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Old 11-28-2014, 08:34 AM   #1
The Sign Lady
 
1969 23' Safari
1974 Argosy 22
1964 24' Tradewind
Victoria , British Columbia
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Posts: 677
Which polisher, with what options would you want for Christmas

Alright, I am looking to buy my guy a Christmas gift that I totally know is for my own benefit, so give it to me. ..what would you want? And where would you buy it from?
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Old 11-28-2014, 09:19 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
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1964 17' Bambi II
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Schererville , Indiana
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I'd buy him TWO polishers. The first one is so cheap, it hardly counts. It's the variable speed polisher from Harbor Freight. I used this polisher to do three Airstreams-- a 27', a 31', and a 17'. I bought the warranty & had to replace it once, but at about $30 on sale, it's not a big deal.
The second one I would buy is a Cyclo Polisher. Your finish won't be like a mirror without using this polisher as a last step. They can be found on the internet at places like Vintage Trailer Supply and Amazon. They run about $200 if I recall correctly.
Merry Christmas!
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Old 11-28-2014, 11:21 AM   #3
The Sign Lady
 
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Why two? Would the Cyclo alone not work? I have seen a variable speed cyclo polisher out there, are those over rated?
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Old 11-28-2014, 12:09 PM   #4
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the Cyclo is not capable of compounding the surface. This is the first step to polishing. You can use ToolBox polish by Diamondbrite with a Cyclo and get a good shine but not a mirror type finish with that alone.
Once it is compounded the Cyclo gets out the small scratches and marks that are left.
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Old 11-28-2014, 12:50 PM   #5
The Sign Lady
 
1969 23' Safari
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Ooh, that makes sense now, thank you for explaining. Wow Becky and Alan both of your avatars show nice shiny trailers so guess you have some practice at this, should I be looking at the variable speed Cyclo for the finishing round or no... and the Cyclo site mentions all sorts of configuration options that I completely don't understand with different coloured weighted inserts. What did you two purchase?
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Old 11-28-2014, 01:49 PM   #6
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1964 17' Bambi II
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I'm not aware of a variable speed Cyclo. I don't think one exists, but I could be wrong! You don't need it if it does exist. This is a link to Vintage Trailer Supply's site that carries them. Cyclo PolisherCyclo Polisher

I used just the polisher with t-shirt material wrapped around it that I got from the Perfect Polish website Metal Polishing Equipment : Auto Detailing Supplies : Electric Car Polishers : Airplane Polish : Auto Polisher : Aluminum : Polishers and Buffers : PerfectPolish.com

I used the Nuvite process for compounding & finished with the Nuvite S & the Cyclo. There are several different approaches to polishing, which are very thoroughly covered in the forums. Some people have tried to do the whole polish with a Cyclo, but IMHO it would take forever to do it that way!
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Old 11-28-2014, 03:02 PM   #7
The Sign Lady
 
1969 23' Safari
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I think it is pretty new, this is what I cut and pasted from the cyclo site. Its all the can be pre-configured stuff that has me confused..

The Cyclo Toolmakers Model 5-Pro Polisher is 110 volt machine featuring a new solid state variable speed controller, three year warranty and complete Vibration Elimination System&trade set-up. The Model 5-Pro Series Polisher is designated for use in North America and countries that supply 110 V a.c. power.

Cyclo Toolmakers Model 5-Pro Polisher Configurations
Cyclo Toolmakers Model 5-ProPolishers may be ordered pre-configured with one of Cyclo's backing plate or scrub brush alternatives detailed below. Unlike other polishers that are sold with only a standard backing plate.

80-012/C-RPH, Model 5-Pro Rubber Pad Holder Polisher:
Cyclo Model 5-Pro Series Polisher with Rubber Pad Holders, Head Assemblies, VES Yellow, Silver and Blue Weighted Inserts, L Hex-Key Wrench, Flat Wrench.
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Old 11-28-2014, 03:29 PM   #8
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1964 17' Bambi II
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Well, I learned something new! I really don't think the variable speed is necessary in the Cyclo. It IS necessary in the compounding steps. The final polish that you use the cyclo for is just removing very, very fine scratches (from all the compounding steps). I can't say from first-hand experience on the variable speed Cyclo, tho.....
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Old 11-29-2014, 06:49 PM   #9
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My option would be for a pro polisher to do it!

Actually several folks at the vintage trailer rallies with very nicely polished trailers - read NO swirls ever - have used & recommended the services at the truck stops who polish those big tanker trucks you see on the road. I've never seen any swirls on them, but they use very large wheels on edge - rather than the Dual Action (DA) or double DA of the Cyclops unit.

Their polishing materials & techniques also seem to last far longer than the Cyclops & polishes they recco, up to 1.5-2+ years & still look great, & they're easier for the owner to keep up!

And they don't charge the $100-200+ per ft of trailer (including A-frame) that the TT polishers charge!

I think the reason their technique works as well - if not better - than the DA/Cyclops technique - is that they keep all of the buffer action in one linear direction due to using the edge of a 36" diameter or so buffing wheel (rather than round-n-round with or without DA & random orbiting), usually vertical on TT & tankers I think.

From my experience in Porsche club (PCA) concours car shows, what we teach the entrants for polishing & waxing & detailing/finishing their cars, is to keep all of their action linear & to the length of the car - in order to control the reflections to not pick up those round motions & fool the sunlight - or at least we judges' vision of it when judging!

Anyhoo - if I were the hubby in for this "selfless gift" - a pro polishing of this type would be more welcome .... unless you're the type who appreciates a washer & dryer or the like for gifts!?

I know, I know ... this is heresy amongst the shiney trailer crowd, but there is actually a similar difference of opinion in the shiny airplane crowd where the Cyclops "sells" itself, with this on-edge wheel buffer polishing technique, as well as with TTs.
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