buffing wax brand and buffer style?
 

What type of buffer should I use and what brand of wax? I currently have a rotary buffer w/2 speed's, and I've seen a guy using, like an egg carton shaped, foam pad, with good results. Just wondering what works best on gel coat? I seem to be getting a slight orange peel 'look' without the orange peel 'feel'. Maybe an orbital buffer would be better. I am trying a wax called Finish Cut, and I'm not sure off hand who makes it. It says that it is for the final buffing stages. Before this you are supposed to use Turbo Cut, to get out any scratches, but I didn't have to because my gel coat is in good shape, it just needs buffing.

Thanks,

Justin

It sounds like you are using polishing compounds, not wax. Orbital "buffers" are only good for taking off wax and I get better results by hand.

"Collinite" wax is very good stuff, but a pain to apply

I guess they would be posishing compounds. it says on the bottle that they have no wax. It just seems like waxing by hand doesn't get deep enough, or do enough. Should I use the non abrasive polishing wax with the buffer first, and then just wax the rest by hand with a good wax, like Collinite? BTW, where do you get this Collinite. I've never heard of it.

Thanks

Justin,

An orbital buffer is good for removing oxidation. But be very careful. Orbital machines can do more harm than good if you are not familiar with them. An orbital can ruin your gel coat.

If you are removing light oxidation go to a marine supplier like Boats US, or to your local boat supply store and get a good quality Cleaner/Wax product. If you plan on using your orbital buffer, pick up a couple of finishing pads. They will work fine. Make sure the package says "finishing" pads. Use the finishing pad and a cleaner wax to buff the gel. Then apply a couple of coats of good quality wax.

I could be wrong, but I believe "Egg carton" type buffing pads are used to remove HEAVY oxidation. Probably not the first choice of pad for the normal minor fading, or light oxidation.

It's not necessary to use an orbital buffer for wax only. Get a good quality wax specifically for fiberglass. Do not use automotive products on your gel coat.

Collinite's is an excellent wax. I've used Collinite's Fleetwax on my boat. It's made spacifically for fiberglass and produces a good shine, and UV protection. Like novascarab said, it can be a pain in the azz to put on and get off but it's worth the effort. There are easier products to use. Raceglaze, Frenzy wax are a couple. Or, pick up some McGuire's at a boat/marine place. Overall it's a good product. Just be sure what ever you get, it is specifically for marine use.

Hope this helps :)

A milwaukee or makita buffer will work, I prefer a milwaukee, but any buffer will work fine that spins at 1500 to 1750 rpm.

Finesse it from 3M will give you excellent results or you can use aqua buff 1000 or 2000. For heavy oxidation use the 1000 first and then the 2000. Aqua buff is applied differently than most compounds. spread out on the surface, mist with a light spray of water and buff.

Aqua buff is recommend to be buffed out at 2000 rpm but will still give excellent results at a lower rpm.

Use a wool pad for all of the above.

Then apply a wax product

I have tried the waxing frenzy on a number of boats and have been pretty happy with it.


Use this procedure on 90% of the boats we do.

I USED FINESSE LAST YEAR WITH A GOOD CLEAN CUTTING WHEEL NOT A POLISHING WHEEL.AND THEN WAXED OVER, OOO MANNN BETTER THAN NEW.

thanks guys! My boat doesn't have any oxidation, but I just wanted a better sheen to it, and to get rid of all the surface scratches from beach towels etc... Where do you get the Finesse product, Marine or Auto store?

Like kindnova and novascrab i also used collinite cleaner and wax. It is a litte harder to use but well worth the work. It lasts longer and like others said, it is made for the marine environment. Just search the net and give them a call. many times they run specials on their products.:p

Collonite cleaner is really good stuff. Get mine at Boat U.S. Have also recently discovered 3M Marine Buffing Compound and a small 6" Porter-Cable orbital buffer/polisher works very well to remove oxidation and yellowing from gel coat.

I would have to agree with RonS.....Finesse it and Aqua Buff are great products. I use them all the time. For light scratches and a flawless shine I would use Finesse It. I believe you can get it at any Marine store. I get mine from a distributor but I have seen it at local shops. As far as orbital buffers go I guess they alright but I prefer to hand wax. Dewalt sells a good buffer that is adjustable from 1700rpm-3000rpm...about $199.00. Good luck!

Orbital buffers don't do much on gelcoat. It's too hard. I always use a wool buffing pad, regardless whether I'm compounding or waxing.

Aqua Buff is awesome stuff. We've used it a lot detailing used boats with medium and heavy oxidation. It's inexpensive and easy to use (be sure to keep it wet).

Always make sure you wash the boat between compounding and waxing. This closes the pores and prevents the wax from "soaking in" and splotching.

Our Waxing Frenzy! is designed to be used by hand or buffed, but more often than not, hand applied will do the trick. And, you'll find it much more user-friendly than the waxes mentioned above. Deeper shine with less work....

I have a 1990 Baja that the stripes are severely oxidized, also there is alot of yellowing on the white gell coat.

A local boat dealer said they would buff it with something called "blitz" that would really maker her shine. Anyone have any experience with such a product?

I just placed an order for the Waxing Frenzy. Thought I would give it a try.

I probably missed it but I wish we got an Offshore Only discount. By the time you pay shipping it gets a little expensive.

Bob

You would not be sorry with Waxing Frenzy. I tried it last weekend and I was totally impress.

OSO DISCOUNT
 

Bob,
I'll try to catch the order and apply the discount. You can always call or e-mail if you forget to put in the discount code.

Thanks for the order.

Thanks Kim,

That's the problem though, I didn't know the secret code?

That's okey though, if this stuff works as well as you say, you can give me a discount next time I order.

Bob

Hey Justin, I screwed up, it's the rotary buffer you need to be careful with when/if you use it. The orbital {random orbit} is pretty harmless on gel {unless you drop it on the deck of your boat :( A very knowledgeable site bud of mine is in the detailing business and he read this thread. He then straightened me out on this.

I am doing my boat now with the Aqua-Buff 1000 then 2000, after that I am ordering some of the Frenzy wax,...how do I get a discount on it?.....Fred

Frenzy and a Porter Cable orbital!

I used Finesse It with a rotary buffer (carefully) and had awesome results. Thanks everyone!

I wish I would have known the secret code just ordered mine last week. Looks to be a great product just tried a little on the truck so far plan to do the boat in the next couple of weeks. I have to catch the code next time.:cool:

"SECRET CODE"
 

The code is....OSO10