Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Decided to polish out my Talari. Poor thing has had years of neglect (not from me!) by sitting outside in the Texas sun before I bought her. This has turned out to be quite a job. Had to wet sand everything, then a lot of 2 stage compounding and a couple coats of wax. Spent all day yesterday sanding and just now got one side ready for wax. Any of you guys want to tackle this on your own boat, I'd recommend two 3M products. Super duty rubbing compound and Finesse-It machine polish. Trust me, your arms will feel like jello, but this stuff works great. The first pic shows progress, left side compounded ready for polish, right side is just sanded. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...03de2aa56f.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...9b11ddafb7.jpg



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Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Hey Tex, getting ready to take your advice. Just got done testing buff magic. High dollar stuff. Didn't really feel my oxidation was that bad but it does I guess. Can even get it to try to blend old graphic lines. Been on it an hour n resorted to MOC and beer. Going to make new post for easy searching. This stuff is WEAK. Maybe it's a talari thing.:head_on_wall:

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

I mentioned in your other post, it may take a few compound, then polish then wax ( i use a dewalt variable speed buffer with all 3m products) i got mine online, it takes time, lots of time, i've read that by hand, you cant get the wax up to the heat needed to bond properly and will not last as long. Not saying if someone did this it would be wrong, but if your going to invest the time, get rotary variable speed buffer. And the proper cutting pads, and polish pads. Watch a few video's and do your research then keep at it buddy once you got it down you'll be happy!!



1998 shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

I did use a variable speed buffing wheel with various pads on it. It worked and looks great, just lots and lots of work. There were a couple of six packs involved and an occasional four letter word, but the finished product turned out good!


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Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

These are the times im thankful mines only 18' haha!!!


1998 shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Hahaha hunter! Yea, that extra 6 feet on mine was a real pita


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Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

I've been doing mine for over a month !
Did the entire 30' by hand. Compound, Maquiers, than I carnuba waxed it. I was not happy with the results. The compound did get the oxidation but the waxing finish was not even. Spots were shinier than others.
So, I bought a cheap orbital and went at it again. Half way through on one side and I still wasn't happy.
Broke down and bought the variable speed 7" grinder/polisher and bought real wool pads. Also got the 3M products.
What a difference. I'm about 2/3 done of compounding again and when I can stand up again, I'll get the wax on. (don't say it Danielson!!)
One thing I've noticed about the 3M stuff. The places I've reworked that sit in water will clean up with just a water hose after a weekend.

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Ya brain your right, i believe 3m uses a mix of carnauba and silicone base, heard pros and cons of both, may be a bit of work and trial and error but once you get it its not that bad to maintain,
I honestly dont think i work nearly as hard for an hourly wage as i do maintaining the mariah! Lmao!
Ive acquired a lot of new tools though a long the way [emoji12]!



1998 shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Novice question. Do you want your polisher to be random orbit? Any thoughts on brands? I need to buy one, but there are 100's of different models on Amazon.

Firestone - 2000 Mariah Z202 5.7L MAG Alpha I Gen II

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Don't waste your money on an orbital. Get the variable speed polisher and go easy and go slow till you get a feel for it. The pure wool pad works best.

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Dewalt 7 to 9 variable speed is the one i have. Flex offeres a nice smaller one. Porter cable as well, the 7 to 9" is bigger, so its heaviar and when your buffing a boat, your fighting gravity the entire time! Lol i like the dewalt but may want to try the smaller flex version.


1998 shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

I respectfully disagree. A flex like this (https://www.amazon.com/Flex-XC3401VR...olisher+xc3401) will give you all the cutting power you could want with much less opportunity to do terrible things to your finish IMHO. Get the right pads and compounds.

I have a 7424xp, the flex linked above and a Makita 9237CX3. I wouldn't ever let someone new go to town with the Makita but I'd put the 7424 or flex in their hands and let them start learning on most any of my cars/trucks.

Re: Buff and polish.....ugh
 

Thats the exact one i was talking about, had id know this one existed when i got the dewalt variable speed, i would have got this one, especially with the mariah's body sculpts, a smaller variable speed rotary is the way to go! Dont get me wrong the dewalt is nice, but its 7 to 9" pads, good for " flat hull" boats.


1998 shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III