Buffing a Boat

[Ramblin'man]

Anyone out there ever buffered a boats finish? I have a 95 Bayliner that is in great condition but the extra wide blue stripe down the side has faded. People keep telling me to get a buffering/polishing pad for a power drill and buff it really good then wax it. Will this work on the finish to bring some shine out in it and if so I need some tips: type of buffering wheel, techniques, should I do it dry or buy a compound to use, waxing after etc..... As always, thanks for the help!

 

[oops!]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

this is what some of the pros use in canada.

a sander polisher....harbour freight will do....

you might need a 3m compound to get rid of the oxidization....i use farecla 100 paste....then the glaze.....looks like a mirror when done

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

Skip the power drill and orbital buffer. Use a rotary buffer, and you will need a cutting compound.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

What Fordiesel said. You need a cutting compound with a wool pad. 3M has some great compounds, and my favorite is Imperial Compound. Put some on a wool pad on an orbital and stand back in amazement. Imperial is both a cutting compound and polishing compound. It remove sanding scratches from 600-800 grit. Amazing stuff. Follow with good wax. Check out some youtube videos of cutting compound in action, especially the one with the boat with the faded blue stripe.

 

[gjmsd]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

Hand rub some TR3 Resin Glaze Polish on it. It's done wonders for faded finishes for me. Works fast and you don't even need a power buffer.

 

[master bowman]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I have detailed cars since i was a little kid, i just want to say, beware the advice. If your blue stripe is a sticker, DO NOT BUFF WITH ANY TYPE OF COMPOUND OR BUFFER/DRILL, if it is a sticker you will want to stick to a hand applicator. it takes a long time, but it is really easy to burn through a sticker with a mechanical tool used in buffing. Mothers makes a carnouba cleaner wax that works amazing for removing oxidation. if this is a painted on aluminum or metal, but doesnt have a clearcoat, many types of buffing compounds will remove it from the metal.

be sure no to get anything too coars, buffers work by putting thousands of smaller scratches in the clearcoat to hide the bigger ones. so if you use a more abrasive compound it could eat your clearcoat right off in a hurr. hope this helps.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I just buffed my latest boat and two others to bring back a shine these boat havent seen in years. A Harbor Freight buffer with RPM control for $60, a buffing bonnet for $10, 1200 & 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper $6 Mequires oxidation remover $10. craftsman orbital waxer $70. Mequires cleaner wax $8. 3 cases of beer - $45. all done in 3 days. (taking pride in making them shine - Priceless)

First, wet sand the boat using lots of water
Second buff the area to a shine with the oxidation remover
Third clean the pad
Fourth apply wax with orbital waxer (they really dont spin fast enough to buff)
fifth buff in wax
sixth go boating.
liberally apply beer as needed.

 

[oops!]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I have detailed cars since i was a little kid, i just want to say, beware the advice. If your blue stripe is a sticker, DO NOT BUFF WITH ANY TYPE OF COMPOUND OR BUFFER/DRILL, if it is a sticker you will want to stick to a hand applicator. it takes a long time, but it is really easy to burn through a sticker with a mechanical tool used in buffing. Mothers makes a carnouba cleaner wax that works amazing for removing oxidation. if this is a painted on aluminum or metal, but doesnt have a clearcoat, many types of buffing compounds will remove it from the metal.

be sure no to get anything too coars, buffers work by putting thousands of smaller scratches in the clearcoat to hide the bigger ones. so if you use a more abrasive compound it could eat your clearcoat right off in a hurr. hope this helps.

not to disrespect your years of buffing cars.....i appreceate the wisdom......but gellcoat....the pigmented resin that is on boats....is totally different than paint on cars.

the materials to buff with are different.....the products are totally different... use car material.....even wax on a boat....and there is consequences

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I dont think he has to worry about clearcoat on a boat. I'm assuming he was talking about a painted stripe because you couldnt buff out a decal, and the advice I gave is solid and foolproof. I do it and have done it many times. My suggestion to check out the youtube videos shows exactly what to expect when using imperial. All finishes have scratches and the purpose of the compound and polish is to make them so miniscule they can't be seen. To the original OP, I will send you links if you want. Just my 3 cents...

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I just buffed my latest boat and two others to bring back a shine these boat havent seen in years. A Harbor Freight buffer with RPM control for $60, a buffing bonnet for $10, 1200 & 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper $6 Mequires oxidation remover $10. craftsman orbital waxer $70. Mequires cleaner wax $8. 3 cases of beer - $45. all done in 3 days. (taking pride in making them shine - Priceless)

First, wet sand the boat using lots of water
Second buff the area to a shine with the oxidation remover
Third clean the pad
Fourth apply wax with orbital waxer (they really dont spin fast enough to buff)
fifth buff in wax
sixth go boating.
liberally apply beer as needed.

Wetsanding does wonders and so does the beers!!!!

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Buffing a Boat

I know the blue area you are referring to, it's on my '85 Bayliner.

I used Meguiar's One Step, with a buffer, and am very happy with the results.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Buffing a Boat

Lots of opinions and products out there. Here is mine...

Check the "aqua-buff" product out. Inexpensive ($30 for compound and polish) and simple instructions. Plus it is water-based, so clean up is easy.

It is designed for a 2500RPM polisher -- $50-$60 @ harborfreight.

Follow up with a good wax and your boat will shine right up. Mine was dull and chalky. Now nice and shiney!!!

last year when I bought it...

This year after some restyle and buffing

The red stripe was a vinyl graphic that I repainted.

 

[master bowman]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

not to disrespect your years of buffing cars.....i appreceate the wisdom......but gellcoat....the pigmented resin that is on boats....is totally different than paint on cars.

the materials to buff with are different.....the products are totally different... use car material.....even wax on a boat....and there is consequences

I guess i should have kinda thought a little about how i said that, i wasnt meaning to bash anybodys knowledge on here, i am very new to the boat world and it would make sense that boad finish is different than automotive. I just wanted to warn about buffing through decals and removing paint stripes off aluminum. just out of curiosity, what kind of consequences would there be to using a wax for cars on boats. all wax really does it shine a clearcoat and repel water. I suppose submerging it in water for a longer period of time could affect it. Thanks for the wisdom, will appreciate a reply.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I personally don't think there is any difference in the waxes. I use Collonite on my truck and it does a great job. Some of the best top dollar boat waxes are pure carnauba and are the same products that you would use on a vehicle. I just tried the Meguires Tech wax and it is made for marine, cars, etc.....Your not bashing just stating an opinion. That's what this forum's all about. If we all agreed, the threads would not be very long....

 

[mohead1]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I did exactly what Scott (Danforth) did, especially on the red bottom half of my Wellcraft, it was fading away, and it came out really nice. And Calvinator, really nice job, I like your boat (course Im partial to Wellcraft and SeaRay,hehe)...I hope to get my old Wellcraft looking like that one day!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I learned doing body work on cars......LMAO mohead1, I bet your boat went from pink and dull back to red and shiny in no time as well.

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I did exactly what Scott (Danforth) did, especially on the red bottom half of my Wellcraft, it was fading away, and it came out really nice. And Calvinator, really nice job, I like your boat (course Im partial to Wellcraft and SeaRay,hehe)...I hope to get my old Wellcraft looking like that one day!!

Me too. Wet sanded the whole boat. Then compound and wax. Unbelievable!

 

[gtochris]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

I just buffed my latest boat and two others to bring back a shine these boat havent seen in years. A Harbor Freight buffer with RPM control for $60, a buffing bonnet for $10, 1200 & 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper $6 Mequires oxidation remover $10. craftsman orbital waxer $70. Mequires cleaner wax $8. 3 cases of beer - $45. all done in 3 days. (taking pride in making them shine - Priceless)

First, wet sand the boat using lots of water
Second buff the area to a shine with the oxidation remover
Third clean the pad
Fourth apply wax with orbital waxer (they really dont spin fast enough to buff)
fifth buff in wax
sixth go boating.
liberally apply beer as needed.

Any need for a wool pad?

My boat is all white, but looking oxidized, I used the Meguiars 3 step products and did the Oxidation remover and polish with a rotary and have been since following up with wax every few month but it seems to need something more as soon as the products break down I'm left with an oxidized boat so I'm contimplating wetsanding.

I have wet sanded cars in small areas, but not familiar with boats, I know they are more forgiving, but dont want to mess it up...

 

[captainzac]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

If you use 3m products they will match up the compound with the pad
its called the 123 system
wool is needed for heavy compound

 

[mpdive]

Re: Buffering a Boat

Re: Buffering a Boat

Wet sanded my whole boat with 1000 grit until the gel coat was dull. Then I used 3M Imperial compound on a wool pad which within 20 seconds had a beautiful shine on the gelcoat. Followed up with good wax and boat looks showroom. I was scared to death to do mine but the neighbor does fiberglass repairs and painting daily. He showed me how and got me started and the rest is history. Harbor freight has a great orbital for cheap too.