buffer recommendations

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used2sail

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I'm starting toi get my head into pre season mode and I'm looking at a serious compounding session on my boat. Last season I found that my buffer ( Makita 7" rotary) is really too big to do the walkaround area on my 2006 sailfish. I'd like to pick up a smaller buffer that will allow me to work the fore deck area more easily. Can anyone share their experience with smaller buffers that work in the walkaround area. I'm concerned with getting the sides of the cabin and vertical face opposite the cabin where the big buffer is just too big to reach. I did some searching online yesterday but its tough to tell how well any of the bufffers are going to fit .
 
I used this Proxxon, it got mostly everywhere I needed, only a couple spots had to be done by hand. 99 sailfish

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Shurhold makes several models.

Boat Buffers & Polishers

Discover the power of professional-grade boat buffers for polishing and shining surfaces with Shurhold's top-of-the-line equipment. Achieve a showroom-quality finish on your boat (car of RV) with our versatile and durable buffers.
shurhold.com shurhold.com
I don't know first hand how well the smaller randoms will do on decks especially anti-slip decks. I would imagine that you might need brushes instead of pads to get into the groves. Shurhold has brush attachments.
There are less expensive offerings out there. My experience is that in addition to dependability, the more expensive polishers are usually lighter. That is more so for the larger rotary buffers. For decks, the weight is not as big an issue as it is for hull buffing. The heavier polishers can really tire yours out in a hurry:)
 
seasick said:
Shurhold makes several models.

Boat Buffers & Polishers

Discover the power of professional-grade boat buffers for polishing and shining surfaces with Shurhold's top-of-the-line equipment. Achieve a showroom-quality finish on your boat (car of RV) with our versatile and durable buffers.
shurhold.com shurhold.com
I don't know first hand how well the smaller randoms will do on decks especially anti-slip decks. I would imagine that you might need brushes instead of pads to get into the groves. Shurhold has brush attachments.
There are less expensive offerings out there. My experience is that in addition to dependability, the more expensive polishers are usually lighter. That is more so for the larger rotary buffers. For decks, the weight is not as big an issue as it is for hull buffing. The heavier polishers can really tire yours out in a hurry:)
Click to expand...
It's not so much the decks I'm concerned with, the non skid hides the lack of shine. Its the vertical sides of the cabin and the inwhales that really need the atention. They are dull and oxidized and my big makita is too big to get in there. I wish it would because with a wool pad on it you can really generate the heat you need to remove the heavy oxidation. I'll take a look at the shurhold buffers I've seen them mentioned as a quality buffer. Does anyone have any experience with the Griots brand buffers? I see them mentioned frequently on THT and I'm considering one of those. What is the general consensus on cordless vs corded? I can see working a cordless to remove heavy oxidation as a recipe to spend the day waiting for batteries to recharge.
 
I don't know about Groats. I never saw one.
With respect to cordless, I may be wrong but my assumption is that cordless would be bulkier and heavier.
 
My main polisher is a Flex. I think the model is #3401, which is their 6” model. They do make a smaller version.
Expensive. Excellent quality.
 
Have gone through the same issue on my Sailfish. Ended up purchasing some cone shaped wool attachments for drill and used that to get by, but I really like the looks and size of that Proxxon.
I think I might go for that one and give it a try. Thanks for sharing that Wild Blue!
 
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For the tough to reach areas I have been using a cordless 90 degree drill with a 3.5 inch ryobi backing plate and a variety of pads. Works great as the smaller pads can get pretty much everywhere. I have a large rotary and a porter cable which work well but there a bunch of places they just will not fit.
 
I have the porter cable like Dennis. Been a workhorse and does almost all areas. If you are fussing with the small areas, do a google search. Plenty of small ones out there. I'd stay with electric vs portable unless you have a very small area your worried about.
 
I’ve been looking at the Maxshine M8S DA as I’m thinking it would work well in those tighter areas you mention, I have the Makita polisher for the larger areas on the boat.
 
I've been continuing my research on buffers and ive found that Makita makes a 5' buffer that the operator can select true random orbit or gear driven dual action modes. This sounds like a great option or it can be a case of trying to do too many things and ending up doing none well. Given my great experience with the 7" rotary makita i have had for years I'm inclined to give one a try. Has anybody here used one or know anyone who has??
 
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