Advice on buffer pads and wax needed

[OSCBRADLEY]

Hello Friends:
I have a 2000 Itasca Suncruiser with fiberglass sides. Fiberglass is in "ok" shape with some oxidation but not to awefully bad. I have purchased the Porter Cable 7424XP 6 inch variable speed polisher. I am just overwhelmed at all the fiberglass cleaners and waxes that are out there and then I am just not sure what type of pad to use, I'm thinking the yellow color foam ones seem fairly standard but I could be wrong. A couple waxes I am looking at are Gel Coat Labs Gel Coat Fine Cut Polish for RV's or boats and another called 3M Marine Restorer and Wax. Both seem to have fairly high reviews on Amazon.

[SH]

OSCBRADLEY wrote:
SH-
What type of pads did you use with Seapower?

I have a small "palm" buffer so the only thing I could find were terry cloth bonnets. They seemed to work just fine. I would have preferred foam but couldn't locate any. I had six bonnets that I would use during the day so I would not have to stop and clean them. Cleaned after the days work. I took my time and finished in three "easy" days. It could be done in less time. (37 ft. 5th wheel)

[OSCBRADLEY]

SH-
What type of pads did you use with Seapower?

[OSCBRADLEY]

Bamaman1-
Funny you should mention AutoGeek, I sent them an email asking their advice on pads to use with the Seapower product a couple day ago.

[Bamaman11]

You have different color foam applicators for different uses--polishing, compounding, scratch removal, etc. Same with different finishing products--polishes, rubbing compounds, etc.

Most of the major wax companies have products specifically designed for dual action polishers, and they don't put swirl marks in if used with the right foam pad. I use Meguiars professional products on my Bennington tritoon boat to keep it looking like chrome.

Google "auto detail suppliers" or go to AutoGeek.com for details.

[larry_barnhart]

Poli Glow is my method for a nice shine and much easier than any wax I have used since 2001 plus it doesn't attack dirt.

chevman

[SH]

OSCBRADLEY wrote:
Thanks SH, looks great!! hope mine comes out as nice!! Hard to believe but we are in the 30's here in Houston, soon as it warms up I'm going to get out there and start cleaning.

I know Amazon sells Seapower but I would assume just about any marine store would as well?

I got it at the local marine store (LFS). I am sure most marine supply stores will carry it, Collinite, and/or Starbrite. They are all good products.

[OSCBRADLEY]

Thanks SH, looks great!! hope mine comes out as nice!! Hard to believe but we are in the 30's here in Houston, soon as it warms up I'm going to get out there and start cleaning.

I know Amazon sells Seapower but I would assume just about any marine store would as well?

[SH]

FYI...these are the instructions to apply Sea Power For Machine Use: Apply SeaPower Cleaner and Wax and buff a small portion at a time. Buff until clear and dry and when entire area is finished, wipe off excess with a clean soft cloth. At first I applied it like a normal wax and tried wiping when dry. Buffing until its clear and dry made the job much easier! I did have to change pads often.

Here are a couple of photos of the job in progress.

[OSCBRADLEY]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info. I will be giving the Seapower a try along with Maguires foam pad for application and a terry cloth pad for buffing. Soon as I get a decent day I will give it a try, thanks again to everyone!!!

[Gjac]

If your FG is highly oxidized the Starbrite product has a lot of cutting compound and works well at least on boats. One word of caution boats generally have thicker gel coat than the sidewalls of a MH. It is easy to burn through 10 mils of gel coat and expose fibers with a buffing wheel and Starbrite. I would start with the Maguires compound sold at HF and use their buffing pads also. The lighter compounds take longer to remove the oxidation but is safer. If you take a small area and rub that area by hand with a cleaner wax and the shine comes back the Maguires or any compound or cleaner wax will work well with a buffing wheel. Some MHs have Filon side walls like mine where you can see the fibers through the gel coat. This will be a lot of work and if you have good shoulders will be worth it, if not the Zeps treatment works well for older highly oxidized MH's.

[Padlin]

Garry&Gayle wrote:
I clean the pads using Simple Green and OxyClean, work the Simple Green into the pad then put into the sink with Oxyclean and let them soak a while then rinse them out, too expensive to throw out after one use. I have over 10 times on mine. The 3M products work great and they own Meguiars too.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Without cleaning, I get at least a few vehicles out of a pad.

[prichardson]

My preference is the Starbrite marine polish. I use a terrycloth bonnet for both application and buffing.

[Garry_Gayle]

I clean the pads using Simple Green and OxyClean, work the Simple Green into the pad then put into the sink with Oxyclean and let them soak a while then rinse them out, too expensive to throw out after one use. I have over 10 times on mine. The 3M products work great and they own Meguiars too.

[Padlin]

I went with a Flex polisher, although there are many cheaper alternatives, and McGuire's foam pads. I toss them too as they don't clean very well.

Started using Starbrite polish on the new trailer, so far so good. Did half the truck hood with carnauba wax and half with the polish in the fall. So far the polish is holding up quite a bit better.

I've always liked 3m products, from my autobody days, I don't think you could go wrong with it.