Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

[dellsboater]

So I have buffed the areas that I can, now need to move on to sanding the really bad areas. Would like an electric sander vs air as my compressor is only a 5 gallon...any suggestions? Besides dust, any advantages or disadvantage of wet vs dry sanding?

Any other tips or suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

So I have buffed the areas that I can, now need to move on to sanding the really bad areas. Would like an electric sander vs air as my compressor is only a 5 gallon...any suggestions? Besides dust, any advantages or disadvantage of wet vs dry sanding?

Any other tips or suggestions?

Thanks

Flats are for power sanders (elec or air ) wet/dry is for contours(sp)

Wet sanding does not require a respo..dry does..

YD.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

I did the sanding to remove the oxidation ... and apparently I didn't sand enough, because the oxidation came right back. Someone on here recommended Vertglas. I tried it, and it worked GREAT! Had better and longer lasting results than the sanding. Just a thought ...

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

Ok went to the auto body store just now, he said get an air da, and 320 grit sandpaper to start with, then move to 600 grit, then to super duty compound, then finish compaound and last wax....sound ok?

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

I wet sanded using 1000 grit on my hull to remove oxidation. Then buffed with a compound and waxed. Night and day difference.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

I dont think Starting with 320 on a DA is a good idea.

If you wan to DA ( being Very careful ) try starting with 600. If you have velcro paper try to find an Interface pad. It will help with burnthroughs .

Good luck.

YD.

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

I was very careful and it worked very good on the white stern to remove any signs of the stickers and oxidation. I am going to try some 600 grit on the red next weekend. I also removed some scatches by hand sanding, then buffing. I noticed using the buffer on slower speeds like 22 out of 33 and some compound worked better after sanding then full speed...

 

[kmarine]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

I agree with Yacht Dr. 320 is way too agressive. start with 600 and end with 1500 grit. I do not like vertglass because I hate to remove it after it oxidises. Gelcoat sands really fast with a DA sander.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

3M buffing compound... that will minimize the amount of gel coat you will remove...
I did this last month using 3M Finesse It II:
Before:

After:

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

Nice, I thought the Finesse was a finishing compound? I also see you used a non wool pad...how long did that take? What pad are you using?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Sanding Gelcoat to remove oxidation

Nice, I thought the Finesse was a finishing compound? I also see you used a non wool pad...how long did that take? What pad are you using?

I was thinking the same thing ..

Finesse is a final polish..
Foam pad is used ( sometimes ) with final polish.

Niether one of these will remove sanding scratches

Wool bonnet and some 3m imperial ...thats the ticket m8s..

YD.