Need polishing 101 for buff magic and new buffer

B

BillWilliams

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Let me start by saying I have absolutely no experience using a polisher. I've only used an orbital buffer in the past. Now with that said, I received a Makita 7" electronic polisher for my birthday. I don't have any pads for it yet. What kind of pads do you good folks recommend I get to use with Buff Magic? What's the best way to apply the stuff (with the polisher or with a rag and then use the polisher on it)?

Thanks
 
Hi Bill, great birthday present. I use white wool pads with a velcro back. I apply the Buff magic by hand using a foam pad like you would any wax. I completely cover about a three foot section and then buff out at medium speed until the product is gone, then wipe clean with a terry cloth towel. I spurr the pad after every two or three areas that I buff. Paint stir sticks work great as a pad spur. When finished with the whole area to be buffed out, (entire hull, or flybridge etc), I apply Pro Polish by hand and remove by hand. This stuff is easy to use, very forgiving and it's difficult to burn the gel coat. just keep the buffer moving. I also remove all the snaps from the area to be buffed as it is hard on the pads when you hit the snaps and actually speeds the process up. I've used yellow foam pads in the past, but seem to get more swirl marks with the foam. Also, wipe the hull with acetone to remove any marks that didn't come out with washing before you apply the Buff Magic.
 
Greg,
You apply BM by hand with a foam pad, but later on you state "I've used yellow foam pads in the past but seem to get more swirl marks..." Can you clarify - I too am getting ready to undertake the BM/PP challenge.
Thanks,
AJ
 
I use those round "foam" pads with terry cloth covering that you get at the auto parts store for waxing, to apply the Buff Magic. The yellow foam pads I mentioned above are for the rotary buffer. I get swirl marks with those. Sorry for the confusion.
 
I use a yellow wool pad for the BM and a white wool pad to remove the pro polish. I apply the pro polish by hand, then go back and remove it with the white wool pad. I apply the BM just like Greg does, except I use a yellow wool pad.
 
What's the difference between a white and yellow wool pad other than the color or is that it?
 
Buy Schlegel No.1 Buff pads at NAPA stores, with velcro backing. I've used white ones on $3 mil. boats and they work fine.
Good advice in Greg's post. Maybe a 2 square foot area at first if you've never done it before. Hold buffer almost flat with about a 15 degree angle (should be in the makita instructiosn)
Buzz
 
In the 3m lineup of buffing pads, the yellow is for polishing and white is for compounding. Yellow is a different texture. It may not make much of a differnce on fiberglass. It does on a clear coat automobile finish.
 
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