I bought a Makita a few years ago, it was a little pricey but seemed to be well worth it compared to the HF stuff.
HF stuff is good enough to use infrequently. I'll use this thing maybe twice a year and the rest of the time it will spend its life in a shed. Even if it does die, I can buy 4 of them before I get to the price of a makita.
I've got a Milwaukee Polisher , love it. I rely on tools every single day, I never once have regretted buying the best I can. I do prefer the Wizard brand foam polishing pads over the 3M brand ones though, and I'm a huge fan of 3M products. The Wizard ones seem to last longer. I still stick it to a 3M head though.
I'm boatless.
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#261096 07/09/1310:42 AM07/09/1310:42 AM
I bought a Makita a few years ago, it was a little pricey but seemed to be well worth it compared to the HF stuff.
HF stuff is good enough to use infrequently. I'll use this thing maybe twice a year and the rest of the time it will spend its life in a shed. Even if it does die, I can buy 4 of them before I get to the price of a makita.
If you do go cheap ,make sure the polisher is balanced so as not to dig and wobble. I bought a Blue point/Snap-on polisher off of E-bay after killing a few cheaper (even Black &Decker) ones. I like the 3M wool pads( Haven't tried the ones Karl mentioned though) and the 3M restorer and polish. It's such a miserable job I feel spending a little more on quality tools to make it expedient and top quality at the same time is worth it. One thing people seem to fail to realize is paint goes bad just like gel-coat. The high end paints seem to advertise 5-7 years before a re-coat.
"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea Isak Dinesen If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most. E. B. White
I put the ole bitch in the garage today and getting her taped off to grind off all of the non-skid.
After I'm done with that, I'll tackle the refinishing project. Here's what I'm dealing with:
Old scar repair. When the white was sprayed on it was just too transparent or just not built up enough.
Yellow side repair. This was gelcoat that never fully kicked. It also happens to be the spot where I tagged the lowered tailgate of Jake's truck with the boat while trailering down at Columbia sailing club. Last time I tried to do anything with this spot, it just got tacky and sticky like I had just pulled off a decal there. I think the only way I'm going to fix that is with a big decal... Jake???
Then the gelcoat flaking. Just need to sand it down I think so it stops then properly wet sand, compound and polish.
Boat is going up for sale this winter likely so I need to get her looking respectable at least.
I put the ole bitch in the garage today and getting her taped off to grind off all of the non-skid.
After I'm done with that, I'll tackle the refinishing project. Here's what I'm dealing with:
Old scar repair. When the white was sprayed on it was just too transparent or just not built up enough.
Yellow side repair. This was gelcoat that never fully kicked. It also happens to be the spot where I tagged the lowered tailgate of Jake's truck with the boat while trailering down at Columbia sailing club. Last time I tried to do anything with this spot, it just got tacky and sticky like I had just pulled off a decal there. I think the only way I'm going to fix that is with a big decal... Jake???
Then the gelcoat flaking. Just need to sand it down I think so it stops then properly wet sand, compound and polish.
Boat is going up for sale this winter likely so I need to get her looking respectable at least.
Interesting...the white bow repair where it flaked off - that was gelcoat with duratec (I did this part) but it looks like it's back too far and on shiny gelcoat. This is probably why it's flaking off....in my defense, I hadn't anticipated how transparent the duratec would make the gelcoat and I ended up having to put much more on and feather it back further than I intended to blend in the thickness...but now I know. Thanks for the pics.
Don't worry Jake - I'm not picking nits with you whatsoever or trying to call you out. You did me such a solid favor on that repair that I couldn't ever hope to repay you. You still cutting hull vinyl? I might need to cover up these scabs with something more easy to apply than paint or gelcoat. As far as I can see it, the ONLY way that I'm going to ever get a like new finish on this thing is if I either paint the whole damn thing (adding more weight) or grind every bit of gelcoat off the thing and respray it - and given the revelations you made earlier in the thread about gelcoat not being meant as a paint, I think that I'm pretty screwed.
Don't worry Jake - I'm not picking nits with you whatsoever or trying to call you out. You did me such a solid favor on that repair that I couldn't ever hope to repay you. You still cutting hull vinyl? I might need to cover up these scabs with something more easy to apply than paint or gelcoat. As far as I can see it, the ONLY way that I'm going to ever get a like new finish on this thing is if I either paint the whole damn thing (adding more weight) or grind every bit of gelcoat off the thing and respray it - and given the revelations you made earlier in the thread about gelcoat not being meant as a paint, I think that I'm pretty screwed.
no offense taken...I learn from every project.
I honestly think you are over thinking this. Just removing the mildew might make a pretty solid improvement. ;-)
It seems that the duratec repair (although clearly chipped but not a fault of the duratec) is still pretty glossy...is that the case?
Decals are not a problem...our graphics shop has improved and grown and our newly created 900 sqft is getting small already.
Jake Kohl
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: Jake]
#261195 07/11/1308:14 AM07/11/1308:14 AM
I honestly think you are over thinking this. Just removing the mildew might make a pretty solid improvement. ;-)
It seems that the duratec repair (although clearly chipped but not a fault of the duratec) is still pretty glossy...is that the case?
Decals are not a problem...our graphics shop has improved and grown and our newly created 900 sqft is getting small already.
I may be overthinking it - but I caught a lot of friendly jabs at Sizzler about my boat looking like sh*t so I decided that I shall once again, for the third year in a row, try to polish and wax the thing. Those blemishes aren't going anywhere unless I completely refinish the boat or cover them up with some swanky graphics :P Like I said I'll be selling the boat this winter so I'm not going to be dumping a whole lot of cash into it now.
The duratec spot actually mildewed a bit more than the rest of the boat - its not glossy anymore but then again the tarp that covers the boat doesn't quite make it all the way out to the ends of the bows so its pretty much uncovered in the floridian aun all the time.
Is that a picture of the "new" garage-mahal? Thats pretty boss.
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#261196 07/11/1308:17 AM07/11/1308:17 AM
going to get another cat or take a break from ownership?
Originally Posted by Undecided
Originally Posted by Jake
no offense taken...I learn from every project.
I honestly think you are over thinking this. Just removing the mildew might make a pretty solid improvement. ;-)
It seems that the duratec repair (although clearly chipped but not a fault of the duratec) is still pretty glossy...is that the case?
Decals are not a problem...our graphics shop has improved and grown and our newly created 900 sqft is getting small already.
I may be overthinking it - but I caught a lot of friendly jabs at Sizzler about my boat looking like sh*t so I decided that I shall once again, for the third year in a row, try to polish and wax the thing. Those blemishes aren't going anywhere unless I completely refinish the boat or cover them up with some swanky graphics :P Like I said I'll be selling the boat this winter so I'm not going to be dumping a whole lot of cash into it now.
The duratec spot actually mildewed a bit more than the rest of the boat - its not glossy anymore but then again the tarp that covers the boat doesn't quite make it all the way out to the ends of the bows so its pretty much uncovered in the floridian aun all the time.
Is that a picture of the "new" garage-mahal? Thats pretty boss.
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ]
#261197 07/11/1308:26 AM07/11/1308:26 AM
going to get another cat or take a break from ownership?
Probably take a break. The wife and I will have to move this time next year - and so far the only places that she wants to apply for fellowship to are landlocked mountainous areas. Thankfully it will only be for one year that we have to live in such dreadful conditions. Then after that I'll get back in. Right now Wilmington NC is where we're thinking of ending up. Wife already has stamped her approval on the purchase of a new boat when she's done with fellowship - but she's talking something bigger than a beach cat.
We'll see at this point.
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#261198 07/11/1308:35 AM07/11/1308:35 AM
I put the ole bitch in the garage today and getting her taped off to grind off all of the non-skid.
After I'm done with that, I'll tackle the refinishing project. Here's what I'm dealing with:
Old scar repair. When the white was sprayed on it was just too transparent or just not built up enough.
Yellow side repair. This was gel coat that never fully kicked. It also happens to be the spot where I tagged the lowered tailgate of Jake's truck with the boat while trailering down at Columbia sailing club. Last time I tried to do anything with this spot, it just got tacky and sticky like I had just pulled off a decal there. I think the only way I'm going to fix that is with a big decal... Jake???
Then the gel coat flaking. Just need to sand it down I think so it stops then properly wet sand, compound and polish.
Boat is going up for sale this winter likely so I need to get her looking respectable at least.
Interesting...the white bow repair where it flaked off - that was gel coat with duratec (I did this part) but it looks like it's back too far and on shiny gelcoat. This is probably why it's flaking off....in my defense, I hadn't anticipated how transparent the duratec would make the gelcoat and I ended up having to put much more on and feather it back further than I intended to blend in the thickness...but now I know. Thanks for the pics.
My guess from the pic is the flaking started around the tang and then spread. When you have a break in the surface like that tang hole offers you give the elements a way in. Given that area flexes a lot it also helps loosen the bond of the new stuff. One thing to do in the future is take a razor knife and dig around the tang to clean it out and if any rust is present use some rust remover on the tang to clean it off. After the repair you can use a little 5200 to seal.
Another thing about spot repairs is when you blend them in and sand, the blend edge is very thin. This is another weakness of the surface that will degrade faster allowing the elements to get behind the repair.
Gel coats and paints have a minimum thickness required to be durable. I think Gel is around 15 mil. paint 4-5 mil.
Have Fun
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#261204 07/11/1310:29 AM07/11/1310:29 AM
I honestly think you are over thinking this. Just removing the mildew might make a pretty solid improvement. ;-)
It seems that the duratec repair (although clearly chipped but not a fault of the duratec) is still pretty glossy...is that the case?
Decals are not a problem...our graphics shop has improved and grown and our newly created 900 sqft is getting small already.
I may be overthinking it - but I caught a lot of friendly jabs at Sizzler about my boat looking like sh*t so I decided that I shall once again, for the third year in a row, try to polish and wax the thing. Those blemishes aren't going anywhere unless I completely refinish the boat or cover them up with some swanky graphics :P Like I said I'll be selling the boat this winter so I'm not going to be dumping a whole lot of cash into it now.
The duratec spot actually mildewed a bit more than the rest of the boat - its not glossy anymore but then again the tarp that covers the boat doesn't quite make it all the way out to the ends of the bows so its pretty much uncovered in the floridian aun all the time.
Is that a picture of the "new" garage-mahal? Thats pretty boss.
Yes...that's the 2nd story - the office of Green Room Graphics. The garage downstairs is mostly done and getting close to finally having it's tile floor. Here's the downstairs (pictures are crummy). Garage was sized so a Nacra 20, complete with mast, would fit inside on trailer with no shuffling. I've got a back garage door that opens to the back yard so I can pull straight through. Turns out that made for really incredible breeze through the garage on nice days and sanding dust exit with both doors open and a big fan moving the air through from one end and out the other.
Jake Kohl
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: JACKFLASH]
#261211 07/11/1311:15 AM07/11/1311:15 AM
Gotta thank whoever it was at Sizzler that said "Jesus Tad your boat looks like crap!" I'm pretty sure it was Ding or Karl but whoever it was, thanks - you shamed me into putting work into it.
Can't remember the last time I could see my reflection in the hull.
Pitty I couldn't have it done in time for Gilligans
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#262050 08/05/1307:47 AM08/05/1307:47 AM
What product did you use to detail your cat? (wax, newglass, polyshmeer, etc)
Originally Posted by Undecided
Gotta thank whoever it was at Sizzler that said "Jesus Tad your boat looks like crap!" I'm pretty sure it was Ding or Karl but whoever it was, thanks - you shamed me into putting work into it.
Can't remember the last time I could see my reflection in the hull.
Pitty I couldn't have it done in time for Gilligans
Re: Cat Refinishing--What's your take?
[Re: JACKFLASH]
#262051 08/05/1307:53 AM08/05/1307:53 AM
Its something that Matt MacDonald sold me. He puts it on his boats that come out of his shop and its really nice, grippy material. Not sure what it is exactly but he was kind enough to measure my boat for it and have the pieces cut from patterns. Really have to thank him for it. Once I declutter the tramp from all the tools on it, I'll take a better pic but here's what the deck pieces look like:
![[Linked Image]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zd8341Xh-2U/Ud3dTQT-bVI/AAAAAAAAlTU/AwAOpNcbcxk/w1039-h779-no/SAM_0018.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tgQSZNJSYQk/Ud3dTphYCmI/AAAAAAAAlTY/BmY0tRk_thU/w1039-h779-no-Ut/SAM_0020.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d_WWvk0_23M/Ud3dTa9ZyGI/AAAAAAAAlTQ/hyzc2neCFNc/w1039-h779-no/SAM_0019.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/9260007114_1e846c090b_o.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.catsailor.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=12686&filename=photo%201.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.catsailor.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=12687&filename=photo%202.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MFVQq7G6Ke8/Uf19ZPazDdI/AAAAAAAAlyY/D_NY06RS3TE/w1039-h779-no/IMG_20130803_175712.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yS7wGzomGCM/Uf2iT9ddYxI/AAAAAAAAlzc/yMt3bz5PRWg/w1039-h779-no/IMG_20130803_175736.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gM8eQLUX12g/UeltlfyrmaI/AAAAAAAAleI/yuObfSPeLMA/w584-h779-no/IMG_20130719_124652.jpg)