Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

Polishing Process Review


Recommended Posts

After reading multiple threads, this is what I've come up with.  However I was hoping to get feedback before I dive in.  Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

My initial goal is to remove lettering from the transom(which is black) on my 98 Sunsetter and get rid of the shadow.  However, I might end up doing the whole boat, which is predominantly white.  While I think I have the high level process correct, I'm unsure of a few details.  I'll try and bold those thing I'm unsure of and hopefully the TMC can point me in the right direct.

  1. Purchase rotary buffer - Rotary is going to do more work than the DA buffer. I've narrowed it down to the Dewalt DWP849X.  I have two links below as I really couldn't figure out the different between the two of these besides weight & price.  Am I missing something?  I have a family member that works at Grainger and can get for similar price to HomeDepot.  
  2. Pre Polish - Skip Wet Sanding for now.  I'm assuming I want to be aggressive here with both the polish and the pad.  Based on the multiple responses from @ibelonginprison I am planning on going with Menzerna. Found this chart for products.
    • menzerna-chart-16.jpg
    1. FG400 cut.  (if this doesn't work I realize I will need to wetsand).
      • Assuming I want to use a wool pad. Not sure what brand?
      • I want to get Foam pads for the future for when I don't want to be as aggressive.  Where can I get an assortment, or whats a good brand?  I understand that white/blue are light, yellow and orange are more rough and black is for application with no cut.
    2. Polish - MC2500
      • Switch to a Foam pad?  white/blue?
    3. Finish -  FF3000 if I feel like I haven't punished myself enough?  Once I get going on something like this I get really OCD.
      1. Switch to a Foam pad?  white/blue?
    4. Sealant - Jescar Power Lock Plus

Did I miss anything?

Link to comment

crap, I just realized I never responded to you. LOL
I started to then got sidetracked at work. haha, sorry man.

You're pretty spot on. Couple of comments... 

I wouldn't worry with foam pads unless you're getting out a haze / hologram on a dark color like dark blue or black. Gel takes something aggressive to see results, like wool pads. I use a purple hybrid wool pad mostly whenever I detail a boat. I use 400 for the initial cut, then 2500 to finish it off if I want a true mirror finish on a darker color. I use the wool pad almost exclusively, unless I'm 1. applying a sealant (or wax) and yes, the black foam pad is what you want to use. 2. getting out a hologram / haze like I mentioned above from using an aggressive polish/pad combo. Even then, mostly I can use a wool pad with 2500 and get it to a mirror shine. 

If you want some foam pads, Lake Country makes good ones. The Chemical Guys also have their own line, but I'm pretty sure it's just rebranded Lake Country but with a hex pattern. 

Make sure you have a lot of good microfiber towels. 
I like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1U5TWA/ 

The wool pad I use:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001328H40/ 

But if you have a nnnnnasty gel and need to cut the hell out of it, then I would use something like this:
https://www.detailedimage.com/Lake-Country-M7/Lambswool-Extra-Cut-Pad-P1620/65-S3/ 

Link to comment
3 hours ago, ibelonginprison said:

crap, I just realized I never responded to you. LOL
I started to then got sidetracked at work. haha, sorry man.

You're pretty spot on. Couple of comments... 

I wouldn't worry with foam pads unless you're getting out a haze / hologram on a dark color like dark blue or black. Gel takes something aggressive to see results, like wool pads. I use a purple hybrid wool pad mostly whenever I detail a boat. I use 400 for the initial cut, then 2500 to finish it off if I want a true mirror finish on a darker color. I use the wool pad almost exclusively, unless I'm 1. applying a sealant (or wax) and yes, the black foam pad is what you want to use. 2. getting out a hologram / haze like I mentioned above from using an aggressive polish/pad combo. Even then, mostly I can use a wool pad with 2500 and get it to a mirror shine. 

If you want some foam pads, Lake Country makes good ones. The Chemical Guys also have their own line, but I'm pretty sure it's just rebranded Lake Country but with a hex pattern. 

Make sure you have a lot of good microfiber towels. 
I like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1U5TWA/ 

The wool pad I use:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001328H40/ 

But if you have a nnnnnasty gel and need to cut the hell out of it, then I would use something like this:
https://www.detailedimage.com/Lake-Country-M7/Lambswool-Extra-Cut-Pad-P1620/65-S3/ 

No worries at all!  Thanks for the feedback!  I'll get to ordering here shortly.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...