Just purchase a polisher, need advice

B

Bajan

Member
Mar 25, 2009
86
Boston
Boat Info
2007, 320 Sundancer
Engines
350 MPI Horizons
I just purchased a sander/polisher from Northern tool, I'ts variable speed from 1000 - 3000 rpm, I've never used a polisher before. It came with rubber backing pad and wool bonnet.

Do I need to get a different backing pad? Is it better to get a terry cloth/micro fiber bonnet?

Also, any advice on what to be carefull of would be very helpfull:smt001
 
Hey Bajan
There is a ton of info on polishers/pads and other products in any polishing threads here. Just do a search on "Polishing". You'll be an expert in no time.
 
Bajan,

If the polisher is a generic brand, you will be better of sending it back. The Porter Cable 7424 is very reasonably priced, and has a very complete line of consumable pads, bonnets adaptors etc. For this type of product it is the range of buffing and polishing pads that makes the difference. You will also find lots of help and advice from folks you have the same tool and learned all the things you need to know. That includes gazing at young things in Bikinis while polishing.

Do a search of 7424 and you see all of the posts by PC devotees. I do not use the 7424 only because I already owned a professional grade finishing tool, however had I not already made the investment, there would be a PC 7424 in my toolbox.

Henry
 
It's obvious that there is quite a difference of opinions about what polisher is best.
The comment about "if it's not a random orbital, take it back" is just plain ridiculous.
Random Orbital 's are for the faint of heart, that don't have confidence in their abilities to use a rotary. Nothing wrong with them, and there is nothing wrong with a rotary either. It's all a matter of choice. Keep what you bought, and learn to use it.
 
Nehalennia said:
Hey Bajan
There is a ton of info on polishers/pads and other products in any polishing threads here. Just do a search on "Polishing". You'll be an expert in no time.
Click to expand...

BAJAN...........this is the best advice you can get. This subject has been regurgitated :wow: so many times there is no need for another thread that tries to say it all over again. You will find threads that explain the difference between rotary and orbital polishers so you can make up your own mind if you bought the correct polisher for your situation. Not only that, you will find out the best products to use to make your boat shine.:thumbsup:

Dave
 
KayKook said:
It's obvious that there is quite a difference of opinions about what polisher is best.
The comment about "if it's not a random orbital, take it back" is just plain ridiculous.
Random Orbital 's are for the faint of heart, that don't have confidence in their abilities to use a rotary. Nothing wrong with them, and there is nothing wrong with a rotary either. It's all a matter of choice. Keep what you bought, and learn to use it.
Click to expand...


Well...I should have just told him to call you then since you KNOW that it is a "ridiculous" statement. You must be an expert. I read.... "I just purchased a sander/polisher from Northern tool, I'ts variable speed from 1000 - 3000 rpm, I've never used a polisher before. It came with rubber backing pad and wool bonnet."


I guess you have not seen the damage that people do with some polishers? I have...I worked in a body shop.... Even professionals can do damage with them......and since he didn't know what was good or bad that might indicate he might not use it properly.
Comments like yours...Well...:smt009
 
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Groucho said:
Well...I should have just told him to call you then since you KNOW that it is a "ridiculous" statement. You must be an expert. I read.... "I just purchased a sander/polisher from Northern tool, I'ts variable speed from 1000 - 3000 rpm, I've never used a polisher before. It came with rubber backing pad and wool bonnet."


I guess you have not seen the damage that people do with some polishers? I have...I worked in a body shop.... Even professionals can do damage with them......and since he didn't know what was good or bad that might indicate he might not use it properly.
Comments like yours...Well...:smt009
Click to expand...


A piece of cheap advice (for what it is worth).

First, don't cheap out on a good polisher - buy the Porter Cable, it's a great model (and you will atrack many friends who will want to borrow it....). Second, please use the slower speeds until you are proficient at its use and learn the correct speeds (faster is not necessarily faster).

The polisher can make quick work of detailing, but it can also quickly damage. I would never use a power tool until I was comfortable using the products by hand.

Good Luck!
 
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Wow. Everybody seems to have a hair trigger these days. You boys need to go for a boat ride.

I own two polishers. A Porter Cable Random Orbital 7424 for application and removal of polish and wax, and a Makita Rotary with a number of wool bonnets for compounding gelcoat. The PC will never be a useful tool for heavy duty compounding. I know this from first hand experience trying to bring back the luster on my 03 420DA; (the first owner never waxed the boat, then it sat for 9 months as a seagull feces target)
Having said that, the PC is a lightweight gem for applying and removing polish and wax on clean gelcoat. Great for cars as well.

Clean the gelcoat with a rotary tool like the Makita, then once the Gelcoat is highly shined, apply your preferred polish and wax with the Porter Cable. Honestly, on a 2007 boat I doubt you have much oxidation to worry about. Always start with the least aggressive method possible to achieve the results you want.

To clean gelcoat, I use a small amount of Meguiar's Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover on a wool cutting pad on the Makita. I turn the Makita up to 1200 RPMs and work a 3 x 3 foot area until I have the shine I want. The key is to keep the tool moving so you do not get the gelcoat too hot-you can damage the gelcoat if you are not attentive. Once the cutting pad is full of dirt, I toss it into a bucket of water and put on a new bonnet and keep on working.

Once the gelcoat is clean, the PC does a great job. I use Meguiar's foam pads to apply Meguiar's polish, then two coats of Meguiar's flagship paste wax. The paste gets rubbed in by hand, and removed with either the PC or the Makita depending on how much my arms and shoulders hurt!

I have a white hulled boat, so this advice does not necessarily apply to colored hulls that are oxidized. I will let the colored hull guys address maintaining Blue, Black, Green, Maroon, etc. hulls. Once you get your boat's gel cleaned, maintenance is the key--in my case that means a monthly application of wax above the rubrail. My regimen is driven by the fact that I am one mile downriver from a coal fired power plant; your situation may be different.

regards
Skip
 
Henry Boyd said:
That includes gazing at young things in Bikinis while polishing.
Click to expand...

I can't believe anyone remembers that... It was a "glance" and not "gazing". That was my Makita and not the Porter Cable...

I have the same equipment as Skip.. and basically do what he said.

Last year I spent a whole day on the top of my hardtop with the Makita and some compound, then glaze, then polish... damn that was slippery...
 
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