Buffer or no Buffer - The Hull Truth

kjw3250 · 03-27-2006, 11:28 AM

Hello to all looks like the weekend I will finale get to spend some TLC with my boat. Quick question though how many of you guys use a buffer when it comes to waxing or polishing. In the past I have been doing the job by hand but my time is limited this year. I am using the good old #920 and #885 though I have heard that you can only use a buffer with the 920 and use all of you time and effort to rub off the #885.
Also any other good products to use kinda looking for a little more shine.

Any comments

Elusive · 03-27-2006, 11:51 AM

strikerthree indicated he took the 885 off with a buffer, which is encouraging.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...osts=3#M964813

I agree the shine isn't great with the 885. I plan to follow up with 1 or 2 coats of Collinite 925 Fiberglass Boax Wax on top

captainjay · 03-27-2006, 04:15 PM

Wax on buff off. MY .02

HOTSPOT · 03-27-2006, 04:16 PM

I use the buffer to apply, then remove by hand.

200%Dave · 03-27-2006, 04:47 PM

Buff with a buffer, wax by hand.

WEAKFISH · 03-27-2006, 04:52 PM

We just detailed Fluke Hunter's boat yesterday. Included, some light compound, cleaner wax and liquid fleetwax. We used a buffer for everything (on and off) except for the tight spots. Used a wool bonnet for application and terry cloth for removal. Great results, his boat looks new.

Wait until he get's my bill!!!

tg · 03-27-2006, 10:04 PM

I wax by hand. Everything else is by buffer. Again....wax is not polish.

Elusive · 03-27-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

WEAKFISH - 3/27/2006 3:52 PM

We just detailed Fluke Hunter's boat yesterday. Included, some light compound, cleaner wax and liquid fleetwax.

For future reference, the 870 Liquid Fleetwax is a cleaner wax. The 885 paste Fleetwax is just wax. For liquid wax, go with the 925 Fiberglass Boat Wax.

WEAKFISH · 03-27-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Elusive - 3/27/2006 9:25 PM

Quote:

WEAKFISH - 3/27/2006 3:52 PM

We just detailed Fluke Hunter's boat yesterday. Included, some light compound, cleaner wax and liquid fleetwax.

For future reference, the 870 Liquid Fleetwax is a cleaner wax. The 885 paste Fleetwax is just wax. For liquid wax, go with the 925 Fiberglass Boat Wax.

That's what we used.

Parthery · 03-27-2006, 10:53 PM

I did the 920 and 870 treatments, both with a buffer.

The 920 was buffed off by hand, the 870 with the buffer. Boat looks great and saved a bunch of time and elbow grease.

gmulligan · 03-27-2006, 11:00 PM

How many bonnets do you go through with the process and are they reusable? How would you clean them. Would you use one bonnet for application (a thicker wool one) and one for the removal (terry cloth)? Pls let me know, as I am trying to figure it out before I try it next weekend to make sure I have adequate supplies of bonnets.

Parthery · 03-27-2006, 11:04 PM

I used a cloth for application and a terry for removal. I generally throw them out afterward as they are not expensive, but I know people who have laundered them and they seem to do fine.

morechaching · 03-28-2006, 01:21 AM

I wash my bonnets after use and dry them out on the clothes line.

captainjay · 03-28-2006, 07:41 AM

Put them in the washing machine then air dry.

Franco2boat · 03-28-2006, 09:28 AM

I think the question was "How many" ? The bonnet I use, which came with the buffer, seems to fill up with excess wax when removing and I usually have to resort to manual mode. Last season I just gave up using the buffer altogether. Maybe a six-pack of terry cloth buffer bonnets is the answer?

KKKKFL

mymojo · 03-28-2006, 09:58 AM

I used a 3M wool bonnet on my var speed buffer this past week when polishing and waxing the hull. WHen the wool gets caked up with dried wax I put it on low speed and placed a sttel wired brush against the bonnet - removed all the caked up wax andfluffed the wool back to new. So far am still on the original bonnet after doing the entire hull polish wax seal routine. Next up is the cabin and top sides.

WEAKFISH · 03-28-2006, 10:24 AM

The wool bonnets can be reused, but the terry cloth are good for one day. It was falling apart at the end of the day.

Fluke Hunter · 03-28-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

WEAKFISH - 3/28/2006 9:24 AM

The wool bonnets can be reused, but the terry cloth are good for one day. It was falling apart at the end of the day.

Depends on which terry bonnet you get. The ones I brought have been washed and reused multiple times and look fine. I got mine at a marine store, I guess they were better made, definitely thicker than yours Weakfish. Definitely wash and reuse if possible, why buy new each time if unnecessary?

BTW, Weak thks for the labor, will pay back in kind if you find a date

WEAKFISH · 03-28-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Fluke Hunter - 3/28/2006 9:40 AM

Quote:

WEAKFISH - 3/28/2006 9:24 AM

The wool bonnets can be reused, but the terry cloth are good for one day. It was falling apart at the end of the day.

Depends on which terry bonnet you get. The ones I brought have been washed and reused multiple times and look fine. I got mine at a marine store, I guess they were better made, definitely thicker than yours Weakfish. Definitely wash and reuse if possible, why buy new each time if unnecessary?

BTW, Weak thks for the labor, will pay back in kind if you find a date

Yo....the terry bonnets I'm talking about I bought at your marina on Sunday. Maybe my buffer was too much for them. But it was falling apart at the end of the day. No problem with the labor....in fact I had a good time doing it. Forearms hurt a little.