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hard wax application



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 20th 08, 04:43 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Tuno
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Posts: 640
Default hard wax application

I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO
  #2  
Old April 20th 08, 04:54 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
John Smith
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Posts: 256
Default hard wax application

Tuno wrote:

I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to


The short answer: If you have to ask, don't do it! Those machines can do
a *lot* of damage in the hands of the unskilled.
  #3  
Old April 20th 08, 07:03 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
user
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Posts: 45
Default hard wax application

Start slow. Take your time. And stay away from edges. Do them by hand using
paste and an orbital polisher.

By the way, even though it's called "hard wax," you are not waxing. You are
applying polish to produce a mirror glaze. You will need a means of holding
the bar on end to apply the polish to the buffing pad. As on the sailplane,
go slow. Impatience will prove all the nay sayers right! As with any power
tool, there is a potential for harm, so think through what you're doing
first. If the cynics make you uncertain, just remember that M&H pays Harris
Hill juniors (high schoolers) to polish gliders with the same equipment.

Wear a mask and protect your eyes. The abrasive gets everywhere... in very
fine particles. Choose a small section of the sailplane to work to
completion so you can see how much effort is needed. Vertical fin (not the
rudder) is a good place to learn to handle the polishing wheel. I think
you'll be surprised (and very pleased) with the results. I find it handy to
have 800/1000/1500 grit sand paper at hand to work areas that are especially
rough. Wet sand, rinse, and dry before polishing.

You may want to seal your handiwork afterwards. I recommend Mother's natural
carnuba (no silicone). You don't need to slather... just a little will do
the trick.


"Tuno" wrote in message
...
I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO



  #4  
Old April 20th 08, 07:50 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Andy[_1_]
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Posts: 1,565
Default hard wax application

On Apr 20, 8:43*am, Tuno wrote:
I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO


I put my block of hard wax, and the dealer supplied buffing wheel, in
a closet in the garage and used Wx block.

Andy
  #5  
Old April 20th 08, 08:36 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 133
Default hard wax application



It is very important to seal the surface of your fiberglass glider.
Moisture does evil things to gelcoat.

Many years ago, we contacted Mother's Gold, one of the major suppliers
of automobile paste wax. It was advertised as 100% pure carnuba wax.
We bought a can. The product was very soft so it could be applied by
hand. We asked what is in their product?

Yes, the wax is pure carnuba, but there were 40% undesirable things to
make it soft. I explained what are needs are for fiberglass gliders.

Some years later, they called me to announce a new product. It is
called Mother's Gold, "Natural Formula." It has a small amount of non-
harmful softener (it is still pretty hard) but can easily be applied
by hand or machine.

We sell a lot of it to glider pilots, and as with all gliderports, we
appreciate your support.

Tom Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies
Ridge Soaring Gliderport
http://www.eglider.org
814-355-2483
  #6  
Old April 20th 08, 09:15 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Eric Greenwell
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Posts: 1,096
Default hard wax application

Tuno wrote:
I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?


Isn't this a brand new glider? My understanding is it should have plenty
of wax on it for now. Maybe check with the dealer or the factory first.

I assume you are after gel coat protection, and not a shiny glider,
since it's already very shiny. Considering the problems an improperly
used polisher can cause (damaged control surfaces, overheated skin,
etc), I suggest you find someone that knows how to do it and have them
give you a lesson, like Robert Mudd, or fly JJ out for day, learn lots,
then send him off in the morning. Hey, maybe he could give a class on
polishing and more, charge $50/head for the day, and go home smiling
with a few hundred dollars in his pocket.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org
  #7  
Old April 21st 08, 01:32 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6
Default hard wax application

On Apr 20, 8:43�am, Tuno wrote:
I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO


You need a special buffing wheel and a lot of patience. I started on
a Pegasus wing and about half way through I figured there had to be an
easier way. I tried 3M Finesse-It II and was much happier with the
application and finish. Everything that's been said is right on but
I'll add that the hard bar stuff is abrassive and designed for
finishes that are in rough shape. Since it's a cutting material you
would not want to apply it to a new glider's gel coat.

Mike
  #8  
Old April 21st 08, 03:47 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Tuno
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 640
Default hard wax application

Mike,

Finesse-It II is a polishing material. It removes surface to make it
smoother. I used it on my V2C to remove lime deposits. It's great
stuff.

Hard wax has some abrassive content but it is primarily a wax, not a
polish -- it fills in tiny holes in the surface, which polishers do
not do. This serves to protect the gelcoat from moisture, which is my
primary concern, not making it smoother. I'm trying to optimize my
speed 5 and 10 years from now, not go faster tomorrow.

I am shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that some people replying to my OP
suggest that power tools might harm my glider. Really?! Next time I'm
at the dentist, I'm going to tell him to crank that sucker by hand!

An open question is whether my glider received an application of hard
wax at the factory before they sent it out the door. (My wife's Toyota
did not.) If so, I'm not going to worry about this until the off
season. If not, I want to do what is prudent and appropriate to
protect my investment.

A8: thank you for the e-mail -- good stuff!

2NO
  #9  
Old April 21st 08, 04:00 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Steve Leonard[_2_]
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Posts: 1,076
Default hard wax application

On Apr 20, 10:43*am, Tuno wrote:

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO


I am sort of surprized that nobody else has said this, but I think
3000 RPM is WAY too fast. Try to keep it to 1200 or less. And is
what you got one of those random orbit things (junk, in my opinion) or
a pure rotating buffing wheel?

I used 3M stuff (Super Duty Rubbing Compound, followed by Finese-it
II) on a rather oxidized 18 meter ship. It had been re-finished back
in 1989 with Prestec, and put in the trailer until I bought it in
2006. It was stored near Minden. After the 3M stuff to get it shiny
again, I used Wx Seal and Wx Block. The 3M stuff and the first Wx
product was applied with my power buffer, the second Wx by hand and
everything was hand wiped after with clean white towels. Each side of
each wing took me about one hour on each product with the buffer or
hand application, and about an hour with the towels hand cleaning and
buffing afterwords. In my opinion, the wings on that 39 year old BS1
looked as good an anything new coming out of the factories. OK, they
are thick and wide compared to your 29, and a bunch heavier, but I
think they look fantastic!

Each process had its own buffing pad, and its own towels for applying
and buffing. I still have to do the fuselage.

I would agree with Andy, and get to work applying Wx Seal and Wx
Block. And, if I can ever get around to it, I have a bunch of other
planes I need to get around to polishing and sealing.

Steve Leonard
Wichita, KS
  #10  
Old April 21st 08, 05:50 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
ZZ
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 68
Default hard wax application

Tuno wrote:
I've never used hard wax before, but since the factory recommends it
on the gelcoat, I'm going to give it a try. I just have no clue how to
go about it. (My Google search results are great -- for hair removal!)

I have a Makita 0-3000rpm variable speed polisher, a brick of hard
wax, and a mandrel and other accessories I got from the dealer. Is
there a technique writeup on the web somewhere?

~ted/2NO



Ted:

I like Harly Wax. It is a moderately hard carnuba in a can. Application
by hand is moderately easy. It seems to have little if any solvents.
Twice a year does the trick. Wax it with sealing tape in place or they
won't stick after waxing. I have found it only on the internet at
www.harlywax.com. His service is excellent.

Paul
ZZ
 




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