What tool do you use to polish the hull ??

[Moody Blue]

This is something I want get done early this year. Fiberglass 16ft hull that had 20+ year old bottom paint that I stripped off

Boat had sat in a garage for 20+ years and is in need of a good cleaning, polishing and waxing.

Have been looking at different polishing machines. There are two types from what I've seen.

1) random orbital fixed speed in sizes from 6" to 10".
2) variable speed rotary type that looks like an angle grinder

Any recommendations ?

[TheWoodCrafter]

I pick #2. Buy a 7" model and several foam bonets.
Good ones can run almost $200.

[lowkee]

I second #2. I have both a cheapie and a pricey porter cable 7". I tend to use the cheapie for most everything for the simple reason it is lighter. Just holding your arms up for a long time gets tiring, just imagine a 7lb weight and your arms. The cheapie ones weigh ~3lbs and you won't feel guilty strapping dangerous objects to them at certain times

[jpmurphy]

Just finished sanding and polishing my 16' alum Gregor. One thing I found out about the polish/buffing bonnets; the bonnets with the string ties suck.
They come lose, slap you with the string and spin on the polisher head.

I found the bonnets that have elastic instead of the string. A little struggle to get them on and off, but they don't come lose and don't spin . Makes life a lot easier.

[5150abf]

Go to Napa and get a pad for a variable speed angle grinder, they have a velcro base and use the hair pad(wool) it is what we use in the body shop I work at, works great.

And get a good 3M buffing compound, I would use a finish compound being new to buffing, it takes a little longer but it is harder to burn through the gel coat too.

Watch edges and body lines, if you are going to burn through that is where it will happen.

[5150abf]

Hey jpmurphy, get a pic of that boat up when you are done, few things I like more than polished aluminum.

We have done a couple pontoon boats fro people, they are gorgeous, for a while anyhow

[cbavier]

#2 variable speed. 3M Gel Gloss Color/Restore. I can give you the numbers if you need them.

"Chuck's Fiberglass & Color Restore" GO SLOW and follow the instructions on the bottle

[boat1010]

I have a 24 ft Arriva and when I got it the hull was in very bad shape. No shine at all. I wet sanded it with 400 then 1000 then buffed it with a rubbing compound variable speed buffer, now I get complements where ever I go.

[Moody Blue]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like the angle polisher is the way to go. Came across a good sale (60% off) on the random orbital polishers but then saw the angled type.

Would rather spend the extra money and get the proper tool rather than save a few bucks and curse the thing everytime I use it.

Thanks again.

[cbavier]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like the angle polisher is the way to go. Came across a good sale (60% off) on the random orbital polishers but then saw the angled type.

Would rather spend the extra money and get the proper tool rather than save a few bucks and curse the thing everytime I use it.

Thanks again.

The random orbital polishers won't hold up besides they are too slow, not rpm's but to do the job. Start with the angle polisher on slow then increase your speed.