Ask Mike Phillips your Boat Detailing Questions If you have a question about detailing your boat with Marine 31 products or about something you saw on Ship Shape TV or in a video, please post your questions in this forum. |
Thread Tools |
05-07-2014, 11:02 AM | #1 |
Status: Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
|
Wax removal swirls
Mike,
I am using the Flex 3401 buffer (wonderful machine) but I am having trouble removing all the wax. Seems to make no difference whether I hand apply or machine apply. After I use the Flex to remove the wax I get several areas that have built up wax swirls. It's as if that the wax is applied to heavily but I really try to watch that. The swirls need to be hand buffed off (with a great deal of effort) as they seem to just build up if I continue buffing on them with the Flex. I keep the buff-off pad clean. Any suggestions? Thanks |
05-07-2014, 11:45 AM | #2 |
Status: Director of Training
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 675
|
Re: Wax removal swirls
What are you working on?
What condition is the hull surface? Which product are you using?
__________________
Made by boat people for boat people... |
05-07-2014, 12:06 PM | #3 | |
Status: Director of Training
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 675
|
Re: Wax removal swirls
Quote:
Normally you don't remove waxes by machine. It's possible if you're using a microfiber bonnet on a DRY pad but I've NEVER tried doing this with a Flex 3401 and wouldn't even consider it. Most people that want to remove a wax by machine are doing it with a Porter Cable type dual action polisher with a stiff foam cutting pad and a microfiber bonnet over the pad. Looks like this, Indigo Microfiber Bonnet and a Cyan, Hydro-Tech, 5.5" Foam Cutting Pad Also, you only remove waxes that dry and it has to be a thin coat or it will just load up the face of the microfiber bonnet. Here's my article on this topic in the car world but the same would apply to the Marine world. How to use a microfiber bonnet to remove dried wax by machine At this point, I'd recommend re-machine applying the wax as a fresh coat should loosen up any previously applied coat. Allow the new coat to dry and then remove by hand using clean, microfiber towels. Remember, thin coats are easy to remove and thick coats are going to be difficult plus simply waste product.
__________________
Made by boat people for boat people... |
|
05-10-2014, 11:14 AM | #4 |
Status: Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
|
Re: Wax removal swirls
Mike,
Thanks for your response. Frankly, I read it a couple of times thinking "Mike does not understand my question" and then I read it again and the light bulb went off. It was definitely a "duh" moment. I don't know why I was thinking the wax went on by hand and the Flex was to buff it off. That, of course, is what was causing the swirls. I just did a large section of my boat using the buffer to apply the wax, working it in until it basically "disappeared" and then all I had to do was just a light "dusting off" with a microfiber towel. It looks great. I thank you and my arms definitely thank you. |
05-12-2014, 01:17 PM | #5 | |
Status: Director of Training
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 675
|
Re: Wax removal swirls
Quote:
Good to hear!
__________________
Made by boat people for boat people... |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|