Buffing the bottom of my boat?

07H200SS · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:17 pm

Talk to my local dealer and they told me to use a heavy rubbing compund with a buffer to remove some scratches and dulling on the bottom of my boat. Anyone have expierence with this?

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:53 pm

Here's the problem with that. There are two kinds of buffers - rotary and orbital. Orbital is great for waxing, etc., but isn't aggressive enough to remove much, even with rubbing compound. That's why orbital buffers are always advertised with phrases like, "Cannot harm your finish!"

Rotary buffers can remove anything :shock:

and WILL in untrained hands. If the scratches are large enough to be visible, I would pay a professional who knows his way around gel coat to do the job with a rotary machine.

Busacharger · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:09 pm

I repair paint scratches at work a lot and Mike is right about the type of buffer to use. Wet sanding may be needed if the scratches are deep, but then wash thoroughly to remove all loose particles before buffing, doing a small area at a time. A hand waxing should be applied after wards due to the speed of the buffer actually throwes off so much of the polish that there is very little left on the surface for protection.

casharp22 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:06 am

Any ideas on what rubbing compound to use cause I have the same problem on my black hull, I need to take out some scratches a POS did to mine when he was not paying attention to the tides.

07H200SS · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:29 am

casharp22 wrote:

Any ideas on what rubbing compound to use cause I have the same problem on my black hull, I need to take out some scratches a POS did to mine when he was not paying attention to the tides.

Local dealer told me they use Super Duty Rubbing compund made by 3M.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:19 pm

I'd go with regular 3m rubbing compound. you can get it just about anywhere.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:22 pm

Here's a great example...

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/R ... POUND.html

Just follow it up with a polish/was of some sort to really bring out the shine. Most any good cleaner/wax would probably work great.

And yeah - you'll want an orbital or something - otherwise your arms will fall off. I believe Portal Cable makes a great one that people rave about - and it's not harsh enough that you'll damage your hull.

Apply the compound by hand... Then use a good buffing pad and elbow grease to make it all work!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:27 pm

The Wax thread........

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=876&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

www.iFourWinns.com

Buffing the bottom of my boat?

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