Prep work for Buff Magic/ProPolish

P

pjshannon400

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
RO Number
24425
Messages
16
What needs to be done to the hull before using Buff Magic and ProPolish? I have a very light brown stain on the bottom side from the lake water. Should I use a hull cleaner first or just wash (and let BM/PP take care of the rest)?

It seems people typically use both of these products together. Would you ever just use one of them?

Does the use of ProPolish eliminate the need for any other type of traditional wax?

Thanks for your input.
 
I washed my boat with Dawn to get the wax off before using the Buff Magic, but that's not really necessary. Buff Magic is the "compound / cleaner". Pro Polish then seals the pores of the gelcoat (from what I understand). Believe it or not, my boat looked better with Pro Polish alone than it does with wax on top of it -- so I'd just clean the hull with Buff Magic, then seal it with the Pro Polish and call it a day...
 
Agreed ... wash, dry ... go over with Buff Magic (don't use too much), follow with Pro Polish and your done ... my 14 year old boat came out looking great.
 
I would do what ever you have to to remove the stain before using Buff Magic. Do not apply "wax" after the Pro Polish. A second coat of Pro Polish after about 24 hrs is a good thing to do.
 
Sno-bol toilet bowl cleaner does good on those stains. Just use it full strength, scrub it in and then wash it off.
 
I don't know guys. I became frustrated paying professionals big money and finding later they did damage with their rotary polishers, missed spots, etc. so I decided to try it myself.

My boat is only a couple of years old and I used Buff Magic and Pro Polish as described with a Flex buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html).

I took my time, first washing, then Buff Magic, then Pro Polish, but to be honest I was not that impressed. It looked good, but I was going for a restoration of the original 'new boat' finish. On some areas the finish was more 'satin' than 'high gloss'. I tried putting a few coats of Meguiars Flagship Wax on by hand but that didn't get me the effect I am looking for either.

What am I missing to get that new boat deep 'mirror' finish on all areas?

Vic
 
I'd say you were missing a rotary polisher. I read the link, I'll stick with my $49 Harbor Freight Rotary and wool pads.
 
I have a new boat shine on most (but not all) on a 1997. With the proper technique and not even too much work, I think he can make a 2007 shine like new. However, the orbital has to go.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rorschach

I don't know guys. I became frustrated paying professionals big money and finding later they did damage with their rotary polishers, missed spots, etc. so I decided to try it myself.

My boat is only a couple of years old and I used Buff Magic and Pro Polish as described with a Flex buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html).

I took my time, first washing, then Buff Magic, then Pro Polish, but to be honest I was not that impressed. It looked good, but I was going for a restoration of the original 'new boat' finish. On some areas the finish was more 'satin' than 'high gloss'. I tried putting a few coats of Meguiars Flagship Wax on by hand but that didn't get me the effect I am looking for either.

What am I missing to get that new boat deep 'mirror' finish on all areas?

Vic

Click to expand...


Sometimes it takes more than just using a light polish like Buff Magic. And some gelcoats just don't age well. So you may never get that deep "new boat" shine.
 
I have that orange one.
Its too heavy.
I find it hard to use.
I need a lighter one.
 
This boat's only 2 seasons old! Should be easy to get it like new.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory Saracco

This boat's only 2 seasons old! Should be easy to get it like new.

Click to expand...


I've seen some funky gelcoat even on fairly new boats that while you could get a good surface shine on them, you could not get a good deep shine. So in the right light as you looked into the gelcoat, it still looked dull and hazy.
 
My boat is 6 years old with little to know outside detailing from previous owners (heavy oxidation; no shine). Last year I paid a firm to compound and wax and in short, I believe I wasted my money (not sure what products they used). This spring, I hired a different firm and asked them to use Buff Magic and Pro Polish, and although it looked somewhat better, I was disapointed in the outcome. Since I the 2nd firm was not satisfied with the outcome either, I worked out a deal with them to re-do and try a different product that they originally suggested (AQUABuff 2000, I believe was the name). Checked the boat this weekend and the result is much much better, but still not where I would have liked to have been after so much aggrevation and cost. They still have to put a wax or polish on (not sure what they will be using but since they seemed to know what they were doing with the Aquabuff 2000, I will trust their judgement). I guess after 6 years of neglect, I may be at a point this is as good as it is going to get. The guy did recommend that next year, if I was to hire him again, he would try Aquabuff 1000, a more agressive compound that he did not want to go with that the first time since just because it is more agressive......
 
ok, I had assumed it was always possible, with the proper tools, product, skill, time, money, etc. to restore gel coat to factory finish. Some of you are suggesting this is not the case. I'm not sure if that is true in the case of my boat, but I can understand it being beyond the capabilities of a lay person with non-commercial grade products. Well, the cost of my experiment was less than the cost of one professional waxing and it is a good polisher. I'll keep at it, and if find a better detailing company I'll give them a try. At least I have a benchmark of what I can achieve on my own. If I have any luck I'll post my findings.

Vic
 
Rorschach and Bradt, you made me feel better about canceling my detail on my 1997 Carver Mariner. They wanted $1600 ! to detail only the hull and I reluctantly agreed but after speaking with the detailer I got second thoughts and canceled when I didn't get a warm and fuzzy. As much as I don't want to do it myself, sometimes that it the only way to get it done right.
 
What? Sorry - Get your hands dirty.

quote:
Originally posted by cjeccher

Rorschach and Bradt, you made me feel better about canceling my detail on my 1997 Carver Mariner. They wanted $1600 ! to detail only the hull and I reluctantly agreed but after speaking with the detailer I got second thoughts and canceled when I didn't get a warm and fuzzy. As much as I don't want to do it myself, sometimes that it the only way to get it done right.

Click to expand...
 
Don't know about you guys but, I've never been a fan of orbital buffers. I'm with Greg, the $49.00 Harbor Freight special, "man up", and get with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top