If you plan on doing the carpet as well, do the polishing first! The wax went everywhere! I'm sure I could has vacuumed or washed up the carpet, but mine needed replaced!
And that is a freaking chore!!!

I've got a 7" variable speed grinder that I got off my dad. It has a sandpaper wheel.on it .. what would I need to turn it into a boat buffing machine? Can you buy the attachment to hold the bonnet for buffing?

The carquest parts place in my small town had the 3M buffing foal pads! Then you will need the disk that has the Velcro type stuff on it!
I'm sure napa and the other parts places have them as well!

If the sand paper is held in place with Velcro stuff them you're in business! Lol
I used a small square vibrating sander with the 1000 grit sandpaper, and wet sanded the oxidation off..

Gary. In the process of completely redoing our boat. When you wet sand, does it leave a dull looking finish until you compound and wax?

^^^^This is a must.

My reccomendations for getting it right the first time...

-wet sand with 600 (Walmart)

-wet sand with 1000 (Walmart)

-wet sand with 2000 (Walmart)

-Wash area well and use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (Walmart) with orbital buffer. (Harbor Freight)

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-variable-speed-dual-action-polisher-69924.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-CompoundCutting-Foam-Pad-60311.html

-Wash area well and use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish (Walmart)

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-Polishing-Foam-Pad-60309.html

-Wash area with combination of Dawn dishwashing soap and ammonia to remove any wax.

-Rinse and dry the area then apply Pro-Tec Nu-Paint Moisturizer as instructed on the back of the bottle.

-Apply Pro-TecSealant Polish as instructed on the back of the bottle.

https://protecproducts.com/

***Call Pro-Tec and they can give you recommendations.

looks good!