Sanding my gelcoat

[rnsi]

Hello All-<br /><br />I'm getting ready to start sanding my gelcoat this weekend, and I'm hoping for some advice.<br /><br />The gelcoat is ruined, but I'm hoping to smooth it out rather than stripping it. Was thinking of starting with a 1500 wet sand by hand, and finishing it with 2000 grit. Should I be hand sanding, or would a orbital buffer be safer. I am trying to smooth out the finish and get a shine, not remove paint, as a rotary sander would do. I would rather remove not enough, rather than too much.<br /><br />Any particluar technics? Any details or advice is appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

I presume you are doing this prier to buffing to renew the shine. I used 1000 grit and it worked fine, 1500 would reguire less buffing. I do not like orbital buffers at all, You will not burn Gelcoat with a regular buffer providing your are not a complete idiot. Paint is a different story. Use a wool pad and 3m heavy duty compound. When you are done you could finish polish with a foam pad with 3m Fines-it polish, but I didnt and my Bass Boat looks great with no swirl marks. Just follow up with a good UV protecting wax and you are good to go.

 

[rnsi]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

I'm not a complete idiot, but I sometimes play one in real life.<br /><br />I'm looking for the most gentle way of doing this before trying anything more drastic. I would rather spend more time, rather than going too fast and destroying it.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

Gel coat is thicker than you think. Not like burning thru paint on a car.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

I dont think you could destroy you gelcoat even if you let the buffer stand still for even 10-15 seconds or so. As long as you keep it moving it will be fine.

 

[salty87]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

a less drastic measure would just be rubbing compound. if that doesn't work, then you could give sanding a shot. <br /><br />got any pics?

 

[rnsi]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

Wouldn't compound be more harsh than 1500 or 2000 grit? I'd send pics, but the problem really doesn't show up. It's a very rough finish now, I can feel what seems like might be the metal flake.<br /><br />Which compound? Brand? Type?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

Rubbing compound is what I told you to use, 3m Heavy duty compound.

 

[CTD]

Re: Sanding my gelcoat

On my boat I used 400 dry on a porto cable random orib sander, then buffed with a 9 inch wool pad and 3m compound. It worked good, no scratches show. I tried wet sanding with 400 and it worked ok too but too much work. I have a solid color gel coat. If you have metalflake and can feel the metalflake you may not have any more clear coating. Try a small spot somewhere where it won't be too noticible or remove something like a lite and see what the surface looked like new.