slip until mid July. (Admiral would not go out with an ailing OB).
While it is nice to have a shiny hull, you only see it coming and going.
Chain plates would be a priority and any holes in the boat that could let in water another. After that go sailing and have fun!!
I did do the Main Sail treatment and the boat came out great but times a wasting and you need to get sailing.
 
Windtherapy

Windtherapy

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Apr 25, 2015
282
Oday 26 Oscoda, MI
Ward H said:
Wind, Don't take on too much this first season. Get out on the water. I made that mistake my first year. Didn't splash until mid June, motor crapped out and we just sat in the slip until mid July. (Admiral would not go out with an ailing OB).
While it is nice to have a shiny hull, you only see it coming and going.
Chain plates would be a priority and any holes in the boat that could let in water another. After that go sailing and have fun!!
I did do the Main Sail treatment and the boat came out great but times a wasting and you need to get sailing.
Click to expand
I hear ya, I just ordered a Mikita 9227C for buffing the boat so it should go fast compared to me trying to manually buff the sides. I just ordered new acrylic hatch boards and chainplates and some butyl tape so those will be next and a new rub rail but that shouldn't take too long. While I wait for those I will build a Gin pole and a mast raisinng system. I will have the head system out and new thru-hulls in within a day. Then time for launch!
 
BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
3,051
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Can't go wrong with the Makita; I have had mine for 15 trouble free years. I inadvertently wrapped the power cord around the buffing pad spindle and had to replace the cord. The cord was available online and was simple to replace. Oh, don't forget to purchase a spindle adaptor to enable you to use the 3M double sided screw on buffing pads. Good luck!!
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,814
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Yep, that Makita is nice. You're going about it right.
I did mine the spring of 2013. I think I will still get away with a good wash and wax this season.
 
BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
3,051
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
The McGuire's buffer is nice; however, it only accepts 6 inch pads---great for a car. For a boat, I would want the capability of using 9 inch pads.
 
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