Which buffing pads to use with polish/cleaner and which type pad for wax for wax.

R

Ray 40

New Member
May 11, 2009
105
La Conner, WA
Boat Info
1997 400 Sedan Bridge w/ lower helm
3116 Cats
Engines
3116 Cats.-
8 kw Westerbeke
I'm confused when to use foam and when to use cloth/wool pads when buffing/waxing my hull. My first process is a polish/cleaner by Prism. I then use a hard wax by Meguires.

I use a electric variable speed machine and tend to stay in the 1500 rpm range.

Any information/ tips would be appreciated.
 
I have a Makita side handle buffer and use their pads when applying the WestMarine cleaner/wax that I use. I apply it to the pad, swipe the pad over the gelcoat to spread the cleaner/wax around, then buff it in until it's a powdery white and dry. Doing that last part makes it real easy to wipe off the dried wax because it's very thin.

I change pads frequently when they start to get a build up of wax on the pad.
 
Read this thread. There is great information regarding pads, product and proper application to achieve the best results. There is a little debate regarding product, but all agree that keeping your pads clean and dedicated to each specific product is key.

My normal trifecta of product now is a wool pad (on a Makita 9227C) with 3M Super Duty (for oxidizes areas, something I don't have to worry about now). Remove with a Porter Cable 7424 with a microfiber terry over a pad (dedicated for this product and pad). I follow that by 3M Finesse It with a separate wool pad. Again, remove with a Porter Cable 7424 with a microfiber terry over a pad (dedicated for this product and pad). The I follow by Starbrite polish with Ptef and again, remove with a Porter Cable 7424 with a microfiber terry over a pad (dedicated for this product and pad).
 
Which buffing pads to use with polish/cleaner and which type pad for wax for ...

HUMPH said:
If you check out the Presta Products site, it shows what pad to use with the different products. The product you use is based on the condition of your gelcoat. Love this stuff!

http://www.prestaproducts.com/catalog.aspx
Click to expand...

+1 on the Presta stuff. Brought my boat back to life.
 
Re: Which buffing pads to use with polish/cleaner and which type pad for wax for ...

+2 on Presta

Anybody have long term experience with thier UV wax?
 
No but that's what I went with this year so We'll see.
 
HUMPH said:
No but that's what I went with this year so We'll see.
Click to expand...

ken,

Was the Presta UV wax easy to use?
I used Presta compound last fall and then 3M scotchguard wax. Would like to put a another coat of wax on in early spring. Debating 3M or Presta UV................thoughts.......
 
tcason said:
ken,

Was the Presta UV wax easy to use?
I used Presta compound last fall and then 3M scotchguard wax. Would like to put a another coat of wax on in early spring. Debating 3M or Presta UV................thoughts.......
Click to expand...

The Presta UV wax was super easy to apply. I did my application by hand since between the gel coat compound then polish (both applied by mechanical means) I saw no benefit other than ease of installation to not apply by hand. Simple to apply, simple to wipe off. Looks Fantastic right now!
 
A few weeks ago I started looking into how to get my shine back on the 30 year old hull. I used this

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

And this is after polishing but before wax.

5ECE48B7-1B4D-47FC-81EC-6D3D3684D4E8-6709-0000085860474D70.jpg


I will never use anything but Presta for my boat. I spent 7 hours on the port side from the rub rail down. I should have the rest of the boat done this weekend. That is the best thread I have found and even though I have read it 25 times it seems I can read it again and pick up something I missed. Tons of information there.

Good luck
 
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