"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