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Topic: Best method for buffing the exterior (Read 3640 times) previous topic - next topic

Best method for buffing the exterior

Want to improve the exterior appearance of our coach,
First question would be, what type/ brand of buffer works best
Second question, any recommended "polishing" product?
I could not find anything already posted
Thanks
David

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #1 –
This is what Extreme uses

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #2 –
Check out the attached Cindy's write up on how she kept our Gel Coat looking like new.  It's all there from soup to nuts.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #3 –
Thanks Barry, Cindy and Dick
That at least gets me headed in the right direction
I have s lot of buffing ahead
David

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #4 –
Last time I was at Xtreme, Rance used a product called Aqua Buff;
Aqua-Buff Compounds
I bought some, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. A novice user may be better off with a random orbit buffer like the one from Porter Cable, as it is much harder to accidentally burn through the gel coat vs a traditional buffer, IMHO.
Don

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #5 –
a full body paint coach is completely different, I'm not sure what you have?

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #6 –
I use:  Gel-Gloss RV GG-64 Polish and Protector 64 oz with a Porter Cable industrial buffer with sheep head.  The Porter Cable has enough torque that it doesn't slow down while buffing.
I do the whole thing top to bottom, stem to stern 2 times a year.  I apply the Gel Gloss by hand and try to remove any Haze seen in the surface.  Buff when dry.

Have considered using the same stuff Rance uses but I know how this works so I am staying with it,  Been using it since my boat days.


Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #7 –
I used 3M cutting/polishing compound and the Porter Cable orbital polisher when I did my 97 U320. Worked great!

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #8 –
We use the Zainobros.com products,works for me been using them 20 years.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #9 –
Sorry I did not mention that the paint is the original white, just the same as it came off the factory floor

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #10 –
Is it white PAINT or white GEL coat?  Big difference.  OE was gel coated fiberglass.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Is it white PAINT or white GEL coat?  Big difference.  OE was gel coated fiberglass.
Is there a VISUAL way of knowing whether one has paint or gel? My files show a color chart, but no info what application it is.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #12 –
Any good paint guy could look at a coach and tell if the OE gel coated FG has been painted. Same as could be said for someone knowledgeable being able to spot a  repaint on a car.  Been there, done that.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Don & Tys –
Last time I was at Xtreme, Rance used a product called Aqua Buff;
Aqua-Buff Compounds
I bought some, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. A novice user may be better off with a random orbit buffer like the one from Porter Cable, as it is much harder to accidentally burn through the gel coat vs a traditional buffer, IMHO.
Don
Rance gave me a bucket that was near the end of its shelf life when he did the headlights and step.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #14 –
Mike,

Unless repainted, you have a gel coat. Before you can start polishing your coach, you have to determine the condition of the finish. If it has a gel coat and has been stored outside, even a shop buffer is not going to bring it back. I tried buffing but went to a HF jitterbug (air) with 3000 wet/dry with a tiny water spray every thirty seconds or so. This produced a nice shiny surface. A slow speed shop buffer with a foam pad and either new school chemical compound or old school rubbing compound will bring the shine almost to like new. The OEM gel coat is rock hard and difficult to damage with a buffer. Because of this, a super fine wet or dry paper is the ticket as the scratches from a coarse paper can prove very difficult to remove later.

Buffers: I have a Milwaukee shop buffer spinning at 1400 RPM. Also an old 1250 RPM Sioux. These are heavy buffers and will just about dim the lights. I do use quite a bit of pressure but keep the pad moving. They work great for restoring most any kind of headlight or taillight with a plastic cover.

A really good body shop buffer costs a lot but frequently can be found used on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for pennies on the dollar.

Never purchase a 2000 RPM or faster buffer. They can heat and possibly damage the surface in seconds. Low speed is the ticket here.

Restoring the shine IS going to be a lot of work so do a little at a time. A lot of work!

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #15 –
As Pierce says it's A LOT of work. Takes me about a week of on and off to buff and wax the coach. I buff once a year wax 2 times, more on the front for bugs and bay doors for hand prints.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #16 –
It's a project that's on my list as well. I've used those 3M products on my last coach (SOB), after wetsanding due to the amount of oxidation that was present. It was a two week project on a 37' coach, and lots of beer.

3M has a new product out for gelcoat, and I was wondering if anyone has tried it yet?

Introducing 3M™ Gelcoat Finishing System - YouTube

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #17 –
Quote from: bbeane –
As Pierce says it's A LOT of work. Takes me about a week of on and off to buff and wax the coach. I buff once a year wax 2 times, more on the front for bugs and bay doors for hand prints.
The front bumper area seems to be the first to dull and need the most frequent work. The gelcoat seems to be a different quality on our GV's front cap and oxidizes faster, plus seems softer. When the front bumper is badly oxidized, it takes a lot more work to get the bugs off.

I use the same compounds as seen in the top photos. Works well.

Pierce

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #18 –
So I'm assuming that as we are "buffing" the gel coat you will need to stay away from the decals. Are there any tricks to doing that, like blue taping them or... staying far away and doing the close up by hand. I doubt that you just buff right over them.
    Maybe captain obvious can help me out here.

Re: Best method for buffing the exterior

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
So I'm assuming that as we are "buffing" the gel coat you will need to stay away from the decals. Are there any tricks to doing that, like blue taping them or... staying far away and doing the close up by hand. I doubt that you just buff right over them.
    Maybe captain obvious can help me out here.
Using tape works well and should be done. Two inch tape should be wide enough for any mistakes. Our decals were shot, especially on one side so I removed all of them. Took a full day. The worse they are, the harder they are to remove.

P