Another Buffing/Polishing Tool ??

S

Sandy K.

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Mar 15, 2001
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3775
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I've decided that I want to try out the Buff Magic/Pro Polish combo this year. Boat is a 2003 white hull Egg Harbor. Gel coat is in decent shape, but I want it to sparkle.

I'm confused about the machine to use. Mike's sticky says not to use an orbital type buffing wheel. I own a Black & Decker machine that only runs at 3,000 rpms - not sure if it's orbital or not. Maybed someone here can describe the difference between "orbital" and "non-orbital???

I've seen suggestions for the Makita models 7227C ($200) or BO6040 ($285)or the Porter Cable 7424 ($140). Harbor Freight sells a Chicago model 92623-4VGA for only $35.

My guess is that I'll be using the machine for the Buff Magic and apply and remove the Pro Polish by hand - make sense??

I don't want to be cheap - but if it'll do the job, I'd rather get the $35 HF machine.

So, you folks want to educate me??

TIA,
 
Simple, a rotary buffer spins 360 degrees and most are variable speed. An orbital buffer moves in a random orbit only. Orbital buffers are of no use in working compounds like Buff magic or any oxidation remover. i have been using a $40 Harbor Freight machine for about 5 years. Get a 100% wool pad. I apply the buff magic by hand with a foam applicator as I would any wax. I then work it in with the buffer until most of the product is gone and then wipe off with a terry cloth towel by hand. I do 3 to 4 foot sections at a time. Don't let the Buff Magic dry before you buff it out. I apply Pro Polish by hand with a foam pad and let it dry COMPLETELY before I buff it off with a towel. I Typically apply Pro Polish to my entire hull before I start wiping it off. It needs to dry completely. Hope this works for you, it does for me. I spur the pad after each section to keep it clean.
 
Go for the Makita for using the Buff Magic. My 22 year old Makita finally gave up on Saturday. I has some teak cleaning acid leak in my dockbox last year and it did a job on the poor old Makita.

So I found a $75 buffer at Autozone so I could buff out on Sunday. The cheaper tool is no match for the Makita. It does the job but the Makita will last 20 years for sure, I doubt the Autozone tool will make it that long.

I used both foam and wool bonnets and I think it's a toss up on which is better for good condition gelcote. Both worked well, except the foam pad didn't need to be spurred all the time.

If you have heavy oxidation you need the wool pad, if the gel is in good shape I think the foam will work too.

I then hand applied Rejex, removed by hand. Awesome shine. Putting another coat of Rejex on before I splash.
 
Sandy,
I recently purchased the Harbor Freight model you're looking at. I was pretty impressed by the quality of it, particularly for only $30 ( I got it on sale for $29.00 about a month ago). I've bought a bunch of stuff from Harbor Freight, and while it's not high end quality, their stuff does the job for home mechanics and weekend warriors very well.
 
What speed setting should you run the Harbor Freight at? I think I read before RPM's should be at around 1700 when using Buff Magic.
 
Spur the pad= clean it. I use the edge of a wood paint stir stick and the buffer on high speed.
 
Thanks for all the advice/suggestions. I've placed an order for the Buff magic and Pro Polish from Boatfix. I see there's a Harbor Freight about 35 minutes from my home, so I'm hoping to get there over the next few days to pick up the Chicago polisher. I'm planning to get some extra pads to use - will most likely get foam as my hull is in fairly good shape.

Will let you all know how it works out - am planning to get the boat sometime next week.....

Thanks again.
 
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