My first experience with "Smoove" and a Dewalt cordless rotary

I am pondering which product and what polisher to use on the 506 this year. I bought the boat a year ago this month and it had been recently polished. I was so busy with modification and repair projects this year that all I did was wash her down, dreading a complete cut, buff and seal regimen. I am thinking of ordering the smoove system but am looking into buying a lighter weight buffer. I have an ancient classic Makita variable speed corded unit that I have used for years. I am intrigued by the Dewalt cordless unit but I am having a hard time imagining buffing a fifty one foot aft cabin hard top with a 5 inch pad.
Carpe Diem
 
Carpediem44DB said:
I am pondering which product and what polisher to use on the 506 this year. I bought the boat a year ago this month and it had been recently polished. I was so busy with modification and repair projects this year that all I did was wash her down, dreading a complete cut, buff and seal regimen. I am thinking of ordering the smoove system but am looking into buying a lighter weight buffer. I have an ancient classic Makita variable speed corded unit that I have used for years. I am intrigued by the Dewalt cordless unit but I am having a hard time imagining buffing a fifty one foot aft cabin hard top with a 5 inch pad.
Carpe Diem
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I'm running 9" pads on the Dewalt 20V I showed in the picture in my first post here. Works like a dream.

For a beast of a boat like yours you'll probably need at least 3 batteries (5AH each). I'm not sure you'd be able to charge one quickly enough to run a full side with just two batteries...
 
I'm going to have Mirror Image do mine this spring. Then I'm going to get some quotes for ceramic this summer. My brother in law did his 48 Cruisers (dark blue hull) 2 years ago. It was still looking good last fall after 2 summers.
 
Stee6043 said:
I'm running 9" pads on the Dewalt 20V I showed in the picture in my first post here. Works like a dream.

For a beast of a boat like yours you'll probably need at least 3 batteries (5AH each). I'm not sure you'd be able to charge one quickly enough to run a full side with just two batteries...
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I will not be trying to do a complete side in one day anyway. I look at this boat and figure it will like doing five smaller boats.:eek:
 
Stee6043 said:
Is an orbital easier to use than a rotary? When I looked at the Dewalt cordless offering they look to be nearly the same size, if not the orbital might actually be a bit beefier?
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Personal preference i guess. I use a corded porter cable, its not heavy. I feel like i get swirlys when i use a rotary.
 
I finally purchased a Shurhold Dual Action machine at the end of last season. Man, what a difference from HF (heavy) long body rotary machine. After washing the season of lake off I ran down both side from the waterline to rub rail in less than 2 hours. I used their black pad with 3M 1 Step. Shurhold is easy to operate (even one handed) nice and lite. I always make one run over the hull with a 1 Step type product prior shrink wrapping for the season.

I'm game for trying some new products this spring before I too outsource this agonizing task to the pros.
 
I ordered a Dewalt 20V Da polisher but am wondering if I should have just ordered the rotary instead. I also ordered the 3M two sided wool pads and the perfect it quick change arbor. I was thinking I could use it on the DA but the DA came with a stick-it pad for 6 inch polishing heads. Should I keep it and order a polisher for cutting and just use the DA for application of the wax/sealant? I am wondering also how well using 8 or 9 inch wool pads will work on the smaller polishing head backer. We started the polish project this weekend and are trying different combinations to see what will work on the 21 year old gelcoat carver used.
 
Carpediem44DB said:
I ordered a Dewalt 20V Da polisher but am wondering if I should have just ordered the rotary instead. I also ordered the 3M two sided wool pads and the perfect it quick change arbor. I was thinking I could use it on the DA but the DA came with a stick-it pad for 6 inch polishing heads. Should I keep it and order a polisher for cutting and just use the DA for application of the wax/sealant? I am wondering also how well using 8 or 9 inch wool pads will work on the smaller polishing head backer. We started the polish project this weekend and are trying different combinations to see what will work on the 21 year old gelcoat carver used.
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I don't know anyone that uses wool on an orbital. Ya gotta know what your doin with a rotary. You can buy cutting foam pads that work well. Hop on Autogeek and you can find everything you want and need.
 
Carpediem44DB said:
I ordered a Dewalt 20V Da polisher but am wondering if I should have just ordered the rotary instead. I also ordered the 3M two sided wool pads and the perfect it quick change arbor. I was thinking I could use it on the DA but the DA came with a stick-it pad for 6 inch polishing heads. Should I keep it and order a polisher for cutting and just use the DA for application of the wax/sealant? I am wondering also how well using 8 or 9 inch wool pads will work on the smaller polishing head backer. We started the polish project this weekend and are trying different combinations to see what will work on the 21 year old gelcoat carver used.
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I've always applied wax by hand. Someone smarter than me once told me it's not worth using a power tool, wax doesn't need to be "worked in". It's just sitting there, on top :)

I've enjoyed the Dewalt rotary quite a bit. To me it feels infinitely easier to work with than the corded unit I also own. It may be confirmation bias but I'm pleased with the purchase...
 
Stee6043 said:
I've always applied wax by hand. Someone smarter than me once told me it's not worth using a power tool, wax doesn't need to be "worked in". It's just sitting there, on top :)...
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If it is just a wax, no cleaning ability, by hand is fine. I find it quicker to throw a 7” pad on my DA, put it on slow speed, and use it to spread the wax, but just a personal preference.
 
JayhawkCurtis said:
Pricey!
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But.... You get what you pay for.

You can stand on this thing and it will still do its thing. I have that porter cable too and just a hint too much pressure and it stops.
 
What product and machine are you guys using on your topside (bow and gunnel) non-slip surfaces? To remove oxidation, condition/ restore, and shine?
 
MoonRiver said:
What product and machine are you guys using on your topside (bow and gunnel) non-slip surfaces? To remove oxidation, condition/ restore, and shine?
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I followed this routine. Worked very well.

 
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