Interlux paints less than helpful... need sand-paper advice

[D Hanny]

I've read over and over that certain abrasives should not be used on aluminum hulls to strip paint (like don't use a regular steel wheel brush, use a stainless brush-wheel) to avoid contaminating the aluminum.

Even Interlux states to use "aluminum compatible" sandpaper on their pdf sheet on refinishing boats... but they don't state which types of modern sandpaper are "compatible."

So I called their help line up to ask them, specifically, what they meant by "aluminum compatible" sandpaper - which specific types (not brands) were compatible?

The answer I got? "Oh, use 60 or 80 grit sand-paper."

The guy on the other side of the line reminded me of the general lack of professionalism and knowledge I see in many industries across the USA, but especially here in south Florida. I made the effort to convince him that grit-size is not a type, nor did it mean that the abrasive used was an abrasive that would be compatible with aluminum.

He left the phone for a bit, and came back with "Use the black stuff."

I'll tell you, fellas, if this is really what America is coming to, I want off of this train.

Again I pressed for specifics, and he said that it was really about the paper type... to which I said horse-hockey, it's about the abrasives used on the paper, not the paper itself (unless there is some really strange paper out there).

In the end he told me to start calling sand-paper companies because he really didn't have any basis for which the term "aluminum compatible sandpaper" was used on their brochures.

I am sure that someone, somewhere in Interlux, used to know something about the engineering considerations behind everything they develop products and suggestions for - but it didn't seem that way today.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Interlux paints less than helpful... need sand-paper advice

In the end he told me to start calling sand-paper companies because he really didn't have any basis for which the term "aluminum compatible sandpaper" was used on their brochures.

Ayuh,.... I donno what yer talkin' about Either.....

I go to my local Napa, 'n buy whatever grit I need for whatever sander I'm usin'....
D/A discs are sorta yellow...

Super fine full sheet paper is usually black faced white paper, aka. wet, 'n dry...

 

[R Socey]

Re: Interlux paints less than helpful... need sand-paper advice

Maybe they mean aluminum oxide sand paper.http://woodzone.com/Merchant2/articles/sandpaper/index.htm

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Interlux paints less than helpful... need sand-paper advice

I guess Interlux is old paint and this was written A LONG time ago.

I had to think long and hard, as age sets in, the memory slows, but there was/is sand paper with iron oxide in it.
Crocus and/or emery cloth/paper had iron and some other minerals...not good for use on aluminum.

Good to see someone take the time to read the directions and investigate.

If you use any sand paper sold at an auto-body supply store you should be OK.
The big box stores sell in smaller quantities which can cost more in the long run.

Also, look for sanding disc for aluminum, they're less likely to load up with aluminum grit, usually available in the gritty grades i.e. 36, 24, but harder to find in higher grades, 220, 400 etc the others are still very usable, but less cost effective.

They may no longer make the special aluminum sandpaper.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Interlux paints less than helpful... need sand-paper advice

Ill bet 10 bucks that Interlux has a little stippy on the bottom that says " For Professional use only ! " .

Its not there job to supply the info about sandpapers and/or manufactures specifications on said sandpaper.

Im sure they could have given you a little bit more info..but why ? ..

What do you want them to say ? " erm.. mr. green..yea in our best test labs when we used 3m x paper we achieved a higher end result ( or whatever ) .. can you say Law-Suit LOL..

And Im sure Interlux has been in court a few times in there elustrious career .

They allready told you to use Alum compatible abrasives..If you dont know what that is ..then you need to research ( which now your kinda doing..more like complaining about customer service ).

I dont mean to be harsh here..but If you dont want to spend 90 bucks an hour..then its Allways Your call.

Oh..PS..some products you need to be certified to be covered under warranty.

For your answer..use production paper .. its not really the paper its the Conversion/primer coatings you need to be addressing..far more then your paper...

YD.

 

[D Hanny]

Thanks guys... well, most of you.

Sure, yes, I was complaining about Interlux, and still well-deserved if they, as a company, would rather skip the market of DIY guys who want to do a better job. I'm fine with them being for pros only, if that's their take (which I doubt it is), as I will then buy someone else's product in the future.

Enough people told me to use Rustoleum that perhpas I should have listened to 'em, lol, since Interlux doesn't quite know much about the prep they require.

I will just head to an auto-body place tomorrow - thank you for the advice. It is what I meant to do in the first place, but thought "Hey, there is a help line, why don't I just call it beforehand."

Seriously, though, thanks for the help.