Waxing - Should I use an Rndm Orbit polisher?

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Author Topic:   Waxing - Should I use an Rndm Orbit polisher?

BillD posted 05-08-2003 12:14 PM ET (US)
I will be waxing my boat for the fist time this weekend.
My question is this, should I use a random orbital polisher / buffer or just do it by hand?
From other posts it seams like most people use some sort of polisher because it speeds things up. Will it take forever by hand?
I would need to buy one (Walmart has an inexpesive - 19.99 - 10" one designed for cars). Will this work well?
The boat is an 18' Outrage. I will be using 3M liquid Wax / cleaner. (we could debate wax selection forever but since the boat is only 3 years old this should work fine)
I trust the opinions of the folks on this forum so, should I buy a new tool or tough it out by hand?
Being a 2000 it is in pretty good shape.
Barry posted 05-08-2003 12:53 PM ET (US)
I've got an inexpensive random orbital polisher/buffer. I find it works great when using products like Meguiar's Heavy Duty Oxidation Remove, Color Restorer, Boat/RV Polish or 3M's FinesseIt II. However, I've always applied and then wiped off wax by hand.
I know you didn't want to debate waxes, but while I like and have used 3M waxes, in my experience nothing outlasts Collinite's No. 885 Special Heavy Duty Fleetwax.
BillD posted 05-08-2003 01:25 PM ET (US)
Barry:
Based on the opinions I have seen here I will probably use Collinite in the future. But because the boat is in prety good shape I am going to give the 1 step proccess a try this year.
How long does it take to wax your boat by hand?
newt posted 05-08-2003 02:57 PM ET (US)
I find the buffers are great to spread the wax with. Gives you a nice even thin coat of wax. Like Barry, I also wipe and polish by hand. You can do the outside of the hull in about 30 minutes.
gnr posted 05-08-2003 03:35 PM ET (US)
Give some thought to a smaller buffer. I have found I like a smaller buffer that can easily be operated with one hand over a two handed model.
Makes it easier to reach down in there or up across there.
Also feels like I'm doing a better job by giving a smaller area more attention before moving on.
Still much faster and easier then by hand.
kingfish posted 05-08-2003 03:58 PM ET (US)
I have both a 10" and a 6" random orbital polisher/buffer, and like gnr, I find myself using the 6" more and more. About the only place you can really spread out with the 10" on my 22' is the exterior hull sides; it's either too heavy or too clunky almost everywhere else.
I buff with lambswool pads on the machines, then follow up with clean, soft terry cloth towels. I've been using Meguiar's products, and am very happy with them, but I'm going to give the Collinite stuff all my respected colleagues here keep talking about a try when my Meguiar's runs out.
lhg posted 05-08-2003 04:12 PM ET (US)
I strongly recommend against 1-step cleaner/wax products. They don't clean well, are too abrasive, and they don't wax well.
For a relatively new boat, assumingly not badly oxidized, if at all, I would use the 3M Finesse-it II that BW recommends, followed by the Collonite #925 Pure (Carnuba) Boat Wax. Both are fabulous products. The Finesse-it must be applied by orbital buffer and buffed dry for the high gloss finish. The wax application is simple and quick. Nothing holds up on a boat like Collonite's wax. Their FleetWax product is good, with long lasting results, but contains an abrasive cleaner. I don't recommend it unless you need a quick fix-up where oxidation or dulling is appearing.
Kingfish, stay with the Meguiars 44 for
oxidation removal purposes, especially on non-skid gunnel areas, but once you try Collonite's wax you will never use anything else (or I'll pay for your Collonite!).
acseatsri posted 05-08-2003 05:09 PM ET (US)
I have a waxing/polishing attachment for a 5" random orbit sander that works great, small enough to get most spots on the boat. Sears Hardware for about 10 bucks.
Barry posted 05-08-2003 05:10 PM ET (US)
The 870 liquid Fleetwax says it "cleans" so it may contain some abrasives. The 885 paste Fleetwax is non-abrasive. I've used both and the paste outlasts the liquid although that may be because it's easier to put it on thicker.
bkoelbel posted 05-09-2003 04:30 PM ET (US)
Just finished the first coat of TreWax Four Seasons with my 8" random orbital polisher from Porter Cable.
Had an old Turtle Wax 10" unit, it stunk.
Applied by hand, removed with the polisher, finished the 20' Outrage in under an hour with excellent results!
JOHN W MAYO posted 05-09-2003 06:30 PM ET (US)
Where do you purchase the Collonite #925 Pure (Carnuba) Boat Wax
I must have missed it where i have looked to purchase it.
OutrageMan posted 05-09-2003 08:04 PM ET (US)
Don't get me worng, I love the Colonite products - especially their metal wax. However, I have begun using a product called Race Glaze. I think that it is a great product, and I can honestly say that it is easier to put on and take off that Collonite, and it lasts nearly as long. Plus it is a couple of bucks cheaper. One of it's real assets is that is doesn't "bake on." If you miss a spot while buffing, it comes off just as easily a month later. Additionally should you have any fresh paint (a week old) it CAN be applied over it unlike most other products.
Brian
Barry posted 05-09-2003 09:12 PM ET (US)
You can get Collinite products here www.thebestwax.com/ .
Barry posted 05-09-2003 09:25 PM ET (US)
Some other products that sound interesting are those designed to reduce resistance and as a result increase speed and economy. The November 2002 issue of Boating contained an article on these. It stated that wax actually slows down your boat. Apparently while wax repels water it also holds air in the form of very tiny bubbles. These minute air bubbles cause friction. The article mentioned two products that are designed to hold water. They were QuickCraft Plus and HySpeedKote.
Dolphinite www.dolphinite.com sells the QuickCraft Plus as their Go Fast Speed Bottom Coat. 16oz for $25. Claims to increase speed 1-4 knots and maximize fuel efficiency up to 16%! Hyspeedkote www.hyspeedkote.com claims reduced fuel consumption, quicker acceleration, more comfortable ride (less pounding), and a quieter hull!
If I ever get the rest of the bottom paint removed I may give one a try.

triblet posted 05-09-2003 10:47 PM ET (US)
Wax on, right hand.
Wax off, left hand.
Breathe in through nose, out of mouth.
Don't forget to breathe, very important.
Pat Morita in The Karate Kid
Works for me, waxing the whaler and the' vette.
The truck don't need no steenking wax.
Chuck
Backlash posted 05-10-2003 08:29 AM ET (US)
Like many here, I use both a 10" and 6" random orbital polisher/buffer. Like John, I think the 6" is handier for the boat. My 6" is made by Turtle Wax and I recently saw them at Home Depot for $19.95.
Whalerdan posted 05-10-2003 11:13 AM ET (US)
I did the 3M three step process last spring on my Montauk with a 6" buffer. Took an entire week of all my spare time. It was tuff work but looked great. Probably try that stuff Collinite next time.

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Author	Topic: Waxing - Should I use an Rndm Orbit polisher?
BillD	posted 05-08-2003 12:14 PM ET (US) I will be waxing my boat for the fist time this weekend. My question is this, should I use a random orbital polisher / buffer or just do it by hand? From other posts it seams like most people use some sort of polisher because it speeds things up. Will it take forever by hand? I would need to buy one (Walmart has an inexpesive - 19.99 - 10" one designed for cars). Will this work well? The boat is an 18' Outrage. I will be using 3M liquid Wax / cleaner. (we could debate wax selection forever but since the boat is only 3 years old this should work fine) I trust the opinions of the folks on this forum so, should I buy a new tool or tough it out by hand? Being a 2000 it is in pretty good shape.
Barry	posted 05-08-2003 12:53 PM ET (US) I've got an inexpensive random orbital polisher/buffer. I find it works great when using products like Meguiar's Heavy Duty Oxidation Remove, Color Restorer, Boat/RV Polish or 3M's FinesseIt II. However, I've always applied and then wiped off wax by hand. I know you didn't want to debate waxes, but while I like and have used 3M waxes, in my experience nothing outlasts Collinite's No. 885 Special Heavy Duty Fleetwax.
BillD	posted 05-08-2003 01:25 PM ET (US) Barry: Based on the opinions I have seen here I will probably use Collinite in the future. But because the boat is in prety good shape I am going to give the 1 step proccess a try this year. How long does it take to wax your boat by hand?
newt	posted 05-08-2003 02:57 PM ET (US) I find the buffers are great to spread the wax with. Gives you a nice even thin coat of wax. Like Barry, I also wipe and polish by hand. You can do the outside of the hull in about 30 minutes.
gnr	posted 05-08-2003 03:35 PM ET (US) Give some thought to a smaller buffer. I have found I like a smaller buffer that can easily be operated with one hand over a two handed model. Makes it easier to reach down in there or up across there. Also feels like I'm doing a better job by giving a smaller area more attention before moving on. Still much faster and easier then by hand.
kingfish	posted 05-08-2003 03:58 PM ET (US) I have both a 10" and a 6" random orbital polisher/buffer, and like gnr, I find myself using the 6" more and more. About the only place you can really spread out with the 10" on my 22' is the exterior hull sides; it's either too heavy or too clunky almost everywhere else. I buff with lambswool pads on the machines, then follow up with clean, soft terry cloth towels. I've been using Meguiar's products, and am very happy with them, but I'm going to give the Collinite stuff all my respected colleagues here keep talking about a try when my Meguiar's runs out.
lhg	posted 05-08-2003 04:12 PM ET (US) I strongly recommend against 1-step cleaner/wax products. They don't clean well, are too abrasive, and they don't wax well. For a relatively new boat, assumingly not badly oxidized, if at all, I would use the 3M Finesse-it II that BW recommends, followed by the Collonite #925 Pure (Carnuba) Boat Wax. Both are fabulous products. The Finesse-it must be applied by orbital buffer and buffed dry for the high gloss finish. The wax application is simple and quick. Nothing holds up on a boat like Collonite's wax. Their FleetWax product is good, with long lasting results, but contains an abrasive cleaner. I don't recommend it unless you need a quick fix-up where oxidation or dulling is appearing. Kingfish, stay with the Meguiars 44 for oxidation removal purposes, especially on non-skid gunnel areas, but once you try Collonite's wax you will never use anything else (or I'll pay for your Collonite!).
acseatsri	posted 05-08-2003 05:09 PM ET (US) I have a waxing/polishing attachment for a 5" random orbit sander that works great, small enough to get most spots on the boat. Sears Hardware for about 10 bucks.
Barry	posted 05-08-2003 05:10 PM ET (US) The 870 liquid Fleetwax says it "cleans" so it may contain some abrasives. The 885 paste Fleetwax is non-abrasive. I've used both and the paste outlasts the liquid although that may be because it's easier to put it on thicker.
bkoelbel	posted 05-09-2003 04:30 PM ET (US) Just finished the first coat of TreWax Four Seasons with my 8" random orbital polisher from Porter Cable. Had an old Turtle Wax 10" unit, it stunk. Applied by hand, removed with the polisher, finished the 20' Outrage in under an hour with excellent results!
JOHN W MAYO	posted 05-09-2003 06:30 PM ET (US) Where do you purchase the Collonite #925 Pure (Carnuba) Boat Wax I must have missed it where i have looked to purchase it.
OutrageMan	posted 05-09-2003 08:04 PM ET (US) Don't get me worng, I love the Colonite products - especially their metal wax. However, I have begun using a product called Race Glaze. I think that it is a great product, and I can honestly say that it is easier to put on and take off that Collonite, and it lasts nearly as long. Plus it is a couple of bucks cheaper. One of it's real assets is that is doesn't "bake on." If you miss a spot while buffing, it comes off just as easily a month later. Additionally should you have any fresh paint (a week old) it CAN be applied over it unlike most other products. Brian
Barry	posted 05-09-2003 09:12 PM ET (US) You can get Collinite products here www.thebestwax.com/ .
Barry	posted 05-09-2003 09:25 PM ET (US) Some other products that sound interesting are those designed to reduce resistance and as a result increase speed and economy. The November 2002 issue of Boating contained an article on these. It stated that wax actually slows down your boat. Apparently while wax repels water it also holds air in the form of very tiny bubbles. These minute air bubbles cause friction. The article mentioned two products that are designed to hold water. They were QuickCraft Plus and HySpeedKote. Dolphinite www.dolphinite.com sells the QuickCraft Plus as their Go Fast Speed Bottom Coat. 16oz for $25. Claims to increase speed 1-4 knots and maximize fuel efficiency up to 16%! Hyspeedkote www.hyspeedkote.com claims reduced fuel consumption, quicker acceleration, more comfortable ride (less pounding), and a quieter hull! If I ever get the rest of the bottom paint removed I may give one a try.
triblet	posted 05-09-2003 10:47 PM ET (US) Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Breathe in through nose, out of mouth. Don't forget to breathe, very important. Pat Morita in The Karate Kid Works for me, waxing the whaler and the' vette. The truck don't need no steenking wax. Chuck
Backlash	posted 05-10-2003 08:29 AM ET (US) Like many here, I use both a 10" and 6" random orbital polisher/buffer. Like John, I think the 6" is handier for the boat. My 6" is made by Turtle Wax and I recently saw them at Home Depot for $19.95.
Whalerdan	posted 05-10-2003 11:13 AM ET (US) I did the 3M three step process last spring on my Montauk with a 6" buffer. Took an entire week of all my spare time. It was tuff work but looked great. Probably try that stuff Collinite next time.