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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Wax and Buff		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/12/2005 :  23:20:45  Show Profile
Does anyone wax and buff topsides by hand? Can a power polisher damage gelcoat?

I was planning to wax with a power buffer and buff by hand.
Rich

Cerberus
Hull #4695
1984 SR/FK No Pop-Top
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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  07:01:36  Show Profile  Visit ddlyle's Homepage
I used rubbing compound by hand (and buffed it by hand). Then I waxed by hand and followed with a power buffer. Wasn't difficult and looked really nice. It's been two years, time to do it again.
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coach
Navigator

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USA
231 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  08:41:53  Show Profile

Well, not everyone is that lucky. We attempted to use wax and a power buffer, but the gelcoat sucked up the wax so badly that we had to goto a rubbing compound. The people that had the boat before put some type of wax on it and did not buff it off real good. When using the rubbing compound on Sunday it started to damage the gelcoat.

So, now we must find a different route to go.

Any ideas?
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  09:58:50  Show Profile
Coach... for your situation, you might try 3M Fiberglass cleaner/restorer... it comes in two grades, one for heavy oxidation and a 'regular' flavor. If you try it, be sure to get it in the 'tub' rather than the squeeze bottle (the stuff doesn't like to come out of the squeeze bottle).

Also, be sure to wear a respirator when you buff it, it produces a lot of 'dust' as it comes off... work on small areas until you get the 'feel' of it. If you let it overdry it comes off 'hard'.

For regular waxing, I like Meguiars' pure boat wax... nice shine, lasts a long time. Their 'cleaner wax' also works pretty well but is not as agressive as the 3M product (which may be a good thing depending on your situation).
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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts
Response Posted - 04/13/2005 :  21:37:04  Show Profile  Visit John G-'s Homepage
<font size="2"> <font face="Comic Sans MS">
Rich,
I usually use regular, #7, rubbing compound before waxing and use a Makita sander/polisher to rub it out. This year I bought Turtle Wax “polishing” compound. It is a white soft paste and it went on by hand easily and wiped off with little effort. It seems to have cleaned the surface of oxidation and grime just as well with less effort and, I think, less wear on the gel coat.
I just finished the polishing today and tomorrow will wax. I apply by hand. I find the topsides have so many different little places that wiping off by hand does just as well as a buffer. I use “Fleet wax” and it’s best to do small areas anyway so hand work does the job.
There is a virtue in having a small boat.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.