Buffing & waxing questions

Sleeto · #1 04-24-2005, 05:54 AM

I have wet sanded the hull on my SC23 with 1500 grit - the gelcoat (white) is clean and in great condition. I am wondering what type of buffing/polishing compound you would recommend to get the best shine and what kind of wax you prefer for the best protection in salt water.

Michael Vezzosi · #2 04-24-2005, 07:50 AM

Wash all wet-sanded areas diligently, rinse with copious amounts of water per the 3M rep. I met Friday. Compound with 3M Heavy Duty Compound with buffing wheel. Wash again. Next wheel with 3M Finesse It (or Finesse II), same product, not sure of name. Then wax, with wax of your choice. I use Mothers Pure Carnauba paste wax from my auto detailing days. Many will strongly disagree here and thats fine. After Mothers, (a lot of work) I seal with liquid Starbrite wax With Teflon. $9.99 at Walmart, easy on, easy off, and really repels water. Much more enjoyable to do more often. I can't remember the name of the wax all the Whaler owners swear by, www.continuouswave.com. You can do a search there. A lot of information. Hope this helps. Vezo.

Scott · #3 04-24-2005, 08:34 AM

Paul
I have done what Vezo has detailed out.
I would also suggest getting (if you dont already have one) a real good buffer. It will make your work come out nicer and will finish up faster...like the one that has been mentioned here before ... Makita 9227 is what I have, well worth the cost as its a strong polisher. I'm sure there are many others to choose from.

Another suggestion... you may want to try two products by WoodyWax. They have a spray on carnuba wax and another product called Ultra Gloss. The Ultra gloss has a polishing compound in it IN addition to a wax. I put some on an area of the hull that was pretty heavily oxidized. I buffed it out by hand and was really surprised by the result. I then used the spray carnuba. It sat out with southern exposure from last September and it still looks great. The folks at WoodyWax said with a machine it would come out even better(again my test area was all done by hand).

I have used all those products that Vezo has used with exception to the Starbrite step over the carnuba. Vezo ... Is that what you meant when you said many will disagree?? Truthfully it sounds like it would only help to further protect.

Again ... The WoodyWax products worked great for me. I will use the buffer to see how that affects the final finish. WoodyWax has a website which will give you more info.

Ed · #4 04-24-2005, 09:01 AM

Blizzard-

Vezo gave you some good advice. My only suggestion would be use to 3M's gelcoat polishing compound (which is white and more aggresive) over 3M's heavy duty rubbing compound (which is red and is meant for paint).

I also use the Starbrite Teflon polish with very good results.

Ed

ocuyler · #5 04-24-2005, 09:53 AM

Ditto above comments. I use a wool pad for compounding and a foam pad for wax and sealer.

My best tip for buffing is to work in areas of 36" wide so you can stand in one spot and work the buffer back and forth. I apply compound to the hull with a brush and wax with a damp pad, never putting either directly on the wool or foam pads.

Practice makes perfect...

Michael Vezzosi · #6 04-24-2005, 11:40 AM

Scott, how are ya? No, where I meant that disagreement would surface would be Blizzards choice of wax. Many would not agree that an auto finish will give results as well as something designed specifically for gel/glass, and I may have to agree. However, this system works (very well) for me. A lot of work, but I only have a 20!

Ed, I did not specify that I used the white compound. Thank you. Also, 3M rep. showed me something new. It also was white, called 3M Imperial. I think it would fall in between the Heavy Compound (white) and the Finesse-It. Received sample but have not tried yet.

And Otto, was hoping you were going to say hello while in town. Wanted your opinion on my MA, and thought you might check out the refurb on the 15 Whaler. Right in the middle if addressing all of this now. Mahogoney finishing out much nicer than even I had anticipated. Part I says "Screw it." Dunk it". He did 8 coats to his 18 SC but did not last 2 seasons. Unfortunately he does not live OVER his boathouse! Get home safe. Vezo.

abl1111 · #7 04-24-2005, 03:32 PM

3M 'white compound' wheeled on in small areas. Then, Collonite's Heavy Duty airplane/marine wax - paste, not the liquid... 2x w/ the wax by hand...

Sleeto · #8 05-03-2005, 07:29 AM

Hey guys thanks for the great advice. I used my heavy duty automotive buffer with 3M Heavy Duty and then Finesse. What a great shine - the hull looks brand new!! I used a wool pad for the Heavy Duty and a foam pad for the Finesse.

Now for the wax. Lord only knows what I'll use. Talking about wax is like talking politics. I'll probably just keep it to myself.

Thanks again!!!