How to Acid Wash & Cut N Polish Your Boat like a Pro

Preparation is Key

Before embarking on your boat polishing journey, ensure you have all the right tools and products for the job. You will need: High-quality polisher and buffing pads We like to use the Makita 9237CB with the Black Diamond Double-sided Buff Pad 200mm, Soft Bristled Broom, Microfibre Cloths, Kleen-A-Hull, N-Cut (cutting compound), Endurance wax protectant, 12.5L Wide Bucket and protective gloves and eyewear. If possible, choose a cooler area for the task. Why? Because the sun's heat can cause the polish to dry out faster, making it difficult to work with.

Step 1: Acid Wash

Before we jump into polishing, it's essential to ensure your boat's surface is pristine. Acid washing with Kleen-A-Hull, a highly recommended acid wash, removes stubborn stains and watermarks,scuff marks, and rust, preparing the boat for a gleaming polish. Remember, a clean boat equals a better polishing result.Recommend grabbing heavy-duty protective gloves and eyeware when dealing with Kleen-A-Hull and other acid wash as they are extremely harsh acids that can cause a lot of damage to skin and eyes.

To apply, wet the surface you are going to polish. apply Kleen-A-Hull by Using a bucket and soft-bristled broom, fill up bucket with Kleen-A-Hull and dip your broom in the bucket. Scrub and agitate the product with your broom that was dipped in Kleen-A-Hull Going around the whole boat twice allows time for the product to work and ensures your boat is clean. Afterwards, rinse with water until all the acid wash is off, and then dry the surface.

(If you are using a spray bottle to apply, be careful that the product doesn't spray back at you by having a safe distance.)

Step 2: N-Cut (cutting compound)

1. Choose the Right Tools: We swear by the Makita 9237CB. We have found this buffer speeds up the process, making it more efficient, and most importantly, it delivers a superior look. Couple it with our Black Diamond Double-sided Buff pad 200mm, and you've got yourself the perfect duo!

2. The Art of Applying Products: This is where most beginners go wrong. Remember, less is more. Add a small amount of the N-Cut cutting compound to the pad. You’re not icing a cake; moderation is key. The whole bottle of N-cut should easily cover your whole boat if you are doing it right.

3. Rub it In: Before you even think about turning that buffer on, rub the product into the surface. Ensure you've got an even distribution. Don’t attempt to polish your entire boat in one go. Break it down. Work in small areas, ideally shoulder-to-shoulder sizes. This ensures better product usage and also saves you time. Think of it as giving attention to every inch of your boat.

4. Time to Buff: Start your buffer on the slowest setting. Here's the golden nugget of advice - let the product do its magic. As you see the shine coming through, gradually increase the speed. Remember, patience is a virtue. Going too quickly can burn the gel coat or the product, and we don’t want that.

5. Finish with microfiber cloth: After you have finished the cutting phase of a section, before moving on, wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to give it a streak-free finish and enhance it's shine. Remember to not move on to the waxing stage until you have finished the cutting phase on your entire boat and finished off each section with a microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Endurance Wax Protectant:

1. Repeat with endurance wax: 
   After you have completed step 2 of the cutting phase, just flip over the buffing pad if you are using the double-sided buffing pad or change the buffing pad over as you don't want to mix the Endurance Protectant Wax product with the cutting product. Once you have done that, just repeat the steps as you did with the cutting phase, this time using wax.

2. Importance of using endurance wax:
   Now, all the cutting polishes on the market are only going to give you that shine for 2 or 3 months. This is why it's necessary to wax it. If you want this to last between anti-fouling, you need to put wax on top.
   If you have ever had your boat detailed and polished, a lot of people will just cut and polish. It will look great you are happy; if you put it back into the water 2-3 months later, it'll look as sad as it did when it came out. Now, thats either because they haven't put on enough polish or wax

Pro Tips & Warnings

• Patience is key. Take your time, especially during the polishing process.
• Don’t burn the gel coat or product by rushing. It's a marathon, not a sprint!
• Work in cooler areas if possible, it aids the process.
• A clean buffing pad makes a world of difference. Maintain it well!
• Quality matters. From polish to equipment, the best tools yield the best results.

In Conclusion

Restoring your boat's gleam isn't just a task; it's an experience, a connection between you and your vessel. It's about reclaiming its beauty and taking pride in the results. So, go on, roll up those sleeves, and give your boat the pampering it deserves.