size of buffer and which wax do you use?

[reelfishin]

I watched some people wax a boat the other day and they used some pretty fast buffers. I thought they used a newer type wax or synthetic polish. Anyway I was curious as to what size polisher I would buy. I thought a little hand held would be better for doing a boat but after seeing them now I wonder. I am sure a little hand held would be good in tight spots. I am also wondering about the pads on the buffer. I would think you would go through several when they clog.

[alexander38]

I use a 7" buffer from harbor freight they go for about 35 bucks and have 5 wool polishing pads and a spurring tool to unglog them and I soak the dirty ones in a bucket with fabric softern in it. It breaks down wax pretty good.

[prowlersfish]

You can clean them when they clog . I used a lower speed orbital buffer and it did ok . A friend helping used a $$$ high speed buffer and it did good . The boat was oxidized some we used a HD cleaner wax (3M marine ) . You an get more done with the high speed one But you can screw up with one if you don't know what your doing .Thank goodness My friend is good with it . and thats why I used the low speed orbital one cuze I'm not .
I thnk they were 8 or 10 inch ( I can check )

[reelfishin]

Getting some good advice here. I have looked at the one at harbor freight. I think one of them is a variable speed. Not a bad price either. I will try some color back next spring on the little boat. I have already hand waxed it for what is left of this year. Now the ones I looked at in a ad might have been northern tool so one must check them both.

[k9th]

I use an 8" orbital which is safe for me. I am not real good with it so I haven't screwed anything up yet.....knock on teak...errr wood!

[randyp]

I like using a two-speed 7 inch polisher with wool pads and a light buffing compound to knock down the oxidation and then use a 10" orbital waxer (from Auto Zone) with a good wax to bring back the shine. Did that to the hull and will now tackle the topsides before next season. I don't think the orbital ones work as well for polishing (compounding) but are great for waxing (shining). IMHO

[davidsmith]

Ok Prowler fish. Here I go again. My boat was heavily oxidized and we compounded and waxed it last year. Meguires oxidation remover and cleaner and wax. looked pretty good when done but a pile of work. Lasted about three months. Talk about dissapointed. This year cleaned hull and put on 5 coats of polyglo in one day. Looked really good and still does. Nothing stickes to it,spider crap, no black streaks from water runoff. or any else that i can see. I do have a couple black marks from other boats rubrails I have not tried to clean but I believe they will come off without a lot of work, Does it look as good as a shiney new penny? no but so far much better than wax. Im just sayin.

[prowlersfish]

I use something like that years back did not care for it . (used it on the top sides ) . its almost like a clear coat ( correct me if I am wrong.)

but thats just my opinion . like Cetol I don't like the looks but others love it . so if it works for you keep on using it . I may try it in a small area see if I change my mine.

as far as buffer size both where 10 inch .

[prowlersfish]

I use something like that years back did not care for it . (used it on the top sides ) . its almost like a clear coat ( correct me if I am wrong.)

but thats just my opinion . like Cetol I don't like the looks but others love it . so if it works for you keep on using it . I my try it in a small area see if I change my mine.

as far as buffer size both where 10 inch .

[randyp]

Yo, Paul, when did you develop that stutter?

[rooferdave]

found this to look preety cool and am thinking about it myself
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-how ... erage.html

or there is wetsanding
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-for ... -hull.html

[larryeddington]

I just toss the pads in the washing machine, not with clothes. Worked fine, as long as you can do it without the Mrs. being around.