Compounding Technique

[NYSail]

Hello again,OK, so I am using Mainsail's complete technique....all the way down to the Makita 9227C (wow nice machine!). Read all the instructions on the bottle of Superduty Rubbing compound and it does not indicate how to apply other than the basic application. I have compounded before, however never with a buffer and want to make sure I do this right. The book says to apply the compound to the buff pad and apply to the surface and then to move on when you see the compound start to dry.Questions1 - once you see the product dry, do you then go back and buff / wipe it off like when I use to apply it to my old cars by hand? Or does the wonder machine do everything in one shot?2 - How do you know when you have buffed enough before moving on?Thanks again to allGreg

 

[NYSail]

Mainsale Techn.....

I was hoping to get more information from Main Sail who has done the job several times....(just needed to get it back up top)

 

[Billcat30tr]

I could use the same information

I am planning on doing the same in Chicago when the weather gets better. Hope you get a response.Bill

 

[Maine Sail]

Been away looking at boats..

Sorry I did not see this sooner. You do not want to let the compound dry! Remember it's like a very fine grit wet sand paper so keep the pad moist with compound while working it. To keep it wet keep the pad flat to the hull and at the slowest speed. Once you are satisfied move to the next area as defined by a piece of blue tape on the toe rail. I usually do a three foot wide swath from toe rail to water line. You DO NOT want to let the buffer spin with a dry pad! Once you have buffed the area let the residue dry and wipe it clean with a microfiber rag and then some denatured alcohol to see the "real" shine and not one left over by the oils in the compound. If it needs more buffing do another round. You want is somewhat shiny but with heavy duty compound & pads it will have swirls that need to be removed with a finer grit compound such as Finesse It II #05928. The buffer only buffs it should NOT be used for removing dry compound or polishing and finishing the shine you'll load the pad with dry compound if you do. Always remove compound & wax residue with microfiber by hand.. Wax is applied and removed by hand NOT with the buffer..Hope this helps.

 

[B737]

Maine Sail

- I just got home from working on the boat......this technique is working GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I used a spray bottle to help with spreading the compound. The top of the boat may need a light wet sand first, but the sides look like new. Thanks again

 

[Maine Sail]

Glad I could help..

That's what these forums are for. I fortunately had years of experience waxing and detailing antique Porsche 356's with my father and merely transfered that knowledge to Gel-Coat. The basic principles are the same but paint is much less forgiving.. For cars I don't use an orbital any more and prefer a D/A but for Gel-Coat nothing beats an orbital like the Makita 9227C..

 

[NYSail]

Maine Sail

Do you wash the boat in between the initial compound prior to Finesse It II and McGuires #9?Got half of the boat done today (wife did I mean) and it really looks nice. The boot strip is dark blue!Thanks!Greg

 

[seadaddler]

Porter Cable 7424

How about the port cable 7424 machine how would you rateit to the makita 9227.I just had my truck compounded an waxed at my sister inlaw'sdealership and he used the 7424 and the truck came out reallygood just like new again,the price was too good to do myself.I wish I could get him to do my boat,my back is not in the bestof shape. Nick

 

[Ben L]

MaineSail

Mainesail - excellent info which I will be using today - I'm, still confused about the deck - in your previous posts about the deck; I have a 92 boat and the decks are getting pretty dull- it is a white deck with grey non-skid - overall in pretty good shape - do I just follow the same procedures as I did for the hull (sides)? obviously lots of things in the way on deck. Also, as respects the sides I know to mask off the waterline - but do you mask off the top stripe? I have hull above and below - I dont want to foul the pad (top stripe is vinyl, not paint. Thx

 

[Maine Sail]

The Porter Cable..

7424 is a D/A or dual action polisher, meaning it spins and vibrates but spins less than vibrates, and has a smaller circumference pad. While it would be the ideal and is the ideal buffer for a car, I use an earlier model of this exact model for cars, it is sub optimal for gel-coat. If you used it for the final glazing process it would be fine but the smaller pad and the less aggressive nature of the 7424 is a little to light for gel-coat. It's a great tool just not the optimal tool for doing a large boat. Will it work yes will it take forever yes...

 

[Maine Sail]

You don't need to mask

You don't need to mask off most vinyl stripes but do be careful around them using less pressure especially if you have lifting edges. Striping is cheap to replace and if you damage it while buffing just use a heat gun to remove it and replace it. Most any sign store can order it in any color and width you want.. If you do mask stripes use the 3M blue tape on it as well. Decks are a personal preference. I buff everything but the non skid and let the non skid go flat.."Do you wash the boat in between the initial compound prior to Finesse It II and McGuires #9?" Answer: No just a denatured alcohol wipe down with a microfiber rag to reveal the real shine and make sure I have a uniform shine everywhere.

 

[Ben L]

One more question

Maniesail, One more question - I compounded the hull (3m superduty) , then wiped down with microfiber rag, (I did not wipe down with denatured alcohol - perhaps this was the problem) then applied Finesse it II polishing compound (all done on the Makita 9227 with the recommended pads), and found this was extremely difficult to remove- the miocrofiber rags would barely remove it and I literally had to use my bare hand to wipe off, then follow with the microfiber rag. I'm not sure I got all the residue off as I was running out of time before the rain came and my arms were falling off... Most of the boat is looking great but I'm worried about the glazing step - should I wipe down now with denatured alcohol to make sure I have all residue off or won't it matter since it might just come off during the polishing step? and as respects he decks do you do all the same steps or just buff on some wax? Appreciate your help.

 

[NYSail]

That is the step

Where I will be next weekend. Only got 3/4 of the boat done with the superduty and boy does she shine. Boot stripe looks.....blue again!I also have not used denatured alcohol.....

 

[Maine Sail]

Ben...

Sounds like you're "burning" the Finesse It or polishing to much before wiping it down. At a maximum do a three foot wide area from the toe rail to the water line keeping the pad "wet" with Finesse It. Once you have buffed that area wipe the residue off quickly and don't let it dry on the hull for very long. If you are over buffing or "burning" the Finesse It it will be very hard to get off!Remember the pad should NEVER run dry. If it feels like it's "grabbing" the hull add more Finesse It or, if necessary, lightly hit the hull or the pad with a light mist of water from a spray bottle..

 

[NYSail]

Last step

I am doing the final step with the McGuires #9. However seems like there is residue after the buffing.....hull is very shiny, but seems like there is some shadowing...clouding when you stand back and look. Is it bad technique? Should the hull be washed prior to waxing?

 

[NYSail]

Ben

How did the job turn out?I am doing the #9 right now....

 

[seadaddler]

NY Sail

Is your winter yard on North Country RD in rocky pointnext to the furniture store going out business.Do you belong to the MT Sinai yacht club. Nick

 

[Maine Sail]

NY Sail...

Your 36-2 looks great!!!

 

[steve rainey]

buffin n puffin

I tried the componds and buffers. Then I tried Poly-Glow. If you haven't tried it yet do so. You won't be waring out your gel coat and its so much easier. The look is great, just like glass. I'm sold on it..

 

[NautiDuck]

Guys, get a room

NYSail and MaineSail are getting a bit too chummy for me...