View Poll Results: What tools do you use to polish?
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Prepolishing step -- I use a variable speed polisher
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21 |
87.50% |
Polishing step -- I use a variable speed polisher
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19 |
79.17% |
Mirror finish step -- I use a variable speed polisher
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3 |
12.50% |
Prepolishing step -- I use a dual head orbital polisher
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1 |
4.17% |
Polishing step -- I use a dual head orbital polisher
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8 |
33.33% |
Mirror finish step -- I use a dual head orbital polisher
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17 |
70.83% |
Other (please elaborate)
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0 |
0% |
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06-09-2007, 08:20 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Massachusetts
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1964 17' Bambi II
Posts: 4,282
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What tools do you use for polishing?
I noticed there are a few different tools used for polishing and was curious about who uses what tool and when? I have started a multiple choice poll to survey this but feel free to comment in the thread to elaborate further.
The poll assumes that all plasticoat has been removed. Here is my definition of the terms used in the poll: - Pre-polishing: this step is needed for a heavily oxidized trailer
- Polishing: this step occurs after pre-polishing or if your trailer is only lightly oxidized
- Mirror finish: this step occurs after polishing to remove swirl marks
__________________
WBCCI Region One
Attitude is the only difference between ordeal and adventure
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06-09-2007, 08:30 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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I voted on 3 items:
I used both a variable speed polisher, and the cyclo for the "polishing step" and then the cyclo for the "mirror" step.
Dave
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06-09-2007, 08:37 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Massachusetts
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1964 17' Bambi II
Posts: 4,282
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We used a DeWalt 10" variable speed for the pre-polish step and are using it for most of the polishing step (as our trailer had some heavy duty scratches in the finish). We tried the cyclo on the polishing step but had trouble getting out the scratches so switched back to the variable speed polisher. We haven't started the mirror finish step yet but when we do we will use the cyclo.
I attached a copy of the polishing instructions that Steve published on his Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies! website. We pretty much follow his instructions as a guideline to what tools and what polish and when.
__________________
WBCCI Region One
Attitude is the only difference between ordeal and adventure
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06-09-2007, 09:45 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Pre Polish - Varible Speed Polisher (Milwaulkee Compounder)
Polish - Both Compounder & Cyclo (last pass after scratches are out)
Mirror - Cyclo
Pretty much follow the Perfect Polish techniques
Shari
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06-09-2007, 10:40 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
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Prepolish- Makita 9227C variable sp. polisher
Polish- Makita then Cyclo dual orbital head polisher
Mirror polish- Cyclo
Wax- Hand or Cyclo
__________________
Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
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06-09-2007, 08:22 PM
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#6
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I didn't see the choice listed. Prepolish I use a single speed grinder/buffer, they are cheap, and when I burn one up, I am out $15.99.
Polish, variable speed single head 7.5 inch grinder/buffer.
Final, hand polish.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-10-2007, 09:42 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Eureka
, California
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 697
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Harbor Freight 7" polisher for pre and polish.
Mirror will be the Cyclo (I'm taking a break!).
__________________
Tanya
"If you want something done right, do it yourself!"
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06-10-2007, 10:03 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
1957 22' Custom
1963 16' Bambi
Vacationland
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
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tools
I looked at lots of compounders and picked the Mikita variable speed polisher because of it's balance and lighter weight. I use that first with F7 and 6 bependeing on the condition of the surface.
Finally the Cyclo polisher with S compound.
MOST useful "tool" is a large hand spray bottle filled with paint thinner in one hand and lots of cotton rags in the other. Pre cleaning and post cleaning is the most important part. /this way one uses much less thinner and you can power spray out rivets and cracks of dirt and polish remainds.
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06-11-2007, 06:54 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2005 22' International CCD
Buckhorn
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,449
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A cheap low variable speed drill with a handle
A cheap buffing pad that I pull a terry bonnet over
Still using what I found in the 61 - Met-All 37 and Met-All 100 two good passes with 37 - clean with Peters old clothes and paint thinner dipped on a rag.
Do good passes with 100 - clean and heck I can see myself pretty good.
Cyclo??? if I still have arms and my eyes say give me more mirror, and my skin has not burned off by then - perhaps I may feel the urge to buy one of those too.
Just sprung for the rivet shaver - ouch but friends above say go for it.
What I would like to know is where can you get little detailing polishers for the window frames and other aluminum pieces that are not panels? That fit into a 1/2 inch chuck? Something that you just dip the end in the polish and go to town.
I have a little one that came with the dremel okay tiny one - I would like to be done in my life time
Also is there any low speed rotary small tools like the dremmel out there? 750-1000rpm or variable that will go as low as 750?
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06-11-2007, 08:59 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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I use my Foredom for all the little places. I didn't buy it for this task...but it works great. It's variable speed and has many many attachments or bits available. Since I use minefor jewelry making, that is where I am most familiar with buying the bits.
Shari
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06-12-2007, 05:33 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Massachusetts
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1964 17' Bambi II
Posts: 4,282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InsideOut
I use my Foredom for all the little places.
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It looks similar to a dremel tool -- is it?
__________________
WBCCI Region One
Attitude is the only difference between ordeal and adventure
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06-12-2007, 06:40 AM
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#12
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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After thinking about it, I think the most important tool I own for polishing my coach is my Visa card, just call the polishing guy to come out and do it for me... This is, of course, after my arms have fallen from their sockets from polishing.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-14-2007, 01:02 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Massachusetts
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1964 17' Bambi II
Posts: 4,282
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Interesting results so far...
- Pre-polishing step -- most everyone uses a variable speed polisher
- Polishing step -- more than 50% of everyone uses a variable speed polisher with some moving to a dual orbital polisher after the scratches are removed
- Mirror finish step -- most everyone uses a dual orbital polisher
__________________
WBCCI Region One
Attitude is the only difference between ordeal and adventure
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