Wanting to purchase a nice Orbital buffer for use on the Ollie gelcoat.

[Jim_Oker]

8 minutes ago, Patriot said:

For now I am going to stick with what works and really works well.

Yeah, if I hadn't had a pretty significant rehab job to do, I think I would have leaned more toward a device like the one you got. As you note, the trick is to keep up with the washing and waxing so you avoid needing to buff out oxidation in the first place! I learned my lesson with the van; of course now that I'm retired I'm less prone to let that sort of job go for years on end 🙂

 

[rideandfly]

On 6/10/2022 at 11:57 AM, jim sroka said:

Having answered that question hundreds of times to people I delivered boats to over 20 years, I always said buy the one offered by Shur Hold marine products,

They are light, do a great job for the weekend buffer.

 

On 6/10/2022 at 1:52 PM, SeaDawg said:

Your shiny new Oliver is not the place to learn how to use an orbital polisher, imo. Practice on something else, first. Learn how to handle the speeds and products. Just a cautionary advice. 

 

I've been turning wrenches over 50 years, but never learned about vehicle detailing with a powered polisher. Purchased the Shurhold 3100 Dual Action Polisher. Also purchased their pads that work with this polisher. They have videos on Youtube showing how to compound, wax, and how to clean & reuse their pads.

https://shurhold.com/products/worlds-best-dual-action-polisher

Like Seadawg recommended, the first project was our 2003 Tacoma that we purchased new and has spent most of it's life outside in the Carolina sun. Just finished compounding and waxing the Tacoma. The Shurhold polisher works great for compounding and waxing jobs for the weekend warrior. The Tacoma looks so good, going to put new wheels on it.

Going to wax our 2022 Tundra next! Then compound and wax Ollie.

Glad Patriot started this thread and appreciate the information from everyone!

https://shurhold.com/

 

[rideandfly]

Waxed the Tundra with the new polisher yesterday, beautiful finish! 👍

Next Ollie jobs, compounding & waxing Ollie and repacking wheel bearings. Next camping trip planned in July!🙂

 

[topgun2]

53 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Waxed the Tundra with the new polisher yesterday, beautiful finish! 👍

What's that old story - if I don't see it then it never happened.😇

[Patriot]

1 hour ago, rideandfly said:

Waxed the Tundra with the new polisher yesterday, beautiful finish! 👍

Next Ollie jobs, compounding & waxing Ollie and repacking wheel bearings. Next camping trip planned in July!🙂

 

Would like to see photos of your work Bill! I bet it looks amazing! 

[rideandfly]

It's cloudy here today, but here's the best I can capture with a smartphone:

 

 

[topgun2]

Nice!

Just goes to show that with the right polisher - even a Tundra can be made to look good! 😇- (I'm just kidding folks in case there was any doubt).

Thanks for the pic, Bill

Bill

[rideandfly]

Shurhold said their Wax and Buff Magic (compound) is for Auto and Marine use. Already had plenty of Meguiar's Flagship wax and One Step compound on the shelf, decided to finish using the Meguiar's products before moving to Shurhold products. Last time I visited Oliver a few years ago, one of the guys on the floor said they use Buff Magic after taking Ollies out of the mold.

Only used wax on the Tundra, no compound.

[Patriot]

35 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

It's cloudy here today, but here's the best I can capture with a smartphone:

 

 

Looks great Bill, nice work!

[Patriot]

16 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Shurhold said their Wax and Buff Magic (compound) is for Auto and Marine use. Already had plenty of Meguiar's Flagship wax and One Step compound on the shelf, decided to finish using the Meguiar's products before moving to Shurhold products. Last time I visited Oliver a few years ago, one of the guys on the floor said they use Buff Magic before waxing new Ollies.

Only used wax on the Tundra, no compound.

I really like the Meguiars products and the one step 67 really removed the mild oxidation we had on our Ollie with very little effort. 👍🏻

[rideandfly]

3 hours ago, Patriot said:

I really like the Meguiars products and the one step 67 really removed the mild oxidation we had on our Ollie with very little effort. 👍🏻

I do too, great products!

Wanted to try Shurhold's products with their complete system, will see how it works.

[Geronimo John]

Liked your post.  I'm also a Meguiar's guy. Our Ollie sees 3 to 4 months of summer hot sun a year.  Other months are in a dark barn covered.  Some questions:

I wax Ollie once a year.  Is that adequate?

I have a Rupes LHR15ES Random Action Buffer.  Have not used it on Ollie.  Do you use yours routinely on our OE2's?

Will be using the 67 one step as you in a season or two.  What buffing pads do your recommend using for the 67 one step to "Buff" it out with your polisher.  

Thanks

GJ

[Patriot]

@rideandfly

Bill,
A pretty neat video which contains useful polishing steps by the fellas at CGI. I may add another larger buffer to my arsenal.

Nothing like a clean and polished up Ollie!

 

 

Edited April 16 by Patriot
Info added.

[rideandfly]

Impressive video! Really like his three step process, results, and gloss meter.

 

[topgun2]

4 minutes ago, rideandfly said:

Really like his three step process, results, and gloss meter.

I'd bet that the guys from CGI will be at the Rally again this year.

I'd also bet that they would be more than happy to bring their gloss meter to your Ollie and give you some gloss readings.

Bill

[Patriot]

23 hours ago, rideandfly said:

Impressive video! Really like his three step process, results, and gloss meter.

 

Yes, agree on the three step process Bill. I also appreciate the info on the products they are use. Keeping our Oliver under cover when not in use  is a huge help in delaying the oxidation process. 
 

 

Edited April 17 by Patriot

[Mike and Carol]

Our storage is under cover, so the only time we’re exposed to the sun is while camping.  When CGI did our trailer they noted that it was not oxidized very much for a 7 year old (at the time) trailer.  Covering definitely helps.  Mike

[rideandfly]

During a service visit to Oliver a couple years ago, talked to one of their detail guys and he gave me a sample of their buffing compound, at that time they were using Buff Magic, a Shurhold product. Tried it out on Ollie's roof last fall with good results before waxing. Still using Surhold orbital buffer (weekend warrior equipped) 🙂  and started using their compound/wax products last fall.

Gloss meter could go in the same drawer with my digital thermometer. 🙂

Gloss Meter:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gloss+meter&crid=23MK7D73P1HXV&sprefix=gloss+meter%2Caps%2C117&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Buff Magic:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=buff+magic+compound+marine&crid=1DS30K3AQJJBI&sprefix=magic+buff%2Caps%2C103&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_10

Edited April 16 by rideandfly

[Ronbrink]

On 4/16/2024 at 4:15 AM, Patriot said:

Nothing like a clean and polished up Ollie!

In watching the video, I assume they do all three stages in each 24”x24” area before moving on to the next adjacent work area. Is that how you see it or was this done only to demonstrate the process? Conversely, I’ve been completing each stage separately which isn’t nearly as efficient with regards to time and effort. 

[Patriot]

32 minutes ago, Ronbrink said:

In watching the video, I assume they do all three stages in each 24”x24” area before moving on to the next adjacent work area. Is that how you see it or was this done only to demonstrate the process? Conversely, I’ve been completing each stage separately which isn’t nearly as efficient with regards to time and effort. 

I actually spoke with the CGI crew at the 2022 Oliver Rally. I think the 24x24” area in the video was likely for demo and side by side comparison photo purposes. The actual application maybe a little larger area. 

I agree with you it is a time bandit flying solo. I bet your Ollie will look great when you finish.👍🏻 

Edited April 17 by Patriot

[CRM]

1 hour ago, Ronbrink said:

Conversely, I’ve been completing each stage separately which isn’t nearly as efficient with regards to time and effort. 

That's exactly the way you should be doing it, especially if working alone. Seems like you're not getting anywhere sometimes, but it is still more efficient doing each step to completion.

[Ronbrink]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

I actually spoke with the CGI crew at the 2022 Oliver Rally. I think the 24x24” area in the video was likely for demo and side by side comparison photo purposes. The actual application maybe a little larger area. 

I agree with you it is a time bandit flying solo. I bet your Ollie will look great when you finish.👍🏻 

I made the chore of ‘upper’ washing and hull maintenance much easier and safer by modifying a scaffold. Next go when the gelcoat needs love, I will work in 24”x24” increments within the area of reach for the various stages required to complete the polishing and waxing process from each positioning of the scaffold. Generally two per side and one each end, roof to top of windows. Once around then down on ground for the ‘lower’ reaches. Hopefully this will save a lot of time and energy!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

A bit late to the party… I have and will be using a Porter Cable random orbital polisher from the CDory days.   

[Ronbrink]

I have a Griot’s Garage G9 random orbital polisher with the optional 25’ quick-connect power cord, correcting foam pad set and waxing pads. I use the Meguiar’s 67 One Step Compound and Flagship Premium Marine Wax that @Patriot and @rideandfly previously highlighted.

Edited April 23 by Ronbrink

[jd1923]

I already had this feeling, but you have all thoroughly convinced me that there is no way in the world I will ever polish our Oliver! I'd rather install new leaf springs, a new fridge, new A/C, add lithium and upgraded charger/inverter, and rework the furnace ducting than buff the Oliver in 2x2' increments, three times over! This detailing sounds like prison life working a rock pile. Save money on that buffer.

For now, our Oliver stays oxidized. The upper front is/was pasty flat when we purchased it used last summer. When we get home from our next trip (leaving Sunday for 3 weeks) I will pressure-wash it quickly upon return and cover it for the summer.

After Labor Day, I'll look for a local detailer. If we were any reasonable distance from CGI, I would make an appointment there for sure. I already contacted a Phoenix based ceramic coating chain. They advised me that they would not work on our Oliver due to its age and oxidation. They prefer to quickly coat new paint on new vehicles only. I need to find a company like CGI in the SW.