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I tried this one under Boat Care and got no response.* I want to compound/wax my boat this weekend and don't feel like doing it by hand again.* Any one recomend an orbital buffer that they like?* Don't I need to look for something with low rpm's to avoid damage to gelcoat?* I don't want to spend a lot, once a year is probably all I will do.* Thanks.
I've worn-out two and think they are great. One of the good things about the orbital is, depending on what medium you're using, that they don't take off much paint or gell coat. I polish and wax my boat once a year and my old black Corvette 3 or 4 times a year. One of the things you might discover is how little polish or wax you use, a little seems to go a long ways.
If you have a compressor, i'd suggest getting an air tool.
You can regulate the rpm's by air pressure with a reduction va;lve / water trap filter - they are generally lighter to use than an equivalent electric tool with a heavey wound copper armature.
When heavey cutting oxidised gelcoat wityh cutting compound, lower the rpms by reducing pressure, so as not to burn thru the gelcoat. Once she's cut - you can use a wax or polyglaze type product and turn up the speed with a new sheepswool buffing pad and make her shine by upping the air pressure.
Light and easey to use - variable, controllable speed...gotta be beter than electric and no worries about electricity and water where you just washed the boat and are dragging power leads around!.
I would recommend using a pneumatic orbital buffer/sander if you have access to an air compressor and two of the best compounds I've found are 3M™ Perfect-It™ III Rubbing Compound & 3M™ Perfect-It™ III Extra Cut Rubbing Compound. They work great and will remove light to heavy oxidation.
When you are ready to step up to a pro-grade buffer, I'd recommend the Makita 9227CY electronic variable speed buffer. This one is not an orbital, but will do a terrific job if used properly. http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi/9227CY/
Good luck!
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Capt. Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~><((((*>
Thanks guys, I am looking more toward spending under $50 for an electric buffer.* I see Craftsman has a 10" single speed that provides 2400 OPM.* Is that too fast and should I look for the two speed?* Thanks
I have the Craftsman single speed 10". I've compounded mine and it worked find. Obviously, you can't be daydreaming while you are doing it, but if you're reasonably careful, you should be fine. It sure beats doing it by hand.
I know Ryobi makes one. I also think it is a DA (duel action) type but am not sure. For a larger budget Porter Cable makes a Vari speed DA that I just bought for 199.00. I think it's 5". The good thing about the smaller dia is that it will go into tighter spaces so that the hand work is less. If it warms up I'll let the board know how much I like it or how much I'll sell it for .
When I did the boat the first time I used a 10" high speed. That was a bit of work but what a shine.
__________________ 2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's
I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.
Thanks boys,* I just got back from Sears (right across from my office) and picked up the 10"* Craftsman for $34.95.*** Now I will go back to the boards and figure out if I need to compound/restore or just wax.* I like the job Megabyte did on his boat. Maybe I will just copy him.* BTW, going into the 50's this weekend.* I hope to finish everything this weekend and stay on schedule for a drop next week.
After waxing by hand for 2 years I went to Sears and bought a 6" orbital buffer for wax application and a 10" buffer for removal. I apply and a friend removes. We do a thorough job in a fraction of the time of hand waxing. Just get a few terry cloth covers. The cleaner they are the better they remove the wax. BTW Proline2, I'm Proline on noreast and have the same boat as you.
What's the story on those cordless rechargeable 6" or 7" buffers?
I have no access to AC outlets where my boat is and i kinda wanted to make it nice and shiny for the season.
Are they worth it? Saw quite a few on eBay.
Sal.
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1999 Phoenix 27 Tournament
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If you run - you'll only die tired.
Sorry I didn't reply until now, but the single-speed 2400 rpm Craftsman has served me well. Get plenty of the disposable blue applicator bonnets and a supply of the terrycloth covers and you'll be set. The terrycloth covers are washable and reusable. Change bonnets often while you work. That is a key element to getting a good finish.
If your finish isn't heavilly chalked, the orbital will be fine for what you want to do. Use 3M Finesse-It, Collinite 920 fiberglass cleaner, or Woody Wax fiberglass finish restorer, but use them sparingly. A little on an orbital goes a long way. It also depends on the condition of your fiberglass. There are a number of all-in-one products if your boat is in good shape and just needs a mild polish-and-wax. You'll have to decide on the condition of your finish and how you'll proceed...
You can get some great boat care advice and products from Best Boat Care (a THT supporter) at: http://www.bestboatcare.com/
In my case, the boat I bought had a lot of chalk due to a lack of maintenance, so the effort required to get where I wanted to be was greater. I ended up using the Makita pro-buffer and Woodys fiberglass restorer to get the finish clean and smooth. After that, I switched to the Craftsman orbital for the finesse and wax coats.
Two tips...
1. Don't be in a hurry. Perfection takes time.
2. Let the power tool(s) and the compound materials do the work.
Once you get the finish the way you want it, occasional cleaning and waxing with your orbital should be a snap.
Good luck!
__________________ .
Capt. Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~><((((*>
When it comes to power tools there is no substitute for quality. Sure you can go out & buy
something at less than half the price of the Makita or similar but sooner rather than later
you will be replacing it. Been there. Learned that. Current weapon of choice for weathered
boats is the variable speed Makita. It is only 3 years old & does a combined length of 85'
worth of boats each year. The Black & Decker was only good for 2 years.
Hands down the best orbital out there is the Porter cable in my opinion. Very well built machine. Yes you will pay near 100 but it is heavy duty, small enought to get in tight spaces but not too small, variable speed. I have used a few and this one is the best yet.
the porter cable is great and the only thing i will use on my car, but it is too small for a large boat and besides you dont need to be nearly as careful on fiberglass with the speed settings. i recomend a cheap 9-10" variable speed buffer - i am on my 2d one from west (waxmaster) - i got 3 yrs out of the 1st one.
a) I don't like combination "cleaner/restorer/wax". They don't do any of it well.
b) I get much better results with a Makita polisher for the compounding and polishig ONLY.
c) I wax on and off by hand. Don't tell me you can't do it...I used to do a 32' flybridge by myself.
Orbital Buffer 
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