advice for newbie re: buffpro and nuvite

[cjoymccalla]

I am looking at buying the buffpro metal polishing kit for $765 but, lawsey, that's high dollar! I am a single mom and my nephew and I are attempting to clean and polish a 1993 21 foot Sovereign that I just bought and am renovating. Thoughts on ordering the entire kit with the products and pads?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Joy


Metal Polishing Kit
$765.00

Includes:

• BuffPro Model JF180 Axial Polisher
• Polishing Wool Pad
• SLW Finishing Pad
• Heavy Cutting Wool Pad
• Nuvite NuShine II – Grade F9 Heavy Cutting Compound
• Nuvite NuShine II – Grade C Medium Polishing Compound
• Nuvite NuShine II – Grade S Finishing Compound

[Bubba L]

I’ve never used an axial drum polisher. A lot of people use the Dewalt DWP849. We used that for both our trailers. You could read up on it and see what you think. It’s under $200.00. The wool pads and Nuvite are priced reasonably. I like the Dewalt because I can turn it sideways and polish around the perimeter of things like windows. The wool pads do wear out over time. Also, I mark which Nuvite that pad is used with on the back. Until they’re washed, you have to stick with the same grade of polish for each pad so you don’t have Nuvite 9 on the pad when you’re using C. Good luck

[Bubba L]

Forgot, Airstream had a controlled mill finish on the exterior skin. I don’t know if that will polish to a mirror finish without stripping the clear coat.

[Gene]

To get to the bare metal you will have to strip the clear coat and I believe they used clear coat in '93. If the clear coat cannot be saved, you have a lot of work ahead of you. If it were me, I'd finish renovations before even thinking about exterior finish. By then, you may not want to do more work.

[cjoymccalla]

thanks for the advice!

[Starlight Mike]

Some good advice above. Figure out the clear coat situation first and continue to get more advice from some knowledgeable people. Polishing older AS's can be a huge undertaking. Start lifting weights now.