Which pads to use in cleaning/waxing process.

[Ray 40]

I'm confused as to which pads to use on my Makita for removing oxidation/cleaning - and which type - foam or wool - to use with wax and finishing.

Thanks for your help

Bud

 

[Mike Blake]

I just got the shurhold buffer. It says wool for the oxidation and the foam for polishing. I am just about to try it.

 

[HIFI]

I would suggest for cutting and compound work to use wool pads as the foam cutting pads will cake up rather quick. A wool cutting pad is easy to clean (spur) throughout the long process of prepping glass for polish. Spur often. There are foam pads for cutting and foam pads for polishing. If you will be using the same machine to polish and depending on your experience I might recommend a waffle foam pad for polishing. Waffles allow some air under the pad that can keep the heat down.
I would also recommend you purchase two wool pads for cutting. Pads, like sand paper, get filled up and lose their cutting ability. Use the first pad, spur often, get to your half way point and change to new pad to finish last half. For polishing you will need multiple pads as well. The foam pads will cake up fast and heat will suspend the pad performance. The polishing work/effort that follows will depend a lot on your compound/cut work.

I assume you have never done this based on your question. Sorry if I am wrong. If you don’t mind advise I would suggest that you take your time and complete your compound/cutting work and stop. With your size boat your arms are going to thank you for resting. Come back in a few days or week to machine polish. I know, for me, my buffing performance decays as the day goes on.

At this point you are ready for a wax or synthetic polish. I recommend Zaino

 

[Nehalennia]

If you read this entire thread you can learn a TON of info. 280SeaRay chimes in and he is even more detailed than I am about creating a great shine, and I feel I'm very picky. It has great information and debate.
Polishing before and after

 

[wvsundancer]

If you plan on using Buff Magic ( and why would you not?) then you will need a crap load of wool pads. Plus a paint bruch to put it on with.

 

[douglee25]

I agree that you should get the wool pads.

You're going to need more than 2 though. I would suggest at least 4-6 pads. You'll probably need a pad per side of the boat at the minimum. Use a long screw driver to spur the pad as recommended above.

I find the wax goes on quicker by hand. You can probably wax your boat in about 1/5 of the time that it will take to compound it.

Doug

 

[Nehalennia]

I don't think you need that many pads if you clean and care for them properly. 2-3 Should be fine. Get some Microfiber bonnets for removal of material and buffing. I would get a 6 pack of those at least. The bonnets go over the foam pads that go on your random orbital.

http://properboatcare.com/

I use a wool pad on the Makita circular 9227C to apply a 3M super duty compound. I will remove with the Porter Cable 7424 random orbital foam pad with a bonnet on it. I then have another wool pad I will apply a Meguiar's #67 with again on the Makita. The #67 I have found to have a nice diminishing compound that yields great shine to begin the polishing step. I will use a new bonnet on the PC to remove, keeping all products on their own pad or bonnet. The reason is you want to make sure you're continuing towards a shine and protection rather than using the first step's pad or bonnet and dulling a finish you just achieved. I keep a third wool pad at the ready in case I want to buff with a clean pad.
After I'm done with the compounding I use a finishing foam pad to apply Starbrite polish with PTEF and again a new bonnet to remove. I have an assortment of different density foam pads in case I find trouble spots and need to use them for other products.

I clean all of my pads with Snappy clean and I can keep using the same 3 wool pads, and assortment of foam ones and bonnets (6).
http://www.premiumboatcare.com/snappytool.html

 

[douglee25]

I guess if you wash the bonnets as soon as you're done, you can reuse the next day.

I went through 3 pads in one 8 hour session on my 27' boat. One for the top side, and one for each side of the hull.

Doug

 

[Nehalennia]

I guess if you wash the bonnets as soon as you're done, you can reuse the next day.

I went through 3 pads in one 8 hour session on my 27' boat. One for the top side, and one for each side of the hull.

Doug

I have even washed a pad during the day. I stick a wool pad in the a bucket of Snappy clean, wash it thoroughly, rinse, squeeze the excess water then stick it on the circular and turn it on. It's like the spin cycle on steroids. it's nearly dry to the touch. I use a small wire brush to finish and fluff and it's ready to go again.

 

[douglee25]

Good idea. I will try that next time.

Doug