+Gelcoat Refinishing

[jackswhaler]

I'm restoring a 1972 MFG. The Boat needed new exterior Gelcoat, so sanded the boat down with 80 Grit and applied 2 heavy coats of Fiberglass Coating (FGCI) Exterior Brushable Gelcoat on the sides and bottom. turned out very well accept for the excessive orange peel. I started out with 3M P800 but having a hard time getting rid of the orange peel. should I start with some 400 or 600 then the 800 and then heavy cutting compound? any help or advise would be greatly apreaciated

 

[Scott Danforth]

start with 180, then 220 then 320, then 400, then 800, then aquabuff 2000 (available from FGCI) and then 3M finess it.

I would have sprayed the gel with the duratec additive to minimize the orange peel. however the FGCI brush-able stuff has its place.

 

[jackswhaler]

thanks for the reply, you are absolutely correct on Spraying, I tried spraying the bottom but me and the paint gun didn't get alone spraying upside down. What spray gun and spray tip would you have used to spray the bottom of the boat with it. it isn't to late to spray it if I will get a better job out of it.