How I use Leverage Polish & Oxidation Remover

Jan 4, 2009
63
Lake Ouachita, AR.
Boat Info
Canoe
Engines
Self-Propelled
How I use Leverage Polish & Oxidation Remover
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffing 101

How I use Leverage;

If the boat already has a shine with No oxidation or staining then you need the Polish only. I apply the polish by hand with 2 terry cloth towels. I spray 1 towel 5-6 times and wipe on(no hard scrubbing needed). I wipe down the entire boat with a light coat then I come back and wipe the light residue off with the 2 dry towel(polish entire boat then wipe off). I also polish all of the interior fiberglass, dash, metal and gauges as well. The boat dosen't have to be spotless before you apply the polish, but it needs to be dry. The polish has a very mild cleaning agent that will remove things like spider crap, dust and pollen.

If Oxidation, Fading or Staining is present then you need to start with the (OR)Oxidation Remover. I use the OR with a rotary buffer and a wool pad unless I'm removing small black streaks or cleaning the transom then I work by hand. I've used the Harbor Freight buffers for years and they are great especially for the money! All of my employees use this buffer and I've never had any breakdowns or damage. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820

Before I buff I always wash the boat down then towel dry or wipe it down with a damp towel if it's not to dirty. I apply small, thin lines of the OR to the surface(not directly to the pad)and start the buffer at 1200-1400 if the oxidation is bad then hit it a second time at about 2400 to remove any excess residue. I've found it best to use seperate wool pads for each color especially if the oxidation is bad. Most colors will tend to bleed as you are removing the oxidation/fading.

If the fiberglass has very mild fading/oxidation then you should be able to run the buffer at 2400-2600 and be done. After I'm finished then I rinse the boat down with fresh water and towel dry or use a damp towel to wipe it down then allow to dry. I usually like to come back the next day and apply my Leverage Polish after everything is dry. You can apply My Polish the same day as buffing, but be sure the surface is completely dry first. Then apply the polish according to the directions above.
If the OR is not removing all of the imperfections then wetsanding might be needed for a flawless finish.

All of the Directions are on the bottles, but I like to post up in case anyone has any questions.

I only use Terry Cloth towels. I've found they can be used for many years to come and will not cause swirling like some microfiber towels.

I can do a 36' Boat twice with 1 bottle of Leverage Polish. I can buff an entire 36' Boat with 1 bottle of Oxidation Remover unless it's extremely chalky.

Please let me know if I missed anything or if anyone has a question.

Leverage Products are available at BOE Marine

Donnie
 
I also do Wetsanding articles when needed, but I like to deal with each customer personally because every boat is different.

Leverage Products;

Polish
Oxidation Remover
Vinyl/Leather Cleaner
Vinyl/Leather Conditioner
Fiberglass Soap/Salt Deposit Remover
Fiberglass Stain Remover/Hull Cleaner
Metal Serum

All of my products are Eco Friendly and none of them contain harsh additives like Acid, Petroleum Distillates, Silicone, Kerosine, Low Grade Carnauba or Turpentine.
 
FYI Everybody, Leverage is a cleaning system we carry, I was talking to the owner of the company and he said he had some helpful tutorials so I told him to post them up. Hopefully you'll find them helpful.
 
I can confirm the ease of use of the polish. I just followed the directions on the bottle and went to work. I have a 240 DA and it took me 3 hrs to do the boat whole boat including inside surfaces. I used approximately 2/3 of a bottle. I did this at season end so I cannot comment on the durability of the shine and protection. The shine was impressive but I felt the product did not act as a cleaner or remover of deep marks or scuffs as a cleaner wax will. It did however remove goo and grime easily. I plan on doing it again the day I get the boat out of storage as I only did one coat before putting the boat away. My go-fast buddies swear by it. I would like to try the Starbrite with PTE if the shine of leverage does not last but it seems like old fashion polish which Leverage definitely is not.
 
Couple of Buffing Pics and a few reflection shots....
 

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How large of an area do you focus on when removing oxidation/staining? 2'x2'? Sorry, trying to figure this out... I was using a sears orbital and just switched to the harbor freight unit and have not used it yet.
 
Last edited:
Helpful for sure. Does the polisher you mention use a string tie to fasten the pads to the buffer or velcro ?
 
How large of an area do you focus on when removing oxidation/staining? 2'x2'? Sorry, trying to figure this out... I was using a sears orbital and just switched to the harbor freight unit and have not used it yet.

I'm on the way out the door to do a 420 as we speak.

I usually work a 4X4 section at the least when I'm working on the hull. Start with a 2X2 until you get used to what you're doing. A little bit of my OR goes a long way, so be sure to buff until it's dry or you can't see the OR anymore. Shake well then turn the bottle upside down and apply small, thin lines directly to the surface. If it's heavily oxidiized then you will use a bit more because the fiberglass will tend to soak up anything you put on the surface. Using the buffer I recommend with the wool pad is the best way I've found to get the job done. Also, don't worry about burning anything under 2800rpm. The gelcoat is thick enough and the wool pad won't cause any damage. Let me know if this covers everything for you.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the info. You are right, the price is very good. I was planning on getting a Makita, but the cost for as much as I use it is a bit much. The Makita uses velcro attachment and it is easier to change pads, so it's good to know the HF rotary uses the same attachement method.
 
My little ray is white and what method w/ the buffer do you recommend for around recessed contours and rub rails? Mine is also very caulky just where the surface is exposed to the sun outside the mouring covers (open bow 175 five series) I also have small areas @ the bottom of the hull that I scuffed w/scotchbrite to get stains off from the lake that @the time had high iron content
 
I have no problems buffing around the rubrail with my flexible backing plate. It's centered in the pad and allows you to bend the pad as you're buffing, so it contours to the hull. Sometimes I do have to hold the buffer at odd angles, but it gets the job done.

If you can't fit the Wool Pad on the buffer in those areas then try the smaller 4" pads on a backing plate similar to mine or a Mother's Powerball on your drill for the tight nooks.

I recommend following the same buffing procedures that I posted, for removing the Oxidation and scuffs on your hull. Use the buffer link in that post if you don't have one already. I just purchased two more last week for the new guys I'm training. I'm very happy with the HF Buffers.:thumbsup:

My little ray is white and what method w/ the buffer do you recommend for around recessed contours and rub rails? Mine is also very caulky just where the surface is exposed to the sun outside the mouring covers (open bow 175 five series) I also have small areas @ the bottom of the hull that I scuffed w/scotchbrite to get stains off from the lake that @the time had high iron content
 
I also have a white bow rider will this help with the areas that are starting to turn a yellowish color? Will it bring the white back or is it too late? Thanks
 
I also have a white bow rider will this help with the areas that are starting to turn a yellowish color? Will it bring the white back or is it too late? Thanks

Yellowing is a whole other issue. It's usually caused by the products used on your boat. It can be the wax, compound or even soap.

It's hard to say what the results are going to be with just buffing. I've brought some back and others have been nightmares. I always try buffing first then it's to wetsanding as the only other alternative. Let me know what you decide and if you need any help.
 
Yellowing is a whole other issue. It's usually caused by the products used on your boat. It can be the wax, compound or even soap.

It's hard to say what the results are going to be with just buffing. I've brought some back and others have been nightmares. I always try buffing first then it's to wetsanding as the only other alternative. Let me know what you decide and if you need any help.



I just purchased the boat 2 months ago so I have no idea what the previous owner used on it due to it being a bank repo. The areas are fairly small and not to bad so maybe it will not require major work. Thanks for the info
 
How I use Leverage Polish & Oxidation Remover
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffing 101

How I use Leverage;

If the boat already has a shine with No oxidation or staining then you need the Polish only. I apply the polish by hand with 2 terry cloth towels. I spray 1 towel 5-6 times and wipe on(no hard scrubbing needed). I wipe down the entire boat with a light coat then I come back and wipe the light residue off with the 2 dry towel(polish entire boat then wipe off). I also polish all of the interior fiberglass, dash, metal and gauges as well. The boat dosen't have to be spotless before you apply the polish, but it needs to be dry. The polish has a very mild cleaning agent that will remove things like spider crap, dust and pollen.

If Oxidation, Fading or Staining is present then you need to start with the (OR)Oxidation Remover. I use the OR with a rotary buffer and a wool pad unless I'm removing small black streaks or cleaning the transom then I work by hand. I've used the Harbor Freight buffers for years and they are great especially for the money! All of my employees use this buffer and I've never had any breakdowns or damage. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820

Before I buff I always wash the boat down then towel dry or wipe it down with a damp towel if it's not to dirty. I apply small, thin lines of the OR to the surface(not directly to the pad)and start the buffer at 1200-1400 if the oxidation is bad then hit it a second time at about 2400 to remove any excess residue. I've found it best to use seperate wool pads for each color especially if the oxidation is bad. Most colors will tend to bleed as you are removing the oxidation/fading.

If the fiberglass has very mild fading/oxidation then you should be able to run the buffer at 2400-2600 and be done. After I'm finished then I rinse the boat down with fresh water and towel dry or use a damp towel to wipe it down then allow to dry. I usually like to come back the next day and apply my Leverage Polish after everything is dry. You can apply My Polish the same day as buffing, but be sure the surface is completely dry first. Then apply the polish according to the directions above.
If the OR is not removing all of the imperfections then wetsanding might be needed for a flawless finish.

All of the Directions are on the bottles, but I like to post up in case anyone has any questions.

I only use Terry Cloth towels. I've found they can be used for many years to come and will not cause swirling like some microfiber towels.

I can do a 36' Boat twice with 1 bottle of Leverage Polish. I can buff an entire 36' Boat with 1 bottle of Oxidation Remover unless it's extremely chalky.

Please let me know if I missed anything or if anyone has a question.

Leverage Products are available at BOE Marine

Donnie

Donnie - any experience with this one?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92623

It's only $34.00 - same 9.8 amps...
 

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