Detailer question

[NY Weasel]

Noticed that a guy at my marina hired a well known detailing company to do his topsides and cockpit. Three guys came down and spent the morning washing and waxing his boat, they used the standard bucket of Garrys Satin cleaner/wax. I watched them for a while, and basically they wiped the wax on and took it off with cotton towels, no buffer in sight. Although I asked them for a business card, I was not blown away with the finished product, and this is an '06 boat.

Would you all feel that a hand wax job is acceptable, or would you prefer the stripping power of a buffer?

Also, I plan on doing my everything above the rub rail within the month, if I go with a product like Garry's, would I use a white or yellow wool pad to take it off? I associate white with compounding, and yellow for wax removal, but what about products that claim to do both?

 

[mannmade]

What condition was the boat in when they started? If there was no oxidation then they could do a good job without a machine. Unless the boat had a full cover though it probably had some oxidation which they wouldn't have removed by hand, just waxed over which would lead to a hazy finish at best. If they were applying it with a cotton towel I would be suspect of their training/skills. They should be using foam, cotton or microfiber applicators and then remove with cotton towels or microfiber cloths.

Not sure about your wool pads, manufacturers don't seem to have a standard color code anymore. All I can suggest is read the package or maybe Mike will check in on this one. Have you given any thought to foam pads?