# of Coats and RPM for Buff Magic

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danielcooper9

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I posted this on Margaritivlle's post but I think it is getting very long so here it is again. Can experienced user's of Buff Magic and Pro Polish tell me how many coats of Pro Polish that you use? What is the rpm that you run each buff magic and pro polish at? I have a Milwaukee polisher that has settings from 1 to 5 and an rpm range up to 2700.
 
I set my buffer between 3 and 4 for the Buff Magic. Applied and removed the Pro-polish by hand-1 coat did it for me.
 
I run my Makita on 1 when using the Buff Magic, I don't see a difference if I run it faster.

When using Pro Polish, I use a Porter Cable DA polisher with foam bonnet to apply the first cost then the final coat by hand.
 
Thanks Gregory and Robyn's Nest. To clarify, when you said you use a "buffer" for the buff magic, do you mean a random orbitol buffer? Is a "polisher" too aggresive for the buff magic step?
 
Not an orbital, you're wasting time and product. We're talking about variable speed roatary buffers.
 
Rotary buffer/polisher (I use Makita) for Buff Magic, with a wool pad.
 
Gregory,

I think we are talking the same thing using different words. My Milwaukee "polisher" is a 7" rotary (not orbital, just spins in a circle). Thanks for your help.
 
Thaat's it Daniel. Johnathan likes the wool pads, I like foam. Find what works best for you.
 
Greg,

You put the Buff on with a foam pad on a rotary buffer?

Never tried foam on a rotary with Buff yet.
 
yes, foam pad for the Buff Magic. By the way, my brother and all his boating buddies at his marina thank you too!
 
Don't thanks me, thank Yacht Brite, I'm just a messenger.

Gonna try the foam pad soon.
 
yeah well we wouldn't have found this stuff if you hadn't bought the company and told us about it!:) And my boat wouldn't look like it does today. When people ask me what year it is and I tell them it's a '94, their jaws drop!
 
Gregory,

One more question then I leave this alone and just try it, you apply buff magic with a foam pad. Can you elaborate a little more on that? Do you put the buff magic on the pad itself and then use the buffer to spread it around? How about taking it off the boat?
 
Daniel,

I buy a cheap 'chip' brush ($2 kind) that will just fit into the mouth of the can. Use the brush the apply the BM to the boat in a 3 x 3 square (approx). You should put some BM on the bonnet when you first start off.

If you buff it out good you will have very little left on the boat, almost nothing, and it comes off very easily with a terry or microfiber cloth.
 
I do it a bit differently but same end result. I use a foam wax applicator pad and apply the Buff Magic SPARINGLY to the entire section I am working on--say 3X3 feet. I apply it quickly with circular motion like I was Applying wax. I then work the buffer back and forth over that area until the vast majority of the Buff Magic is no longer seen. Then I buff it clean with a terry cloth towel. I do coat my pads with Buff Magic when I first start out for the day. I don't clean the pad at all while I'm working. Like Johnathan said, there is very little left on the gel coat after you use the buffer. When you're done for the day, store your pad in a plastic bag so it doesn't dry out and you can pick up the next day right where you left off. Also, make sure the surface is relatively clean before you start with the Buff Magic. I wipe all dust off the area right before I start.
 
I think I asked this question before but cannot remember seeing an answer posted: are you guys using pink or white Buff Magic? I am finding the pink to be more aggressive and works faster, the white being better on newer or better conditioned gel coat. Side note, I lent a guy a can of BM to do his radar arch, it seems to have trouble finding its way back home...guess he likes the results!
 
I use the standard pink that comes in the 22 oz. can.

George, do they sell the pink in larger sizes or just the white?
 
Jonathan, last year when I got the 10# pail the pink was on back order. It was such a big savings I did not want to wait. When I am ready to order I will plan ahead and get the pink next time, I will save the 22oz cans and fill them from the 10# pail.

I'm thinking about a new price structure for doing boats: charging by how many gallons I need to fill up rather than by the foot!
 
Okay, the verdict is in - at least for me. I now have experience with Buff Magic and Pro Polish. I still needed some ibuprofin after the glorious day long event, but still much less than years past.

I had always used 3M Finesset II, and Colonite Fleet wax, and absolutely thought this was the best way to go. The boat always looked great, and the shine lasted a full season.

Bottom-line using Buff and Pro, easier to work with, and the results are better.

First washed boat, let dry. Apply Buff as directed by hand 3x3 area -I used a foam applicator pad. Then buff out using a fresh wool pad, and a 7" variable speed rotary buffer. The lowest setting was used, about 1K rpm. This seemed easier to do as compared to Finesset II. The shine came right through, and the results did look different - seemed to be more "glassy" in appearance. We only needed to do this once, and the shine was spectacular. Oh yea, the white gel coat seemed to be "whiter" as well - again as compared to Finessett II.

Next the Pro Polish. It went on by hand with the foam applicator pad - a little work here. Needed to let it dry completely - about 1/2 hour in the sun. Once dry, it comes off very easily with a cloth boat towel, again much easier than with the Colonite. This one step saved us lots of time and effort. The shine is spectacular. People walked by and commented at how "wet" it looked. We put two coats of Pro Polish on, and will see how long that lasts over the season.

When I'm done, I throw the wool pads into the washing maching with lots of detergent. The pads come out like new. Took one 200 mg IBU --- years past at least 3 to start.

Cheers!
 
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