Re: montgomery_boats Digest, Vol 28, Issue 9
Tod/Group, Ditto Rachel's comments regarding HD sander/polishers. I had the Milwaukee she referenced, but when it finally burned out, I replaced it with a Makita #9227C 7" Sander Polisher. I like it better than the Milwaukee ergonomics-wise, and it has a 'soft-start' feature that keeps you from inadvertently showering your boat yard mates with rubbing compound (spins up slowly). I have done about five boats with the new Makita, and it has performed flawlessly. It is a variable speed (0-3000rpm) model. I rarely use it beyond 1/2 speed. The small orbitals are OK for fine car finishes, but are better suited to back massages than cutting oxidized gel coat! Straight circular polishers are better suited to gel coat use than automotive paints, as it is easier to burn through the latter. If you do use a large circular on auto paint, be very careful, and do not use too aggressive a compound. As for your DeWalt 4.5" grinder--don't even think about it. It is a fixed 10,000 RPM machine, and is great for sanding, grinding, and cutting (I know--I have and use several), but would be a nightmare for buffing/polishing (too aggressive, and with too much potential for inadvertent damage). For this reason, I doubt you will find a bonnet or pad that will fit small grinders. BTW, I use 3M 'Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound' followed by 3M 'Finesse-It,' and finally Colonite Fleet Paste Wax on most boats. I find the Colonite lasts about two years on white hulls, and about 8-12 months on dark (Northern California). While I have seen some seemingly amazing results with Penetrol, I have yet to embrace it as a panacea for oxidized hulls. There was an active thread on the Flicka Group regarding some longer term problems with Penetrol. Apparently the cumulative buildup of Penetrol is nigh impossible to remove, and tends to yellow with age. One poor soul tried all manner of chemical warfare before turning to wet sanding the entire hull to get down to virgin gel coat. I was on a boat yesterday that had one year old Penetrol, and it already looked pretty bad (dark hull). I queried the owner as to his procedure, and learned that he did not do a good job of rubbing out the hull prior to application. What he now has is a combination of chalky gel sealed with Penetrol, and the removal thereof looks messy at best. I took my fingernail and tried to scratch away some of the buildup to no avail. Since I have been conscripted to help with this project, I will report on the ultimate process. Until then, I am continuing to monitor about four boats with varying ages of (correctly applied) Penetrol before I advocate or adopt its use. Best, Scott
The closest thing I have is a Dewalt high-speed angle grinder, but I don't see any sort of reference to the ability to put a buffing bonnet on it.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=145
I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of serious buffing, so if it's not too much trouble, if you could point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.
Tod
Thanks, Scott Found a couple web pages with some pics and specs: http://store.yahoo.com/bradystools/maposa7elkit.html http://firsttechtools.com/makita_9227cx.htm Tod -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Wilsometer@aol.com Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 7:07 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Re: montgomery_boats Digest, Vol 28, Issue 9 Tod/Group, Ditto Rachel's comments regarding HD sander/polishers. I had the Milwaukee she referenced, but when it finally burned out, I replaced it with a Makita #9227C 7" Sander Polisher. I like it better than the Milwaukee ergonomics-wise, and it has a 'soft-start' feature that keeps you from inadvertently showering your boat yard mates with rubbing compound (spins up slowly). I have done about five boats with the new Makita, and it has performed flawlessly. It is a variable speed (0-3000rpm) model. I rarely use it beyond 1/2 speed. The small orbitals are OK for fine car finishes, but are better suited to back massages than cutting oxidized gel coat! Straight circular polishers are better suited to gel coat use than automotive paints, as it is easier to burn through the latter. If you do use a large circular on auto paint, be very careful, and do not use too aggressive a compound. As for your DeWalt 4.5" grinder--don't even think about it. It is a fixed 10,000 RPM machine, and is great for sanding, grinding, and cutting (I know--I have and use several), but would be a nightmare for buffing/polishing (too aggressive, and with too much potential for inadvertent damage). For this reason, I doubt you will find a bonnet or pad that will fit small grinders. BTW, I use 3M 'Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound' followed by 3M 'Finesse-It,' and finally Colonite Fleet Paste Wax on most boats. I find the Colonite lasts about two years on white hulls, and about 8-12 months on dark (Northern California). While I have seen some seemingly amazing results with Penetrol, I have yet to embrace it as a panacea for oxidized hulls. There was an active thread on the Flicka Group regarding some longer term problems with Penetrol. Apparently the cumulative buildup of Penetrol is nigh impossible to remove, and tends to yellow with age. One poor soul tried all manner of chemical warfare before turning to wet sanding the entire hull to get down to virgin gel coat. I was on a boat yesterday that had one year old Penetrol, and it already looked pretty bad (dark hull). I queried the owner as to his procedure, and learned that he did not do a good job of rubbing out the hull prior to application. What he now has is a combination of chalky gel sealed with Penetrol, and the removal thereof looks messy at best. I took my fingernail and tried to scratch away some of the buildup to no avail. Since I have been conscripted to help with this project, I will report on the ultimate process. Until then, I am continuing to monitor about four boats with varying ages of (correctly applied) Penetrol before I advocate or adopt its use. Best, Scott
The closest thing I have is a Dewalt high-speed angle grinder, but I don't see any sort of reference to the ability to put a buffing bonnet on it.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=145
I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of serious buffing, so if it's not too much trouble, if you could point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.
Tod
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There's a guy in Alameda that uses an air driven sander to wet sand boats. I think he works all the way up to 2000 grit. The boats look fabulous after he gets done, way better than new. Norm
One poor soul tried all manner of chemical warfare before turning to wet sanding the entire hull to get down to virgin gel coat.
On Jun 6, 2005, at 7:07 PM, Wilsometer@aol.com wrote:
Tod/Group, Ditto Rachel's comments regarding HD sander/polishers. I had the Milwaukee she referenced, but when it finally burned out, I replaced it with a Makita #9227C 7" Sander Polisher. I like it better than the Milwaukee ergonomics-wise, and it has a 'soft-start' feature that keeps you from inadvertently showering your boat yard mates with rubbing compound (spins up slowly).
Hi Scott, I'm glad you chimed in. That "soft start" feature sounds really good, and it's good to know there's a buffer that works as well as the Milwaukee but has that feature. Yeah, I could have buffed out one or two friends with the "sling out" from the Milwaukee when it started up :-) I did learn to control it some, later on... Also good to hear a confirmation that those little car buffers don't work (as well as why). I mean, I wondered if it was just me... I'm kind of glad I haven't tried Penetrol yet. It sounds a bit like silicone in that "scary hard to get off" way. I'll be interested to hear what your ongoing monitoring turns up. Happy buffing everyone, --- Rachel Fatty Knees 7' dinghy Former owner, M-17 #334 Former owner, M-15 #517
If you don't own a snder/polisher harbor freight has one that I used for my polishing, I have both a 7" Makita and a 10" craftsman grinder they are too fast. The harbor freight polisher has a 10 speed variable controller for "soft starts" this thing usally sells for 39.00 but check the internet price first, I was able to get mine for 24.00 w/extra brushes. Cant beat it gil -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Rachel Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:59 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Penetrol/buffing On Jun 6, 2005, at 7:07 PM, Wilsometer@aol.com wrote:
Tod/Group, Ditto Rachel's comments regarding HD sander/polishers. I had the Milwaukee she referenced, but when it finally burned out, I replaced it with a Makita #9227C 7" Sander Polisher. I like it better than the Milwaukee ergonomics-wise, and it has a 'soft-start' feature that keeps you from inadvertently showering your boat yard mates with rubbing compound (spins up slowly).
Hi Scott, I'm glad you chimed in. That "soft start" feature sounds really good, and it's good to know there's a buffer that works as well as the Milwaukee but has that feature. Yeah, I could have buffed out one or two friends with the "sling out" from the Milwaukee when it started up :-) I did learn to control it some, later on... Also good to hear a confirmation that those little car buffers don't work (as well as why). I mean, I wondered if it was just me... I'm kind of glad I haven't tried Penetrol yet. It sounds a bit like silicone in that "scary hard to get off" way. I'll be interested to hear what your ongoing monitoring turns up. Happy buffing everyone, --- Rachel Fatty Knees 7' dinghy Former owner, M-17 #334 Former owner, M-15 #517 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
participants (5)
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Gilbert Landin -
htmills@bright.net -
Norm Lane -
Rachel -
Wilsometer@aol.com