Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

[bigboat606]

I am planning to compund my boat. It is a 22 ft Mako cuddy cabin so it has a considerable amount of surface area. It is not too badly oxidixed, but there are a few areas that will need some serious work; pitted gelcoat. I have read on this forum that I need a high speed variable electric polisher. I am on a budget and only plan (hope) to polish my boat every 1-2 years so I really don't need a electric polisher with a life span of hundereds of hours of hard use. Can anyone recommend an electric polisher that has enough speed and power, but is in a budget price range?

 

[Matt89GT]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Harbour Freight has a high speed buffer for like 30.00 on sale I think they are usually 39.99 its way better price than the dewalt I had some years ago and the dewalt was like 250.00 I have had my cheapy for 2 years now and used it to buff my boat last year and of course a few cars, then they offer a extended warranty with it for like 10 extra dollars. I know people say they arent worth carryin out the door and I say if it breaks I'll return it. just sayin

 

[109jb]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

I have quite a bit of Harbor Freight stuff. It is cheap in price and cheap in quality. They are fine, but don't expect them to last as long as a Milwaukee, Rigid, etc. I personally can't afford the big name brand stuff for the amount I use it. The HF rotary buffer is fine and I have one. Now my father on the other hand has money running out his *****. He has a Porter Cable orbital buffer that is really nice and was only about $120. If my HF ever craps out I'll replace it with the HF. Here is a link:

http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=11080

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

I've got the Harbor Freight one as well and it works fine.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

I tried the cheap 10" orbital polisher. It didn't have enough power to chew through the fiberglass chalk with compound. I returned it and got the 7" below. It's going strong after three seasons. Throw away the junk bonnets that come with it. In the same aisle are packs of real wool bonnets.

Here's a link to the product page.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

I have the HF one. Its going on 2yrs and still works great.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Where was this thread on Friday, I am looking at the polisher from HF, I was in the store about 1/2 mulling over will it work or not. I had the same model as RickJ has pictured in his post and I put it back...Dope, guess where I'll be Monday after work.. Thanks for the suggestion on the wool pads.... Now how about a good boat wax?

 

[seabob4]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Funny, there's a thread over on THT about HF buffers right now. HF usually takes a pounding from all the Porter, Makita, and Milwaukee guys...I guess folks don't have as much money now...

Here's my little HF air body saw, which is excellent for cutting fiberglass.

Paid $20 for it 8 years ago, still going strong. And I used to cut through 1 1/2" glass and wood b/heads at Stamas with it.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Buy lots of good quality bonnets. You're gonna need 'em.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Boat wax? Collinite. Get the cleaner too.

3M rubbing compound mixed 50-50 with the cleaner will get it ready for the wax.

If the chalk is really bad, use an 800 - 1000 grit wet sandpaper before you rub it out. You won't hurt the gelcoat.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

A high speed model was mentioned earlier, you don't want high speed for buffing. 2,400 to 2,800 RPM is the max.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Yes, the HF7" polisher works just fine. Let the machine do the work and don't force it and it won't over heat. Had mine a few years now, it doesn't get heavy use, maybe 2-4 hours run time a year, including polishing the cars.

Bought a real wool bonnet by Makita that works very well. Like others said toss the cheap bonnets that come with it and buy a few good ones.

Pros: Cheap, variable speed, gets the job done.

Cons: Noisy gear box. Open it and pack full of grease. Not for heavy use for long periods of time.

 

[Matt89GT]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

A high speed model was mentioned earlier, you don't want high speed for buffing. 2,400 to 2,800 RPM is the max.

thats why its a varible speed buffer you dont run it wide open the key is to apply rubbing compound and go no faster then 2,000 rpm's or so, its a heavy duty machine and will cut the chalk at 2,000 rpm's give or take a little, just be ready to give your guns a workout cuz after running it for a while your gonna know you was using it.

 

[scca vette]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

You want to get a ROTARY buffer and not a ORBITAL buffer for what you are wanting to do. I have 4 buffers (2 of each) and use all 4 for different situations. The Orbital buffer is great for for cleaning paint and correcting problems with paint however does not do the most efficient job when cutting. A Rotary is designed to actually cut the surface after sanding, different surfaces and paints will require different speeds (reason for variable speed buffers).

Keep in mind there is also a variety of pads and bonnets you can use to buff or polish with. Make sure you are using the correct pad for what you are trying to do and it will also save you a a lot of time buffing.

Good Luck!

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

thanks to the OP for this thread. I had been thinking about what Buffer to buy when I get home next month to start my Gelcoat Restoration on my Invader.

I just ordered the Polisher and the Wool bonnets along with the terry cloth and the Micro Fiber bonnets as well for finishing and spot waxing.

I have found with my experience in auto detailing that a good wool bonnet with compound is good for cutting and buffing, terry cloth is good for applying wax and polish, and microfiber is great for bringing out the shine.

I regular lightweight orbital is good for when you already have a good base coat of wax. By base I mean a good couple of layers. When you re-wax keeping both the boat protected and the paint from fading thats what you want to use the lightweight buffer. It has been my experience that a lightweight buffer does not have enough weight to it to evenly apply the wax and clean impurities in the paint. Believe me it makes a difference even if you are holding it up to the side of a car. I am sure the same would apply with the gelcoat on a boat. A good detailing orbital buffer is quite expensive.

I plan on using the polisher for both the cleaning and initial waxing and polishing of the boat.

I have a cheap orbital buffer purchased from WalMart to use for minor wax and re-waxing once a good base has been applied.

This winter I plan on getting the more troublesome spots re-resined and re-gelcoated / Painted. Especially where it is bubbling on the hull.

I'll def be looking for some research on that after I get her winterized.

I will probably post pictures and the process that I use in a thread in the restoration forum for you all and as a reference while I an working on the project.

MacPointMan

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Cons: Noisy gear box. Open it and pack full of grease. Not for heavy use for long periods of time.

Would love more info on the Packing the gear box full of grease. What kind did you use. and how did you accomplish this task? Just curious. I havent heard of this before.

as I said in the previous post I just ordered mine so Ill take a good hard look at it when I get home in a few weeks.

MacPointMan

 

[180shabah]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

+1 for the HF unit. 3 years old and still running strong...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Would love more info on the Packing the gear box full of grease. What kind did you use. and how did you accomplish this task? Just curious. I havent heard of this before.

as I said in the previous post I just ordered mine so Ill take a good hard look at it when I get home in a few weeks.

MacPointMan

I opened it to see if all was well, and it was. Gear wear pattern between gears was fine. They put in about 1 tablespoon of what looks like general purpose bearing grease. I packed it by hand to be about 80% full with some general purpose grease. Ran a little quieter. I think the grease they put in was just flung off the gears to the side and not actually providing much lube. The gear box cover comes off with just 4 screws. Nothing pops out or will fall out of place. Its just the drive shaft gear meshing with a bigger gear mounted on the bonnet shaft. Really simple. Its still pretty noisy, but at least I know its being lubed!

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

Mark42: Thanks for the info.

I will def look at that when I get home. Probably will just pick up a tub of regular grease and put some in there. Could be the reason some people are saying they burn out after a couple of years. Not enough Lube on the gears causing friction and more wear than necessary on the motor.

I look at it this way. 35 bucks for the tool for two maybe three seasons and who knows maybe more. Or 200 Bucks for a tool that may or may not last longer but has a brand name on it. I'll go with the 35 bucks any day. Especially for a tool that is only going to see use a few times per year.

MacPointMan

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Recommend Budget Electric Polisher

I got a extra set of brushes with mine..
I think thats what they call them for the electric motor ???.