Dewalt 849x questions

[brandons]

Hi Mike,

I am setting up my dewalt for gel coat use. I use my flex 3401 on everything else. My plans are to use the dewalt for compounding then follow up with the flex for polish and wax or sealant. What are your recommendations for backing plate and wool pad for strictly gel coat use. Is the stock one ok on boats? I want something that will last and gold up to the heat and abuse that it will get for boats. You also mentioned boats like more aggressive pads (foam) when polishing. Should I use an orange pad to polish instead of the traditional white? Should I seal with a traditional polishing pad ?

Thank you for your insight and sharing your experience! I have learned a lot from AGO!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Mike,

I am setting up my DeWALT for gel coat use. I use my flex 3401 on everything else. My plans are to use the DeWALT for compounding then follow up with the flex for polish and wax or sealant.

What are your recommendations for backing plate and wool pad for strictly gel coat use.

Is the stock one ok on boats? I want something that will last and gold up to the heat and abuse that it will get for boats.



The backing plate and wool cutting pad that came with your DeWALT 849X will work fine for chopping on oxidized gel-coat boats. Pads wear out so if you're going to do a lot of buffing then pick up one or two spares.

Smaller pads are easier to control than larger pads so look at something in the 7" to 8" range.

8.5" Wool Cutting Pad (http://www.marine31.com/wocupad8.html)


7.5 inch Hook & Loop DuroWool 100% Twisted Wool Cutting Pad (http://www.marine31.com/75inholodu10.html)

You'll need a 6" backing plate for the smaller pads...

6 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Flexible Backing Plate (http://www.marine31.com/6-inch-rotary-plate.html)





You also mentioned boats like more aggressive pads (foam) when polishing. Should I use an orange pad to polish instead of the traditional white? Should I seal with a traditional polishing pad ?



Yes, use a more aggressive foam for the polishing step.

If you're simply applying a non-cleaning finishing wax or sealant then soft wax pads are fine. Won't hurt to use polishing pads either.

Pad choice for polishing, that is removing the holograms left by the fibers and the abrasives out of the gel coat AND leaving a glossy finish is best done with stiffer foam cutting pads.

For the Flex 3401 I'd get the Blue Hybrid 6.5" pads like I show here,

How to wetsand, cut and buff a gel-coat boat (http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147)


http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/523/How_To_Wetsand_a_Gel_Coat_Boat_035.jpg






Thank you for your insight and sharing your experience! I have learned a lot from AGO!



Thanks, I alway try my hardest....


:)

[brandons]

Thanks for the info Mike, I will include these in my next order.