Opinion on what Polishing Pads for Imron


toofast

toofast

Active member
So I've had a set a pads that always seemed to work, they were Glaze/Final Polish Pads....but now the brand I've used it out of business.

Found this site...any opinion on what "color" pad to use.

I am putting a polish only on the my dark imron hull

http://www.autogeek.net/ccs-polishing-how-to.html

I assume Grey to Red would work, but so many choices...what do the experts say ?
 
I'm no expert but these pads are good pads, I have used them before on my imron. From my understanding the rule of thumb is with imron you want to go one more level aggressive to achieve the same result as you would with gel coat. My imron always looked good so I just kept with a very mild pad and it came out perfect. Only go aggressive if you need to. I found you were better with polishing than cutting.
 
Jedd,
I have only used a wool pad on a buffer with 3M Finesse It II. I do not have any experience with foam pads except for applying wax.
Enjoy your season this year.
 
Nate said:
I'm no expert but these pads are good pads, I have used them before on my imron. From my understanding the rule of thumb is with imron you want to go one more level aggressive to achieve the same result as you would with gel coat. My imron always looked good so I just kept with a very mild pad and it came out perfect. Only go aggressive if you need to. I found you were better with polishing than cutting.
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Ok mild it is....I think I will opt for the GRAY pad for the normal 2x coats I put on in the spring...since the polish I use is not aggressive for this step I think it makes sense. Thanks!
 
GSENT said:
Jedd,
I have only used a wool pad on a buffer with 3M Finesse It II. I do not have any experience with foam pads except for applying wax.
Enjoy your season this year.
Click to expand...

Hey how are you...I've used the wool and finesse it as well when I wanted to make it perfect, right now I am just keeping her looking pretty as she is already almost perfect :)

Stay warm :cool:
 
Gray is good choice for polishing. Use the red foam for wax/ sealant. Marine 31 is a great source and lists the color to use for each type of compound, color restorer,fine cut polish , wax/sealant
 
Good timing with this subject. I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out what I should use shortly to prep the boat for the water.

Sounds like the 1st step is to polish with something like Finesse-It II Marine Glaze (with the gray pad) and the 2nd step is to wax/seal? Separate steps for best results? Thoughts on the Marine 31 Gel Coat Carnauba Wax + Sealant (w/ red pad)?

edit: when are wool pads appropriate to use?

Thanks! Sorry, don't mean to hijack your thread.
 
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Jedd,
We are now living in Ocean Springs Mississippi on the Gulf. Moved down in January. Still looking for a clean 45.
 
It all depends on the condition of the surface you are starting with. I use the wool with compound , then an orange foam pad for color restore, then white for polish followed by red with the sealant wax. When I get ambitious I will apply Collinete liquid wax last by hand , remove it by hand then buff slow with bonnet on machine. All separate steps. Combination products are good with a finish that is salready in good shape.
 
formula40pc said:
It all depends on the condition of the surface you are starting with. I use the wool with compound , then an orange foam pad for color restore, then white for polish followed by red with the sealant wax. When I get ambitious I will apply Collinete liquid wax last by hand , remove it by hand then buff slow with bonnet on machine. All separate steps. Combination products are good with a finish that is salready in good shape.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. What kind of product do you use for each step?
 
Marine 31 Products,1. Gel coat heavy-cut oxidation cleaner (if dull), 2. Gel coat gloss and color restorer, 3.Gel coat final step polish, 4. Gel coat carnuba Wax+ sealant. If surface is not bad I will use Captains one step compound and polish. I have tried a lot of products over the years and like the Marine 31 line the most
 
Marine 31 products, If in bad condition I use the gel coat heavy cut compound, if in somewhat good condition use the captains light cut and polish, 2. Gel coat gloss and color restorer, 3. Fine cut polish, 4. Carnuba wax / sealant, 5. If really ambitious hand wax with colonize paste wax removed by hand the buffed out with a soft bonnet.
 
Just be careful that Imron is slightly different process than Gel Coat....so make sure you know the surface you are working on...
 
The white is normally gel coat. The graphics and painted hulls are Dupont Chroma-Premeir with Imron clear coat. I have used the Marine 31 products on both gel coat and the clear Imron with excellent results
 
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