Favorite buffing compound after cut?

**Mastercraft241** · 09-30-2008, 11:36 PM

3m is the best

**Stealth Assassin** · 10-01-2008, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mastercraft241

3m is the best

What exactly did you use? 3m Is nice. I really like aqua buff, Its a killer 2 stage aluminum polish also.

I learned a long time ago that wet sanding technique Is the best polish you will ever do.

**Mastercraft241** · 10-01-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Stealth Assassin

What exactly did you use? 3m Is nice. I really like aqua buff, Its a killer 2 stage aluminum polish also.

I learned a long time ago that wet sanding technique Is the best polish you will ever do.

3m oxidation remover and polishwax. I used it with a foam pad at 170rpms. After finishing an area, you can wipe off the oxidation with you hand. I do this every two weeks on my boat. Im a little scared of wetsanding and hitting the metal flake. It's also very difficult to apply swirlmark remover(?) and get a good finish. Only person i know that can do that well is GHOST28.

**Mark Poole ModVP** · 10-03-2008, 04:26 PM

3M products are top notch. I have used the Finesse It finish compound to polish small plugs and molds with excellent results.

Solid buffing bars are also available from places like Mini Craft. These solid "bricks" of compound are used by boat builders for polishing full size boat molds and works great at bringing the shine back on a boat with light oxidation. Nice thing about this type of compound is there is little mess, it only leaves a small amount of powder that is washed off after use. One brick goes a long way too. They come in coarse, medium and fine and are different color by grit.

**Stealth Assassin** · 10-03-2008, 05:42 PM

So far Aqua buff Is the best I have ever used. It's water base so It comes clean easy also.

Have you guys seen a compound that comes In a pail like aqua buff but, It Is colored and smells like buble gum? I can't figure out who makes this stuff.

**ghost28** · 10-04-2008, 09:26 PM

i have never tried aquabuff but i am going to get some to try out soon.....i use Meguiars 49 on most badly oxidized boats or in areas where i have to wet sand...it has a feeder oil in it which feeds the gel as it cuts along with diminishing abrasives which wear down as you work the compound for a finer polish.....

as far as after cut i use 3m Finesse it which is a real pain in tha azz on gelcoat as it cakes up if you make the slightest wrong move....i also have a product made by Malco called BUFF LITE that has been working well as an after cut on a wool polish pad....

i have to admit that totally eliminating swirls in Gelcoat is extremely difficult.....i just borrowed a orbital adapter for a rotary polisher that i want to try out which i am hoping will make swirl removal easier and produce better quality results....

here is a little before and after shot of a 21 superboat i did for a friend....

after

and here is our own JERRYs old P22 that i did...i only have after shots but it was flawless once i was done (Jerry left it uncovered for a year and it faded to a pinkish color)...i hand part of the credit to progression as well for using high quality gel and laying it on properly which makes my job nicer....LOL....

**Stealth Assassin** · 10-05-2008, 01:16 PM

Very nice results. Is It finesse It marine or auto? I know what you mean about the caking up part.

Aqua buff Is so clean to work with.

**ghost28** · 10-05-2008, 07:29 PM

i use regular finesse it...i was told by a couple of people that marine finesse is just rebadged finess....who knows...i may have to try the marine version one day....

**Stealth Assassin** · 10-06-2008, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by ghost28

i use regular finesse it...i was told by a couple of people that marine finesse is just rebadged finess....who knows...i may have to try the marine version one day....

I was told the same thing but, I ordered some to see for myself and It definitly smells differant/stronger.

**williamsdetailing** · 10-08-2008, 04:15 PM

Ive used the marine finesse-it and I have never had it cake up on me, it is a very good product. Aquabuff 1000 buffs real nice but i find that the aqua buff 2000 cakes the pad quickly but gives a really nice finish. In the industry, we all say you are paying for water in the finesse-it, you can mix aqua2000 with water and have almost the same product. That is true about quality gel coat, it makes the job a whole lot easier. If its crap gel, then you've got your work cut out for you.

**Stealth Assassin** · 10-08-2008, 04:30 PM

I agree with the 2000 and water mixture. I use a wool pad with the 1000 and a white foam pad with the 2000 and It works great. The marine finesse-It does not cake up with me either It I use the white foam pad.

Derrick

Originally Posted by williamsdetailing

Ive used the marine finesse-it and I have never had it cake up on me, it is a very good product. Aquabuff 1000 buffs real nice but i find that the aqua buff 2000 cakes the pad quickly but gives a really nice finish. In the industry, we all say you are paying for water in the finesse-it, you can mix aqua2000 with water and have almost the same product. That is true about quality gel coat, it makes the job a whole lot easier. If its crap gel, then you've got your work cut out for you.