Right elbow hurts – rotary buffer

[Loneranger]

Hi John,

Thank you for your concern.

#2 & #3 and it was deep.

My elbow is in much less pain today even with using the tool far more.

I think the issue was due to me holding the tool above my head and letting the tool pull me around in different ways.

Today I learned to keep it lower, about eye level and to use the right side of the pad so some of the tools weight is gone via the pads rotation and the tool is not trying to walk or run to the right or left or down.

I did not find myself fighting the tool today. I also was at a lower RPM setting for much of the tim, about 1 to 2 only going to 3 at the end of each area as the stuff I had applied was getting dry.

With the orbital tool it just did not matter how I held the tool.

Again, thank you John.

Pain in those areas due to an overuse injury are caused by excessive flexion of the wrist (bending your wrist down in the direction of the palm). I suppose it takes more force to keep the new polisher under control than the orbital. It would make sense that it is less bothersome when not holding over your head. This is also called "golfer's elbow", where people will forcefully flex the wrist when driving golf balls.

Glad it is better.

John

 

[JVM225]

This is my first year using a rotary tool. In the past I used a random orbital.

I picked up this tool from Harbor Freight for $35 and a couple of wool bonnets, about $8 each.

It took a bit to get the Velcro backed bonnet properly centered on the tool but once that was done the tool is very smooth and only slightly heavier then the random orbital I have used in the past.

On the wool pad I’m using McGuire’s #49 oxidation remover

After washing the boat I went to work with the new rotary tool, wool bonnet and oxidation remover. Once I work the stuff in and its reasonably dry I wipe it off with a terry cloth towel.

I’m about ½ done and man does my right elbow hurt.

For sure it’s doing a better job than the random orbital I used in the past. I’m keeping the speed relatively slow, not past III on the dial.

If you use a similar setup, does your right elbow get so sore? I’m trying to figure out if I’m doing something wrong. Any tips?

My right wrist and shoulder are also sore but only mildly sore and about what I would expect. A couple of Motrin took care of that pain.

My plan is to follow this up with Flagship Premium Marine Wax using a foam backed pad with a microfiber applicator on the same tool or I may go back to the random orbital for the waxing.

I had considered going with the three step process, oxidation remover/polish/wax but I already have this Flagship Premium Marine Wax product and my right elbow will for sure not take a third pass on everything.

I'm a long time orbital user. I have a PC7424, and moved up to a Flew 3401 about a year or so ago.
They are good machines for the cars, but I find I need the power of the rotary on the boat. The hull is much more durable than the clear coat on the cars so I'm comfortable using a rotary on it.
It also gets a lot less attention because it is in the water all season, and can't really be detailed below the rub rails.
I too tried the Meguiar's three step process this year, and found it worked pretty well.
I used the rotary with the oxidation remover. I moved on to the polish, but the rotary crapped out shortly after I began. Not wanting to stop for the day, I finished the polish by hand. It came out really nice. I think it worked out because the oxidation remover had prepared the surface so well. I think it's also possible that Meguiar's designed the products to be used by hand.
I wound up not being too sorry about the rotary srapping out because it is a very old and heavy machine that belongs to a friend. I borrow it every spring to do my hull, and my arms and shoulders regret it more each year as I age. The all day process on the vertical surface, much of which is above my shoulders, can get tough.
Luckily, the machine just needed brushes. A routine maintenance item on this nearly 40 year old buffer.
I followed up with the wax that came with the kit. I don't usually like liquid wax, but it went on real well. It might just be habit, but I always prefer to put the last step product on by hand. It is a lot easier than doing it with a machine too.
I have a bottle of their Flagship Premium Marine Wax that I plan to use during the season above the rub rails now that the whole boat is done. Doing a complete polish and wax during the season is not really something I want to do, so a good all in one product for routine maintenance is good enough.
I thought about using it on the hull instead of the polish and pure wax that came in the kit, but decided against it.
The Flagship Premium Marine Wax looks to be more of a cleaner wax.
Cleaner wax, or all in one products, usually have solvents in them that perform the cleaner function. They do a really nice job, but polish is a different animal.
I really wanted to use the polish to bring the surface of my 23 year old hull to that next level before applying the protectant. The surface isn't in the best of shape, I don't think the previous owners were much in to detailing, so I try to get it the best I can.
If you like the job the inexpensive HF machine did for you, you might want to try moving up to a better machine.
I have an old B&D rotary that I've had for about 20 years. It works, but I don't use it because it doesn't do nearly as good a job as my friends machine.
I feel like if I'm getting to put that much time and effort in to something, I want the best possible outcome.
I think I might finally break down and get myself a new rotary soon. I'm considering the Makita, DeWalt, and possibly a Flex. I just need to find the proper balance between weight and power. I love the job my friend's machine does, but it is getting way too heavy.

 

[DaNinja]

Some good info here.
I polished up the little Ray last week using the Meguiar's Oxidation Remover and a cheap old random orbital. The Meguiar's worked great, but the buffer was way too hard on my damaged shoulders and upper back. I really need to pick up a good lightweight polisher that do more of the work for me.

I've heard a lot of good things about those Chicago polishers from folks that use them commercially. I guess that's been confirmed here.

 

[Presentation]

I took some photos of the boat with the phone built in camera. As soon as I can figure out how to get the photos off the phone I’ll post them.

....The Flagship Premium Marine Wax looks to be more of a cleaner wax.
Cleaner wax, or all in one products, usually have solvents in them that perform the cleaner function. They do a really nice job, but polish is a different animal.

JVM – thank you.

The meguiars flagship wax comes two ways. One is a cleaner wax and one is not. I used the one that is not.

Meguiar's Flagship Premium Cleaner/Wax
Item # M6132

Flagship Premium Marine Wax
Item # FLAG 32

PS: I have some more to do. I need to treat the canvas with 303 fabric guard, clean the windows and isinglass, treat the isinglass with Plexus and re-commission the fresh water system with bleach and vinegar.

The hull and all fiberglass are done and this is the shiniest my boat has ever shined.

 

[JVM225]

The Flagship Premium Marine Wax in the second picture is the one that I have. It contains solvents, or cleaners, but is a good all in one product to use during the season when breaking out a buffer and going over the three step process doesn't make sense.
The more I think about it, the more I'm convincing myself that I need to move up to a new quality lighter weight rotary of my own sooner than later. I have no reason to use it on the cars, because my Flex 3401 does all I need it to do with them, but a good rotary with a wool pad is the only way to go with a boat. Especially a hull that stays in the water all season and only gets a good detailing once a year in the spring.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Presentation, I toss the wool bonnet after I finish polishing. Its only $9 and find it does not last after a washing. I find them at the local ACE hardware. I understand the deburring and its the same way I do.

I too will use flagship since my 3M polish is about empty and I have a full qt of Flagship. Good stuff. I think a lot of good products are out there so I won't dis any I have not tried. If the stuff works for you, its all good!

After using Flagship I also use a spray on wet look that for the life of me I cannot recall the name. I carry the wet look with me for quick shine ups in rubbed out areas... wipe on, wipe off. Works best with a quality wax underneath it however...

Its great to see everyone is getting ready for the season. This board will be pretty quiet soon with the exception of weekend photos of trips, etc...

Let the good times roll!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Presentation]

Thank you Doug.

This board will be pretty quiet soon with the exception of weekend photos of trips, etc...

Let the good times roll!!! :thumbsup:

Yes, I agree. Lets go boating!!!