Boat Prep help

**Geowh** · 05-07-2021, 10:38 AM

I am getting ready to prep my 33' white fiberglass boat for the boating season. The gel coat is in very good shape so I dont want to use anything too abrasive on it. I have read many forums on the topic and being a Meguiars fan this was my idea. After washing boat I am considering using the M50 cleaner wax to do an over all cleaning and bring out more of the shine and then follow with the Flagship Premium Marine wax to help further protect it as long as possible.
I own a PC DA polisher and have read a lot about there new SDO pads.
Has anyone done this process before and if so any comments? Also, I am still trying to choose between the best pads to use, SDO, CCS etc, given the limitations of my PC. Thanks
Geowh

Mike Phillips · 05-07-2021, 11:07 AM

Hi and welcome to AutogeekOnline!

Meguiar's makes good marine products as long as the gelcoat is in really good condition and your plan should work.

For the Porter Cable, it is a weak tool but you can maximize it's' power by using THIN foam pads. Also, my experience is gelcoat doesn't like soft foam, it likes sharp foam for polishing BUT you won't know until you do a Test Spot.

Here's the link to an article I wrote back in 2016 about various THIN foam pads on the market including Meguiar's.

5.5" SUPER THIN FOAM PAD OPTIONS for your Dual Action Polisher

Super thin 5.5" foam buffing pads

Their maroon foam cutting pad is THIN and sharp or course and COULD work great but you need to test and make sure you're getting the result you hope and dream about.

I would get one or two pads and test them and if the results look great then buy at least a half dozen for the reasons I just shared here,

BLACK BOAT - Product advice recommendation

I cannot stress the importance of testing or doing what we call a TEST SPOT to whatever it is you're buffing out BEFORE buffing out the entire thing. You need to dial in the perfect process otherwise you may find yourself doing it a second time.

I have to get out to the garage and machine buff the rest of the swirls and scratches out of the windshield of a 1957 Corvette. I'll check back on your thread later.

LIVE - Removing Windshield Wiper Scratches in Glass on a 1957 Corvette

Windshield Wiper Scratches

**Geowh** · 05-07-2021, 11:30 AM

Thanks Mike
I've read many of your articles relating to some of the challenges of my PC but I really only use it for applying cleaner, wax a couple times a year. I read where you discussed the importance of making sure the pad is always rotating and thats where the thin pads may provide better results.
i'm leaning towards the LC pads. LC suggested their SDO pads perhaps a blue and black. My question is, I know the hole in the middle of the pad is to help dissipate heat but is that really necessary with my PC? This may be a dumb question but wouldnt the hole be a place to collect product as you are applying it and effect how it is dispersed across the surface? Would a flat pad be better? I really value your opinion. What thin pad would you recommend, and maybe it will be the SDO, and do you also recommend I switch to a 5" backing plate vs the 6" one I have?
Thanks again,
George

Mike Phillips · 05-07-2021, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Geowh

My question is, I know the hole in the middle of the pad is to help dissipate heat but is that really necessary with my PC?

This may be a dumb question but wouldnt the hole be a place to collect product as you are applying it and effect how it is dispersed across the surface?

Would a flat pad be better? I really value your opinion.

What thin pad would you recommend, and maybe it will be the SDO, and do you also recommend I switch to a 5" backing plate vs the 6" one I have?

Thanks again,

George

All polishers generate heat and transfer to the surface you're buffing, with a PC it's not that bad.

The hole for a PC would be less of an issue. As long as you're working clean the hole isn't and issue for contamination.

I'm a flat pad guy but flat pads with holes are a good thing. I just don't like "designs" in the face of the pad, doesn't make sense to me and makes them much harder to clean with a nylon brush.

Not a fan of the HDO or SDO pads. KISS - Keep it Simple Simon. Do get a 5" backing plate, you will see a huge improvement over pad rotation and overall performance as compared to a 6" backing plate and the corresponding larger and thicker pads.

Any of the pads in the article I shared above will work great on the PC, the key is to test the different TYPES to find out which works the best on your boat's specific type of gelcoat for the condition it's in and the products you're using and the only way to do that is to get some pads and do some Test Spots.

That's how I buff out everything. It all starts with testing.

Mike Phillips · 05-07-2021, 12:51 PM

I took a break to check on your thread.... now back to this....

**Geowh** · 05-08-2021, 10:10 AM

Thanks Mike
I understand testing is important but I still need a place to start. I researched your posts and watched the videos. I asked you about the SDO, Standard Duty Orbital pads because of your video review on Autogeek on 7/20/18 with 2 LC specialists. You also sent me info on the LC 5.5" 7/8 flat pads and the LC Thin Pro 5.5"pads both from Autogeek . I think the Thin Pro might be too thin? Would you recommend the LC 5.5" 7/8" pad as a good start to try? If so, do you know if its closed or open cell? I couldn't tell from the description. As I said, I'm using Meg. Cleaner wax follow by their Flagship Wax with a PC on a fiberglass boat with gel coat in very good shape. Which 2 pads would recommend to apply Cleaner and then follow with wax?