Beginner hull polishing setup

[Maxpri]

Personally I use the throw away foam pads. These pads wax amazingly. These stick on with Velcro backing to the orbital backing plate disk. Once I’ve done one side of the boat then I use the wool disk to do a final spin. I use 3M compound then 3M polish. A 2 step process. I do it every year. It gets easier each year.



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Sweet, I think that’s likely the route I’ll go.

 

[Maxpri]

Ah, I’m in Vic. I’m sure there’s someone who’d loan theirs own.

Shoot, thanks though for the offer man.

 

[Sandpiper]

I grabbed a cheapo King Canada Rotary polisher from KMS tools awhile back and its a bit heavier in weight but it has variable speed and did a nice job for a little under half the price of the Makita.

 

[Fishtank]

What do you guys do around the bottom paint? Mine like to smear black even when I'm just washing it

 

[Ringo]

What do you guys do around the bottom paint? Mine like to smear black even when I'm just washing it

Scotch painter's tape

 

[Rain City]

do you use Collinite 885 paste wax?

Dave, can you post that little polisher you have again?

 

[CBsqrd]

I followed this guide with good results: https://www.sailnet.com/threads/tips-for-compound-polish-wax.52772/

Used 3M Rubbing Compound for the first step followed by Presta Ultra Cutting Creme, then Chroma, and then finished with Collinite 885 Fleet Wax. Makita Rotary polisher and appropriate pads. Most years I just rewax or do a quick once over with the glazing compound (Chroma) if necessary.

You can get the Presta products at KMS tools.

 

[Sir Reel]

Dave, can you post that little polisher you have again?

If you have major chalking this won’t work as well as a larger rotary polisher. But once you have the shine this is a great tool. Not very heavy and easy to use. 25’ cord and GFCI plug too.

Dual Action Polisher - Shurhold Industries, Inc.

Polish & buff with ease using Shurhold's Dual Action Polisher! With adjustable speeds & ergonomic design, it's the perfect tool for boat & car detailing. Pair it with available accessories like pads & backing plates for optimal performance.

shurhold.com

 

[Capt_Ed]

Not that I want to but what would it cost to have someone that has a one man boat polishing business to say cut and polish this

 

[N2013]

Not that I want to but what would it cost to have someone that has a one man boat polishing business to say cut and polish this
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Id guess $2000. I went with a cheaper company. You get what you pay for.

 

[Onchy]

last year was my first crack at it, granted it only needed a mild polish.

went with the porter cable dual action for a couple reasons s
- for a beginner much less risk of damage from what I read. The rotary can burn the gel coat easy if you don’t know what you are doing. I didn’t have much to polish off but definitely would want a rotary for a true cut polish/compound. The dual action worked great for waxing and light polish.
- paired it with a chemical guys 5” backing plate and the black foam lake country polishing pads.
- used the 3M perfect-it polish/wax one step.

Worked good for me, going to the same in a few weeks here

 

[Sir Reel]

Not that I want to but what would it cost to have someone that has a one man boat polishing business to say cut and polish this
View attachment 91903

I had Rico and team over at Lions Gate Marina do mine this year. For hull cut polish + wax he charges $27/ft materials included.
He also did a full bottom scrap, epoxy coat, and new CSC bottom paint ( different quote)Wonderful guy to work with.
Above rub rail is $55 an hour.

They were working on this boat when I was there. I’m am sure it was a per hour rate. The other side was done already and looked like new.
You can see how the 3 fenders somewhat protected the hull from the sun.

 

[Explorer682]

Not that I want to but what would it cost to have someone that has a one man boat polishing business to say cut and polish this
View attachment 91903

I have a 26’ footer with a hardtop and it was pretty chalked up and way to much work for me , paid a pro to come to my place , took him 4 full 10 hr days and was all most $2k but well worth it for me.

 

[CiscoCat]

If you have major chalking this won’t work as well as a larger rotary polisher. But once you have the shine this is a great tool. Not very heavy and easy to use. 25’ cord and GFCI plug too.

Dual Action Polisher - Shurhold Industries, Inc.

Polish & buff with ease using Shurhold's Dual Action Polisher! With adjustable speeds & ergonomic design, it's the perfect tool for boat & car detailing. Pair it with available accessories like pads & backing plates for optimal performance.

shurhold.com

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That shurhold polisher works great. I got it with the brush attachment for doing non-skid, and that was a game changer. They have some really helpful how to videos. Highly recommend it.

 

[N2013]

I have a 26’ footer with a hardtop and it was pretty chalked up and way to much work for me , paid a pro to come to my place , took him 4 full 10 hr days and was all most $2k but well worth it for me.

Worth it. I paid some cheap company in Vic to do my boat. Dude spent half his time staring at his phone. Told them just to focus on the boat, I find him doing the trailer, meanwhile the inside needed work.

 

[Totally unexpected]

The topside on my boat is huge. I figured at least for the flat areas it could pound through them. I did just hire a 17 year old apprentice though, so that might help too.

You want a 17 year old near the gel coat on the Commander???,scary stuff

 

[Rain City]

Yeah, you're probably right. He's actually doing a great job on site so far though. Likely because he's a fisherman.

 

[Gong Show]

It really is a job for 17 year old arms and shoulders.

 

[Explorer682]

Worth it. I paid some cheap company in Vic to do my boat. Dude spent half his time staring at his phone. Told them just to focus on the boat, I find him doing the trailer, meanwhile the inside needed work.

Titan Auto Detailing , guys name is Wes. Arms the size of my legs which is what you want in this situation. He has a Facebook page with lots of boat before and after. I went with the ceramic coating and it’s really held up well

 

[Sttr]

50 bucks per hour?!? How do these guys survive?