"JIMinFL" wrote in message
ink.net...
"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
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JIMinFL wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers" wrote in message
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RCE wrote:
"jds" wrote in message
news:enk7g.2393$AB3.285@fed1read02...
sorry, but an orbital polisher will not restore the dull gelcoat.
they are just what they say they are, polishers, not buffers. get a
good variable speed buffer, makita, dewalt, or equivalant.
a job like this requires several steps and you can do them all with a
buffer, you just change the pads. depending on just how oxidized it
is , you may get by with a polishing pad, usually yellow in color,
and some fine compound. if not yo need some coarser compound and a
cutting pad. once the oxidation is gone, just switch to a foam
polishing pad and a good wax. apply the wax by hand and hit it with
the foam pad. if you really want to get sexy, put a good glaze on top
of the wax and put your sunglasses on, you'll need em.
i just did a friends 20 foot boat last weekend, and as jim so rightly
says, there aint no easy way to do it unless you pay someone else.
took us both all day and 2 12 pax of pepsi, but it is purdy. best
regards, j.d.
A word of caution. An aggressive buffer combined with compound - even
fine - can easily burn right through the gelcoat if you are not
careful. The gelcoat is thin on most boats, like the thickness of a
dime or less. Any thicker and it would be prone to excessive cracking.
RCE
Buffing a car/boat is not for the average person. It is best left to
the experts.
--
Reggie
That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Interesting comment Reginald. Would you care to share your definition of
an "average person"?
FlaJim,
Feel free to call me Reggie.
By "average person", I mean someone who has not been shown how to
correctly use a buffer, the different buffer pads and the different
compounds. It is very easy to burn through the clear coat or the gel
coat or just have a car that is full of obvious swirl marks.
A buffer used incorrectly can cause more problems then it solves.
http://www.automotivedetailing.com/a...ed_buffers.htm
--
Reggie
That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Now I get it. When you say average, you really mean inexperienced.
Telling folks that they are not capable of polishing or buffing their boat
or car is doing them a disservice IMO.
All you have to do is buy the PC 7424 random-orbit polisher/buffer talked
about in this thread and read the directions. Even the inexperienced can
use it safely.