[Rhodes22-list] Buffing/polishing products

[Jesse Shumaker]

Frank, I think you'll find the orbital buffer/polisher to be helpful.
There are plenty of brands/models to choose from.  I watched a few of
youtube videos for reference before I did this for the first time and here
are a few of the tips I recall:

   - Don't press too hard since you want to make sure it is still moving
   around sufficiently.  I put some marks with a sharpee marker on the side of
   the disc facing me so I could easily see how much it is rotating
   - Always make sure to keep the pad wet with the product you are using.
   You don't want to damage the paint job with a dry buffer .pad
   - Don't tackle too big of an area at once and spread some of the product
   around the whole area before going in detail

If you choose to use foam pads, they make sets with different levels of
abrasive/softness.  I used a terry cloth to wipe off the product (polish,
wax, etc.) by hand after application.  Good luck!

- Jesse

On Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 9:05 PM Frank Goldsmith <goldsmith.cf at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Jesse,
>
> That is very helpful information indeed, exactly what I was looking for —
> thanks very much.  I do have an unopened 500 ml. bottle of 3M Marine
> Restorer and Wax that I ordered from Home Depot, but I thought maybe it
> would not be adequate for the entire hull.  I’ll check out the Meguiars
> products.
>
> I have also thought that I should buy an orbital polisher.  A Boat US
> article recommended a Shurhold buffer/polisher (
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OIBRCQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A4ZSBADJP7DJM&psc=1
> <
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OIBRCQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A4ZSBADJP7DJM&psc=1>),
> but it’s a little pricier than the one you mention.  I was tempted by a
> cordless Dewalt, thinking I could use the same battery as I have in my
> cordless drill, but from the reviews I’ve read the batteries tend to get
> exhausted pretty quickly in a cordless buffer.  I think I can string
> together enough extension cords to reach from the power supply to where my
> boat is parked on its trailer.
>
> I really appreciate the help.
>
> Best,
>
> Frank
>
> > On Feb 21, 2021, at 9:47 PM, Jesse Shumaker <
> jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Frank,
> >
> > I've found that Meguiar's Marine / RV products work well.  If it's been
> > awhile and you have oxidation build up, you could go with their 3 part
> kit
> > of oxidation remover, polish, and wax.  You can get that at Amazon, RV
> > stores, or auto parts stores.
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Marine-Fiberglass-Restoration-System/dp/B0000AY4YT
> >
> > Meguiar's also offers some two in one products (polish and wax) if you
> > don't have a lot of oxidation to deal with and want to save some time,
> but
> > they probably are not as good as using the separate products.  3M has
> > similar products but they tend to cost a bit more.
> >
> > I briefly borrowed a rotary polisher and quickly decided that an orbital
> > was much easier to handle so I picked up one of those with a foam pad set
> > and it made application a lot easier.
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KHP9BW9
> >
> > To get around more detailed areas, such as the stern where there are a
> lot
> > of things to get around that the orbital has a hard time reaching, I got
> a
> > buffing pad set (pads with small diameter) to use with my drill.
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014SADBI0
> >
> > I dealt with any small remaining spots with just elbow grease and a rag.
> > Hope that helps.
> >
> > Jesse Shumaker
> > S/V Zephyr
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 2:11 PM Frank Goldsmith <goldsmith.cf at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Our sailing club is refurbishing the docks, so my Rhodes is perched on
> its
> >> trailer on dry land for while. It’s a handy time to clean the hull, and
> >> yesterday I (gently) powerwashed it.  Now I need to get rid of the
> >> lingering chalky appearance.  Anyone have recommendations for some good
> >> products for polishing or waxing a hull?
> >>
> >> Frank Goldsmith
> >> s/v “Mary Bess”
> >> Lake Keowee, SC
> >>
> >>
>
>