hand or buffer to remove wax/compound

[mquiet]

Hi everyone,

I have read the long thread about compounding and waxing. I have a quick question. Everyone mentions using a wool bonnet for compound and a microfiber for wax/polish, but what do use to remove? Do you use another pad on the buffer or remove by hand? Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Skuza]

There are two types of buffers commonly referred to: An orbital and a rotary.
An orbital is practically non agressive and it would be hard to do any gelcoat damage. Its usually used to apply wax as it will "work" it in nicely. It will not remove chalk and scratches. Some people may disagree with that but ask a professional what he uses. Removal of wax is often done with a seperate towel of your liking. A microfiber bonnet is most common on these types of machines and I suppose you could use a separate bonnet to remove wax but a big towel would work better in my opinion.

A rotary buffer or polisher is used to apply compound. This machine is used to remove chalk and scratches. If not used properly it can damage things by "burning" and snagging things. This is due to it's high speed operation- 1,500-3,000rpm's. Cleanup of compound is usually minimal as a proper technique removes most of the compound and leaves the surface shiny. If there is any residue left it can be removed with again, a soft towel of your liking. A seperate pad for cleanup isn't necessary.

Dang I sound professional! :smt017:grin:

 

[earthmover17]

I personally use Microfiber towels to remove polish and wax. They are fairly inexpensive and can be reused ( wash em in the clothes washer ). Remember if you use a wool bonnet to polish keep the pad clean or you'll get swirls.

Jack

 

[Chris R]

I personally use Microfiber towels to remove polish and wax. They are fairly inexpensive and can be reused ( wash em in the clothes washer ). Remember if you use a wool bonnet to polish keep the pad clean or you'll get swirls.

Jack

+1. If you machine apply correctly there will be a light film left over. A micro-fiber is all you need at that point.

 

[Summerwind]

I personally use Microfiber towels to remove polish and wax. They are fairly inexpensive and can be reused ( wash em in the clothes washer ). Remember if you use a wool bonnet to polish keep the pad clean or you'll get swirls.

Jack

:thumbsup:

 

[sbw1]

I use a clean wool bonnet for polishing and a different clean one for waxing. As a previous poster noted, there is very little residue left on the hull with either step if you do it right. Whatever remains after waxing, I wipe off with a clean white towel

 

[mquiet]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have a 2000 Sundancer, so I am sure I will need to at least do a light compound. If I understand everyone, Makita buffer with wool bonnet, being careful not to burn and then wax. I have a PC for this application and I will use microfiber and remove any residue by hand.

Thanks so much, can not wait for this winter to end.

 

[avguy]

Tip: buff a small area in the shade then try to get that area in the sun & inspect your work from a couple of different angles. Any swirls that are still present will be much easier to see.

 

[Skuza]

+1 on keeping the wool bonnet clean while compounding. If you don't it loads up with gelcoat and compound causing swirls. A bucket of water works great for doing this. Pop the pad off and immerse it in the water and hand wash it and then ring it out slightly by hand. Mount it on the buffer and run it at a slow speed and AWAY from you and the boat to sling out the remaining water and dry it. Each time you do this it basically renews the pad. It may get old having to do it after each 2x2' area but its the only way to get a nice result and keep the pad cutting. When it loads up it basically just skips across the gelcoat and doesn't polish.