What do you buff your dinghy with?

woggy718 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:46 am

What do you use to wax your boat? Electric orbital buffer, circular polisher, or by hand? Also, what product do you use? I have always waxed by hand but I have an orbital buffer but was always scared to use it because I didn't want swirl marks.

M3eater · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:42 am

You'd have to really try hard to get an orbital buffer to give you swirl marks .... especially on white.

I use both an orbital and a regular power buffer. If you are only keeping up with a gel coat that is in good shape (just light polishing and the waxing) the orbital is a good choice. If you have heavy oxidation to clean up, the power buffer works better for that. I have learned how to use the power buffer for regular use .... without damage, both on the boats and the cars. However, the orbital is easy to use and practically goof-proof.

woggy718 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:08 am

When we first got the boat, the gell coat wasn't in the best of shape. The past two springs, I have spent considerable time with some oxidation remover and an circular polisher to remove the oxidation. I finally have the gel coat in the condition (or at least close) to the condition I would like to keep it in.

I have used two different products and the jury is still out on them but I used a "Bow to Stern" micro polish/wax the past two seasons and it was pretty good stuff. I have also used the 3M Marine wax midseason last year.

Do you apply with the orbital buffer or circular polisher?

Thanks for all your help

M3eater · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:56 am

Our gel is in good condition (as was the 97 245 Sundowner), so I just use the orbital.

I use it to apply the wax (and or polish), remove the wax, and final polishing.

I had used the West Marine Teflon polish/wax on the 245 and the results wer very nice. Super deep shine. I always got comments on our nice "new" boat (at a point where it was 8 years old).

On the 268, I've been using the 3M products (after some recomendations here) and I think they do a great job. I've even been using them on the cars (with the orbital).

91 M5 with 3M polish then wax, using the orbital:

impulse · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:49 pm

Woggy - I got my boat new so I haven't had to go through the "restoration" period you have, but I had fantastic results at the end of the summer last year with the following products:

I added the powerball to my routine also and absolutely loved using it. I just put my drill on slow speed. I feel like it apply's the wax much more even and deeply than I can by hand. I had no issues with wax slinging either.

Then I got one of these, using hook and loop to attach to an old crapsman sander/polisher I have to bring up the shine after I've wiped everything clean with microfiber. Works awesome to bring up the shine:

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:02 pm

You should read through this thread, there are alot of choices as well as preferences on what wax/polish/cleaner/compound to use.

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

I stick by my recommendation on that thread. When I need to use compound to remove oxidation, I use a Makita 9227C rotary to apply. Then follow with the same buffer and 3M
wax. I have an orbital that works okay for applying wax, but thats about it.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:27 pm

Would you feel safe using your rotary to apply wax to your car?

woggy718 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:36 pm

Don't know. I havn 't hand waxed a car in over a decade. Need to though :oops:

I have always hand waxed my boat but I do have an orbital and it would go much quicker but I am just affraid of using it. Wierd I know.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:19 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

Would you feel safe using your rotary to apply wax to your car?

I would.......

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:20 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

firecadet613 wrote:

Would you feel safe using your rotary to apply wax to your car?

I would.......

So it'd make more sense to buy a rotary before you bought an orbital, and not vice versa?

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:02 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

firecadet613 wrote:

Would you feel safe using your rotary to apply wax to your car?

I would.......

So it'd make more sense to buy a rotary before you bought an orbital, and not vice versa?

That's up to you. B

impulse · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:19 am

If you have reservation about using an orbital or rotary type device to apply your wax, try the power ball. It's a small investment and you can control the speed. I had problems with wax slinging all over the place using my orbital as there's no way to slow it down. The rotary or sander/polisher type devices spin too fast and feathering the trigger is a pain. The power ball is a great alternative. I know I sound like a commercial, but for me it works great! It apply's the wax very evenly with a nice thin coat, so removal is also much easier. I've really had fantastic results with it. I did my boat 1 year old and a friends boat 7 years old and his had never been waxed. The finish looked like new. Sorry, I'll stop now.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:33 am

I've got a Porter Cable 7424, and a few red, orange, and white pads on order. When it comes in I'll get my wifes car and my truck done, then the boat.

farleywilbur · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:03 pm

impulse wrote:

If you have reservation about using an orbital or rotary type device to apply your wax, try the power ball. It's a small investment and you can control the speed. I had problems with wax slinging all over the place using my orbital as there's no way to slow it down. The rotary or sander/polisher type devices spin too fast and feathering the trigger is a pain. The power ball is a great alternative. I know I sound like a commercial, but for me it works great! It apply's the wax very evenly with a nice thin coat, so removal is also much easier. I've really had fantastic results with it. I did my boat 1 year old and a friends boat 7 years old and his had never been waxed. The finish looked like new. Sorry, I'll stop now.

So you use the powerball to apply the wax right? So what do you use to buff it off? I have come close to buying one but dont have a lot of confidence with waxing my car or boat. Thanks.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:12 pm

Why not apply the wax by hand?

Buff off with the power tool?

www.iFourWinns.com

What do you buff your dinghy with?

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