Tips on Buffing

How difficult is it to buff the shine back into a boat? I don't want to put swirl marks in it, but it has very minor discoloration. It's a white and black MB 190. Any tips, products to use, etc? Thanks guys

Start with the most basic color restoration products. I really like 3m Imperial rubbing compound and finishing product. Followed by gloss and wax.

If that imperial compound doesn't do what you're looking for, go with a heavy duty rubbing compound. And get a good buffer, and a wool buffer pad and that will help remove the oxidation.

its really not that hard let the buffer wheel do all the work. We are just going through this for the seadoo.

However compound will dull the black at first as it is pretty gritty....there are a variety out there it is easy to get one thats to strong. after you would polish or paint cleaner first and then polish.

If your disccoloration is minor start with a lighter wax first....maybe the polish will get rid of the oxidation. If not go to a paint cleaner(a little more abrasive)....it would probably do the job. If not then you go to the rubbing compound.

From what it sounds I would likely right now just try a paint cleaner.....like eric says 3m is good.

here is a good link I found, tells all about what to use first ...up to the last resort

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance-articles/19883-recovering-shine.html

I had real good results with Meguiar's #67 polish. Done by hand with not an incredible amount of effort. Burgandy boat.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+M6732

Frank

(Message edited by ftd on April 15, 2009)

Check out this thread, Zaino products look good, no personal experience though. Lots of info available on this site, search and you shall find.
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/393125.html

FLITZ!!

we used it on our old boat. works like a charm. use that, then wash it like you normally would.
then put turtle wax ICE on it. then take it off (obviously) and then use the green babes boat, i cant remember what its called. doing those will make your boat look great

If you're using a traditional buffer be careful of decals and upholstery and rubrail, you could potentially burn them.
I just did my boat with a porter cable dual action 7424 with a yellow buffing pad and a somewhat aggressive compound, PoorBoys 2.5. With the dual action I didn't have to worry about burning the upholstery in the areas where the upholstery butted up to the hull or rub rail. Probably could have gone a little more aggressive with the compound but the boat feels like butter.

Chris
www.wakejunky.com

if a good buffing compound doesnt work then i would go with a light sandpaper then after you sand it a little bit then buff it and then wax it.

I bought a fixer-uper a year or so ago.the back transom really faded.I went with wetsand 1000grit-3m compound w/buffer-3m finess-it 2 w/buffer-maguries premium boat wax by hand.came out GREAT and is holding up quite well.the wetsanding was the key i have compound and wax before and it faded right back in about a month month and a half.You can really feel the results of the wetsanding while you doing it.