Buffing Boat?

[hgvandy]

I have learned a ton on this forum about buffing a boat and feel comfortable tackling this job. I read where the Porter Cable is a preferred buffer, but the cheapest price I found was $119.00. I also found a Black and Decker, which I know is not as good, but only $30.00. Is is worth the price difference, or can I get by with a Black & Decker. The biggest difference I saw was that the PC has variable speed that goes over 6000 OPM while the B&D is set at 4400 OPM. Also, there are a lot more pads I found online for the PC, but I have found 4 different ones for the B&D that should work for all my needs. Just trying to save a little money.
Thanks.

[viking]

I was in the same predicament a few months ago. Bit the bullet and bought the PC 7424XP and Lake Country pads. Quality stuff and glad I did it. I'll use it a ton for all my vehicles and the boat at least once or twice a year.

[brain_rinse]

I have the PC but in the end it's just a random orbit sander with a buffer plate bolted on. The adjustibility is nice but 4400 sounds decent for most jobs. You should still be able to get all the same pads. I really like the Lake County CCS pads personally.

[lsvboombox]

I have learned a ton on this forum about buffing a boat and feel comfortable tackling this job. I read where the Porter Cable is a preferred buffer, but the cheapest price I found was $119.00. I also found a Black and Decker, which I know is not as good, but only $30.00. Is is worth the price difference, or can I get by with a Black & Decker. The biggest difference I saw was that the PC has variable speed that goes over 6000 OPM while the B&D is set at 4400 OPM. Also, there are a lot more pads I found online for the PC, but I have found 4 different ones for the B&D that should work for all my needs. Just trying to save a little money.
Thanks.

def get a variable speed... 4400 rpm will cut right thru your gelcoat with an aggressive polish....... all you need is around 2000 rpm's to get the job done with an aggressive polish..

for just buffing the 4400 could be ok but if you arent paying attention you can still burn thru the gelcoat

with the variable speed you can start off slow and work your way up as you get more comfortable...

[KSmith]

I got the B&D polisher from Lowes, sounds like the same one. I have some scratches in the gel-coat and some ghosting from where I removed the lettering. If I end up burning through the gel-coat then I am one step closer to a ZDecals 3/4 or maybe even full wrap

I'm thinking Xeon Blue/White... yeah that's the ticket

[brain_rinse]

No way you're gonna burn thru gelcoat with a random orbit... they don't generate heat like a rotary so they're great for DIY guys like most of us. And gelcoat is surprisingly thick and you'd have to really try hard to get all the way through it, even with sandpaper.

[loudsubz]

I have the PC buffer with CCS pads. I also used Poor Boys Polish (SSR1 and SSR2 as well as Black Hole and let me tell ya, on an all black hull it gives such a deep rich look that it almost looks like there is a piece of glass in front of the hull and your looking at the hull about 2-3 feet away...amazing.

I also use it on my familys cars and it is able to get out all the scratches they have on it...and even a line down the side of my parents 2007 accord that was keyed by some immature kid

[lsvboombox]

aaahhh.. i overlooked the opm and assumed rpm.... yes you can sit on top of one of those and they will not do any damage .. good for a wax but thats about it....

jmo.................