Buffers

Jean W

Junior Ranger
Donating Member
Decided to start Walberizing the TD today. Purchased a 6 inch Ryobi buffer because I liked the size.

Used the "wolly" pad which eventually became saturted and would no longer stay on the buffer.

Switched to a new wolly pad, which would not stay on either. It is a wolly pad designed for a 4 to 7 inch buffer. The tie on strings first became stuck in some internal rotating componet and slowed down. Unwound the strings, retied, but then the pad won't stay on.

The wolly pad that came with the Ryobi has strings also.

Do the pads have a tendancy to walk off when saturated, or what else is happening.

First attempt markably improved the appearance, wonder how much of the residue will be removed using the paper towel method as outlined on the Camp Inn site.

Thanks for your imput.
 
Jean,
I have a 6" and 10" buffer. I use the 6" most of the time to clean the camper. I have switched to Woody Wax but have used Walbernize a couple of times. The covers for my buffers have elastic to hold in place. They tend to stay in place, even when wet. I found a couple of soft cotton towels that I was allowed to cut up. I cut these in squares and put the buffer on these as you would paper towels. I found this to work very well. After I am finished, I put them in the washer and have them ready for the next time.
The Woody Wax is spayed on. The Walbernize I have used was thin enough to spray. That may be a thought to avoid the heavy pad from dipping in Walbernize.
Hope this helps,
Steve
 
Steve,

WHere do you find the elastacized buffing pads?

Oh, boy onto the dsicussion of Walberize and Woody.

I don't know enough about either product to make a decision. Does the Woody clean like Walberize?

How do you eliminate stains?
GUessing you wash with gentle soap and water, then Woody?

Jean
 
Jean, There is a polish out by Woody. It is called Ultra Gloss. This really cleans down to the metal. When I first tried it, I was worried. It looked like a mirror finish compared to the rest of the camper. After I treated the entire camper, it looked very good. I then treated it with the wax. I have read about a test being done by Dave. You might want to wait for his results before you take your camper down to raw metal. That is what the Ultra Gloss will do. Just a thought.
The pads were from Wal-Mart. The buffers came from there too.
Steve
 
Steve, I'm really interested in what the Ultra Gloss did. Is it as shiny as new? More? Easier to use than Walbernize? If you could post a pic of your tear I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Hilditch
 
Finally found good buffing pads at Sears, thanks to a recommendation from NAPA, who was out.

Buffing greatly improved with good pads. Back to applying Walberize. My jug is very liquid, found out that the product can really spatter everywhere when the buffing pad is dipped into a pie pan with Walberize!

I apply with a rag, then use buffer, polish and polish. Eventually the Walberize disppears into where? Then reapplied more solution until achieve desired level of "Cleaness"

Remove buffing pad, to begin polishing process using blue shop towels. Trial and error learning process, finally learned the residue is basically completely removed after using 3 to 4 towels. (Use both sides).

Appearance has greatly improved on the back quarter panel this weekend. Lots of work, but have learned so much. Certaily hope the remaining tear goes much faster then experienced so far.

What I don't know is what is realistic to expect many of the white spots to be removed. Recall Cary stating he didn't expect the white spots to completely disappear.

Now for a few questions:

Squeezed a lot of Walberize out of the buffing pad, the
"drippings" are silver colored, are the drippings OK to use?

When should I reaply more solution to a section?
When appears to be gone, or sooner?

When the tear is finally done, when does a person wash the tear?
What does soap and water do to the completely Walberized tear?

Jean
 
Wow, this sounds like a very labor intensive project/ process.

My question is if one never "Walbernizes, or polishes" what is the ultimate out come? Is there damage to the skin?
 
It is a lot of work because I had no experience buffing anything, no buffer.

I think this used tear was never been walverized or waxed. The only reason I am cleaning the tear is to hopefully greatly decrease the white spots on the skin. Othewise, forget it.

After this step is complete, what will I do? Who knows.

My opinion, normal washing will leave the oxidized finish. Nothing wrong with that either. Comes down to what is the look a person desires. I just want to get rid of most of the white spots.

Jean
 
Hilditch, I don't have pix of the Ultra Gloss. Here is what I do know. The aluminum used in the center section of our camper is different than the sides. The vendor that sells CI the formed pieces has a more brilliant finish. I think the same aluminum is now being used through out each unit.
When I decided to use the Ultra Gloss it took the metal very close to new. If a fellow was to work it over it would go beyond new. I actually did this to one of the doors on the front storage. It shines brightest of any part of the camper. I have a spot below the doors where sweaty legs had really got into the metal. I decided to buff it until the corrosion was gone. You likely would never notice, but it is very smooth and very shiny. The Ultra Gloss is very easy to use. It goes on easy and with light work it does well. I did it once and have used Woody Wax since to hold the finish. The wax actually dulled the finish but made it consistent. The Ultra Gloss was suggested by Woody to get the metal ready for the wax. Hope this helps.
Steve
 
Talked with Cary today concerning questions I posed on forum. He validated that I am applying Walberize correctly! Whew, still a lot of work on this tear that has never been Walberized. So far have completed the curbside side. Drastically improves appearance, sides feel like wax.
 
Another question:

To Walberize the top of the tear, what do you do? Do you sit on the roof, is the roof strong enough to support a person?

I have a step ladder to use, stand and lean.

Jean
 
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