Orbial Polisher

T

Tug

New member
Today i thought i would try to polish and shine the black trim on the side of my boat. I was a total failure. I used that 3M Restorer and wax product.First i applied some of the product to the 6 inch Orbital Polisher pad and gently spread it over the area.next i used another softer bonnet to do the polishing and shining, all that happened was streaking and the bonnet turned almost a black colour where as it was white before. No shine or nothing,its still dull with streaks in it. Tug
 
Tug,

The 3M restorer wax worked good for me on my green trim which was chalky white when I bought the boat. I found that I had to first clean the area really good with soap and water after I power washed it. I used a cheap boat cleaner/wax from Attwood first to cut thru some of the layers of chalk. After some time with the cleaner I had a pile of green rags. I cut round rags and lay them over the buffing pad, then toss them once they turn green. Eventually the green almost stopped coming off. Then I moved to the 3M restorer. I have better luck rubbing the restorer or cleaner on the boat with a soft sponge or polishing pad first then go right to it with the buffer. It took 2 passes with the restorer to get a good result. Do small areas at a time.

Good Luck,

Kevin
 
I tried the orbital as well and crappy results. This time I am going with Mother's Pure Carnuba wax on the bottom and top sides, by hand, in small sections.
 
BTDT. The orbital buffer was very unsatisfactory. For the colored trim, Cabernet in our case, a real buffer and two levels of rubbing compound finally did the job. Sold the Orbital on "2good2toss" $20. Followed up with 3M Polish/Wax then 3M Wax.
 
I had success with a Porter Cable random orbital and 3M color restorer then their lighter cleaner wax combo. But there were definitely whole areas and spot stains that I had to do by hand. My technique is now to start with light stuff, then in places where that didn't work, I go heavier by hand, then cover it all up with wax. I had green come off on the pads and rags even with the lightest abrasive. Kind of worrisome at first but then I realized the color goes all the way through.
 
I will give it another go today and try your suggestions. When i saw that black stuff coming off it had me worried also, thought it was black paint at first. Need to take a few pain pills for my back, that bottom painting is a killer.Want to stain the exterior bulkhead wall again today also.Tug
 
I used a variable speed power buffer and automotive polishing compound. looks good. stay away from the c-dory sticker tho as it will be destroyed. That part needs to be done by hand. My boat wasnt too bad when I got it.You will need to start with rubbing compound to get rid of chalk first. Its going to take some time but its worth it. Vern/C-Dog
 
I gave it another go at polishing the Black Trim on my boat.First i rubbed in by hand 3M Marine Rubbing Compound followed by hand buffing Collinites's No.925 Fiberglass Boat Wax. I ended up with a shine but the streaks can be still seen deep in the Gel-Coat. I guess its the best that can be done for the 1985 Gel-Coat. See pictures in album. Tug
 
Tug":3vh8q185 said:
I ended up with a shine but the streaks can be still seen deep in the Gel-Coat. I guess its the best that can be done for the 1985 Gel-Coat. See pictures in album. Tug
Click to expand...

Ha! That's not too different from the result I got on our 2006! The dark green was hard to get shiny for some reason. I kind of wish our boat had the light gray stripes!
 
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