aqua buff

[mouse4x4]

how many have used this aqua buff if so how does it do seems to be priced pretty good. how much would it take to do a 28 ft boat top an sides, an also i have been looking at buffers any suggestions on one i dont want to spend a fortune on one but want decent quality be able to go start to finish with out burning it up half way through. thanks in advance

[at100plus]

Don't know about Aquabuff but I have a 7" Pittsburg wheel from Harbor Freight $40 that runs strong, I've used it for a few cars and boats.

[mouse4x4]

i was just looking at the mikita buffers might go ahead an get one of those they are not to bad around 200 bucks with some pads an a case

[doubleeagle]

Aqua Buff works great on gel coat cuts and cleans up great been using it for years Really brings faded Gel back to life. I use a Snapon varible speed buffer with a wool pad

[afr]

Aqua Buff works great on gel coat cuts and cleans up great been using it for years Really brings faded Gel back to life. I use a Snapon varible speed buffer with a wool pad
ditto

[at100plus]

Does it last? My deck is pretty bad, it kinda comes up when I hit it with a wheel and 3M marine compound but doesn't last long. I was going to get it painted, my painter suggested wet sand but can't do it till winter. Should I try Aquabuff first?

I need 7" velcro on buffing pads, can't seem to find them. Everywhere I look online it's always a kit that includes the wheel. I just want the pads.

[at100plus]

Also where do you buy? Is it Aqua-Buff 2000? I see that on Ebay for $18.99 / gallon. White bucket green letters.

[mouse4x4]

I also would like to know about 7 inch pads

[1fastg3]

Aqua-Buff 2000 Is gangster ,, We use the compand and the wax . Its the Best I have ever seen , used 3m before And its ok But Aqua-Buff I think is the best .. Lasting ? I really dont know I have a ****ty Paint job so I wax my boat 3 times a week

7inch wool Pad , Brush it on Buff off , ( will take work) And Brush the wax On and Flip you wool pad to a clean side and Buff off

[at100plus]

I tried wetsanding a section with 3m 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and soapy water. It is a lot of work but my gelcoat is thick and I think if I wetsanded the whole thing, compound with 3m heavy duty marine compound, glaze and wax it would be like new. I just spoke to a friend who does body work, he says to DA wetsand with 1000 then hand wetsand with 3000. I'm going to look into this more and try to find the time to actually do it.

[doubleeagle]

I would say your way over kill with 3000 Gel is pretty tough stuff I general use 800 on a palm da then 1000 by hand maybe 1200 if a dark color Buff her up glaze and wax your good to go Your buddys recomendment would be right for a base coat clear coat finish

[activator22]

Does it last? My deck is pretty bad, it kinda comes up when I hit it with a wheel and 3M marine compound but doesn't last long. I was going to get it painted, my painter suggested wet sand but can't do it till winter. Should I try Aquabuff first?

I need 7" velcro on buffing pads, can't seem to find them. Everywhere I look online it's always a kit that includes the wheel. I just want the pads.

I'm using the following 3M pads 05711 (compounding) and 05713 (polishing) A little pricey, but they seem to be lasting quite well. Think Mequires has a similar line.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-05711-Wool-Compounding-Pad/dp/B000KSTFHQ (Can usually find them at NAPA too)

Pad have the loop part of the velcro, work fine on my Northern Tools polisher.

[at100plus]

How do you clean them?

[at100plus]

Did you see the 1 review on that wool pad? It wasn't good, says it made swirls and wool started flying off. My body guy recommended a foam pad instead. I was thinking 3000 is a bit much too, he works with cars though so that's probably why. I can't seem to find an online supplier for 3m wet/dry 6" DA sander discs either.

[doubleeagle]

Been doing custom Paint and Gel for over 40 years on boats didnt see review just know what has worked for me I have tried foam pads did not cut gel like the wool pad. Control your buffer speed again gel is much harder than paint you really have to work it Clean the pad with a spur have used a tip on flat head screw driver many times since spurs seem to grow legs and walk off right in middle of job. I cut my own paper and apply with adhisve I will use 3 to 4 freash pads on a boat You can wash soap and water and reuse pads I have some that are 5 or so years old

[activator22]

I wouldn't use the compounding pad near any of my cars paint finish (nothing special about them), too aggressive IMHO. But as doubleeagle said, you do need something that cuts on gel.

I rinse and spin dry my pads, I don't give let the compound a chance to cake on the pad and dry - I may rinse 3 times if I'm compounding both sides and the deck

[at100plus]

I started working on mine. I worked a spot that came out awesome after sanding to clean gel then 3M compound, glaze, cleaner wax, and finish wax, it looks like new. But even 1000 on DA sander was not aggressive enough there is a great deal of oxidation and black spots in my red deck. I just ordered some 600.

[activator22]

Black spots sound like mildew/mold spores. I would be tempted to spray a small spot with 50/50 bleach/water or tilex and see if they remove themselves (might save a little sanding/gelcoat)

[at100plus]

Yes could be but there are white spots too. Good call though that might help some. 1000 sanding and/or 3M marine compound has a tough time getting the spots black or white out until I work down to some clean gelcoat.

[doubleeagle]

We have alot of problems with tree sap stains I will wash boat with BarsKeeper cleanser and a light scratch pad to clean up stains. I allow it to stand a while before washing it off

[at100plus]

I'm down to 3M 600 grit wetsanding with a da sander and its still slow going. I think this noat has a clearcoat, its nit mold, and it only looks black compared to the red that is under it. Don't know if going 400 grit will help, i keep buying boxes of sanding discs and find that its not course enough.