Polishing with Buffpro and Nuvite

[rv4007]

After trying various methods of polishing, I found one that works for me. I tried circular buffers, dual-action orbitals, automotive compounds, Mojo, Purple Metal Polish, Truck Box, etc.

I thought I would pass it on a video of Buffpro and Nuvite A which works well to get to the level of finish I am looking for. I am not looking for show quality, just impressive.

I will still use some of the other products for certain tasks, but the Buffpro/Nuvite seems to get the bulk of the work done quickly. For instance, I like the Mojo metal polish for hand polishing while on the road.

I am also considering purchasing a cyclo to see if it provides any additional benefit, but I am pretty satisfied with the current finish.

It is always a tradeoff between effort and finish. If I lived out west where the humidity is low, I would go for a perfect mirror finish, but I live in south Louisiana, so I think I will settle for something less as I don't want to polish everyday of my life!!

Take a look at my video on youtube to see how it works.

Polishing Airstream with Buffpro and Nuvite - YouTube

PS. I didn't show it on the video, but after I apply Nuvite to 2 or 3 sections, the drum starts to load up. At that point instead of using a rake on the drum, and wasting the Nuvite, I just mist some mineral spirits both on the next panel to be polished and on the drum which allows the Nuvite to flow out of the drum so that it is not wasted.

[CanoeStream]

Polishing for Ev'ry'Streamer -- interesting technique & excellent comments. Thanks Dennis.

[Melody Ranch]

Thanks!

[ArtWithin]

Based on your video, I bought the Buffpro and I'm using the Nuvite A and not getting any near the same results. I guess my question is what pad are you using? Mine came with the finishing pad but I see online that they have various cutting grades. I was thinking of getting the wool one but before I did, I wanted to know what you used for this demonstration.

[rv4007]

Sorry for the delay. I am using the wool pad. You will need a rake for cleaning. Jesco has one

[CA_Tallguy]

Wow, thanks for posting this and the video too. I just saw this polisher on a car tv show and immediately thought it might work well for an airstream. Came looking to see if others had used it and your post was very helpful.

Looks like these units are not cheap but the savings in effort is well worth it. The manufacturer says that this unit does not leave swirls because of the drum design. Also just to note for others, the specs say it runs up to 2500 RPM but the maker says that they usually run it at 2000 (car use on paint).

[CA_Tallguy]

Just went searching for similar products and found this company that claims to have the air powered drum buffer developed for American Airlines. Not cheap. They also have a lot of airstream related products and services.

Airmark Surfacing Tools - providing aluminum polishing, buffing wheels, air craft polish, boat polish and much more.

[Trady66]

Just viewed the video also. Has anyone got any update on the performance of the BuffPro versus using the a dewalt rotary tool? Looks fantastic from the video, but just wondering if anyone else has tried it recently on a moderately oxidized airstream? Thanks.

[hedgerocks]

I'm about to pull the trigger on buying a polisher and this looks fantastic. I have two airstreams that need to be polished buy May 1st and this looks like quite a time saver. Anybody else have any experience with the buffpro? This will be my first time polishing anything.

[CA_Tallguy]

I believe all the professional airsteam polisher folks use the drum type, however many may use the aircraft type that is air driven -- but they require a huge air compressor. So huge that they are cost prohibitive for most casual DIY folks. I didn't realize how hard it was to get an air compressor that blew a lot of air (CFM) until researching for this purpose.

[ArtWithin]

I used the buff pro and had mixed results. You have to get the right pad. I made the mistake of getting the pad that was more of a finishing pad first and then had to buy another one. The good- it does not leave the swirling pattern and it covers more area. The bad is that I haven't found it to polish as deeply as I needed. It's a great tool after you've polished to keep your polish in my opinion.

[hedgerocks]

Thanks,
Basically I'm about to make an investment in buying tools and polish for this project. (need to polish to 1967 27ft airstreams)
The Dewalt is significantly cheaper. But things start to add up. Buffpro has "the metal polishing kit" which seems to provide everything (3 types of nuvite and three different buffers). Its very tempting. I'm defiantly not looking for the "best" shine. Just an upgrade from its current state. Do you have buyers remorse? Did it save you time?

[ArtWithin]

I don't have buyers regret. I would still buy you a cheap circular buffer from Harbor Freight just in case.

[SamIam427]

Hello Dennis, I am considering the Buff Pro and saw your video. We have a 1967 Safari which had been polished previously. The shine is dulling and I was considering paying someone to re-polish it. Did you use nuvite A? And would you recommend the buff pro. I am not worried about show quality either as I live in Florida and store it outside.

thanks, Sam. 321-794-5959

[Silverflames]

Hey all, I'm just looking for a follow up with Buffpro. Has anyone tried it and well does it work? The sell a polishing kit, but it's $750 and I'm not sure if it's worth it?

[uwe]

Not worth it. I just wrote this big long reply, but the forums ate it...in short, it doesn't do as well as the circular wool pad method with Nuvite, not by a long shot.

[CA_Tallguy]

I bought a used buffpro and have VERY quickly whipped my trailer into shape. I'm not going for a show finish right now. Basically just trying to get away from the peeling clear coat look. I'm quite pleased at the speed I've been able to tackle this. I can't tell you how well it will do for the finer stages but for my purposes it has been awesome. I live at an "airstream park" and fellow airstream owners have been amazed at the progress and transformation with moderate effort. Basically I am just doing the top half of the trailer right now with the "belt line" graphics/moulding serving as a break. The clear coat and finish on the bottom is pretty good. The top had mostly peeled away and there was gradiation in oxidation from the top to the middle. The buffpro very quickly has cleaned this up and now the top of the trailer looks better than the bottom. Overall I don't think people are going to pay much attention to the bottom not being polished because I have not gone to a mirror finish on the top. I'd say it is looking kind of like your run-of-the-mill gas tanker truck on the road.

To me, it seems like this could be -- at the very least -- a very fast way to get the initial cuts done on a trailer.

[Leeelliott1]

What speed setting is recommended for Nuvite G6 with the Buffpro?

[Woodbilly]

Originally Posted by rv4007

After trying various methods of polishing, I found one that works for me. I tried circular buffers, dual-action orbitals, automotive compounds, Mojo, Purple Metal Polish, Truck Box, etc.



I thought I would pass it on a video of Buffpro and Nuvite A which works well to get to the level of finish I am looking for. I am not looking for show quality, just impressive.



I will still use some of the other products for certain tasks, but the Buffpro/Nuvite seems to get the bulk of the work done quickly. For instance, I like the Mojo metal polish for hand polishing while on the road.



I am also considering purchasing a cyclo to see if it provides any additional benefit, but I am pretty satisfied with the current finish.



It is always a tradeoff between effort and finish. If I lived out west where the humidity is low, I would go for a perfect mirror finish, but I live in south Louisiana, so I think I will settle for something less as I don't want to polish everyday of my life!!



Take a look at my video on youtube to see how it works.

PS. I didn't show it on the video, but after I apply Nuvite to 2 or 3 sections, the drum starts to load up. At that point instead of using a rake on the drum, and wasting the Nuvite, I just mist some mineral spirits both on the next panel to be polished and on the drum which allows the Nuvite to flow out of the drum so that it is not wasted.

Looks great. I’m still stripping but I’ll be trying you tip using the mineral sprits to clean up the roller when I get to the polishing with my Restorer. Not many videos of drum type rollers being used to polish Airstreams. Any particular reason for using Nuvite A? Is that better suited to drum polishers or was it better for your Alcad? Polish is pricey and experimenting could be very expensive. If I can get my Bambi looking as good as your trailer I’ll be a happy camper.