Old Boat, New Makita, No Experience

S

Smeege

New member
Hey Guys,



Im hoping you might be able to help...Im trying to piece together the info I need but am having difficulty with just some little things I am looking to know.



Ive purchased a boat with med oxidization. From Advice of one of my supplier (Im a buyer) he has sold me Meguiars 1 step compound for cutting and polishing, as well as Meguiars glagship premium wax. I also puchased the Makita 9227C polisher and it came with 1 wool bonnet.



Now, I got the supplies. I think? I must need more pads?? What type?? Foam for applying, and use the wool for removing?



My basic knowledge of waxing is to put a light haze on, let it dry, and polish off.



With this new tool, what bonnet do I use for the cuttign compund? Do I just keep applying it until the solution is clear from the fibreglass....or so I put that light haze on, and come back with a different bonnet to remove it?



Once that is done...the wax....what bonnets do I use for the wax? I woudl assuem I need to buy seperate ones. If so, which? DO I apply a light haze, let it lightly dry, then remove with a seperate bonnet?



I sure woudl appreciate some help with this...Im feeling overwhelmed and just want to get started! Thank You so much!
 
I have only done 3 boats (all in the last few weeks) and am by no means an expert, but here is what I have found works for me...



For boats with oxidation I go straight for the Makita with a wool pad or a yellow or orange foam cutting pad. You are going to need lots of pads unless you want to clean the pad every few minutes...I usually go through 6 pads for the compounding stage on a 18ish foot boat. For the last boat I bought some 3" foam pads for getting into the hard to reach areas or working around things...I find it gives you much more control. So far I have only ever used some cheap AutoMagic polish that seems to do the trick, although I will be getting some Megs Marine line compound/polish soon. I usually set the speed to about 3 or 3.5 for compounding, but keep the pad moving fairly quickly. Work in sections and remove the excess compound with a microfiber cloth after working a section.



After compounding you may want to use a different pad/polish combo to reduce the swirls/holograms/marring created during step one. Maybe a white pad with a less aggressive polish.



I have always used the Megs Flagship marine for my final step. Sometimes I apply it by hand, other times I use my PC with a black LC finishing pad. I start at one corner and work my way around the boat and usually by then it is ok to wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.



Again, I am absolute NOT an expert with boats, but I do have a bit of experience. I'm sure if you search the forum you will find other recommended procedures/products that work.



Good luck.
 
Thanks Very much for your feedback, taking the time to help me out!



C couple of questiosn on what you have written...

SO I get the foam pads for applying the cutting compound. I assume that I go over this, leaving the light haze? Then, do I change the pad on my makita to the wool bonet to take the haze off??? Or do i keep on the boat with the polisher until I cant see any compound left? You mention a microfiber cloth to remove? Does this mean I remove by hand and not with my Makita?



FOr the middle step, a lighter polish, Im assuming the white pad is less aggressive...DO I also remove the polish with a micrifiber cloth by hand?



In you last step, you mention sometimes you apply by hand, sometimes with a PC (what is this) and sometimes with a black LC finishing pad (What is this)?



Do I ever use the wool bonnet that came with the polisher?

Thanks again so much?
 
It sounds like you have an idea of the tools you might need, but no idea on how to use them. My recommendation would be to first do a bit of searching on this forum (under the boats and planes section) and maybe try find a few youtube videos so you understand the basics before you attack your boat with a rotary polisher and a wool pad...you could do more damage than you may think if you don't understand the principles of what you are trying to do.



To answer your questions...

You can use either a wool pad or a foam pad for compounding, but there are many different pads...each with its own purpose. Some have more cut to them while others are meant for final finishing (and others for every step in between). The wool pad that came with your Makita is ok to use but it is a very aggressive step to take for your first time on the machine...you can quickly burn through the gel coat if you are not careful. PLEASE read, read, read before getting on the boat.



After you work a small section...say 2'x2' stop compounding and use your microfiber cloth to remove the left over polish residue by hand...I always remove residue by hand.



The second step, if you want to do it, should be done with a less aggressive pad/product combo. A wool pad is VERY aggressive whereas a white foam pad is for light duty polishing. You can also switch from an aggressive compound to more of a polish of some sort...maybe Megs high gloss polish (#45 for boats and RV's I think)



If you don't own a PC (Porter Cable) dual action polisher go ahead and apply the Flagship by had or on a finishing pad with your Makita. Let it haze over then wipe it off with a Microfiber towel by hand.



If you have a picture of the boat to post here I'm sure you will get some feedback on the best pad/product combo to use. You may be able to use a less aggressive approach depending on the current condition of the boat.
 
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