wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

[weider1717]

My 84 boat had a yellow tint that a heavy duty compound wouldn't remove...the 1000 grit 3m wet/dry sandpaper removed it without a problem tho!

but..as it sits now do I need to go over it with say a 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove the 1000 grit scratches?

or should my mequires heavy duty compound with my orbital portal cable buffer remove ALL the 1000 grit scratches?

hey i bought mequires pure wax...it's a yellowish carnuba...that won't yellow my fresh white finish will it?

 

[boat1010]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

I have never gone any finer than 1000 grit. Then I have used Maguires diamond cut with a variable speed buffer. Works very good.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

An "orbital portal cable buffer" won't do the trick... you need a good polishing machine. The 7" variable speed sander/polishers work well. Mind your speed or else you'll burn through edges/corners. Keep the polishing area moist.

I used 2000 grit before advancing to polish but it was probably overdoing it. Try polishing out a small section after your 1000grit to see if the small scratches get removed to your satisfaction.

After wetsanding, I used 3m gelcoat restorer, then 3M marine polish, then wax.

 

[weider1717]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

can i jump from 1000 grit to 2000 grit or will i ned to go to say a 1500 before the 2000?

just curious if the 2000 won't get the 1000 scratches out and i will be just getting nowhere jumping to 2000.

 

[danond]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

Get a buffer and experiment a bit. It'll answer your question. Your issue isn't so much paper grit at this point - it's whether you own and are using the correct buffer.

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

Someone may have to correct me but I think I read that 3M heavy duty cutting compound was the equivilant to 2000 grit paper.

 

[Bondo]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

can i jump from 1000 grit to 2000 grit or will i ned to go to say a 1500 before the 2000?

just curious if the 2000 won't get the 1000 scratches out and i will be just getting nowhere jumping to 2000.

Ayuh,...

Maybe you otta go to 1200 grit, to 1500 grit, to 1800 grit, to 2000 grit.....

That way there won't be anymore gelcoat left to Polish......

Gelcoat is Thicker than Paint,...
But,..
I don't think it's as Thick as you think it is.... When it's Gone,... It's Gone,...
You're lookin' at raw Fiberglass....

 

[ondarvr]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

Depending on the color and the exact type and brand of gelcoat used, you may not need to go past 600 grit to buff out all the scratches. Going to 2000 is rarely needed (I don't think I've ever needed to use it on anything), so like the others said, buff it and see what it looks like right now.

 

[weider1717]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

ok i'll try buffing first..my buffer is a portal cable 7424 which is great on paint it's not a walmart cheapo buffer it's decent so we'll see.

 

[superpop]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

If your Porter Cable is an orbital unit like mine you will not be happy with the results. It is designed for dummies and will not generate any heat, which is good when you are waxing because too many people burn their paint and or gel coat with a straight spinning polisher. The PC is an awesome unit and I use mine all the time for waxing and buffing but you need something that is going to generate a little heat. And then go at it with a healthy respect for the heat you can build up real fast. Harbor freight has one that works great for around 30 bucks and works great for what you are trying to do.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

weider,

I think you WILL be happy with the results from your PC 7424. It is variable speed machine, up to 6000 rpm and will provide a good mechanism to receive a high polish. The key now is in your choice of polish and scratch removers.

When most people mention "random orbital polish" machines, we think of those cheap 19.99 specials that have a hard time removing wax and are best described as a weak buffer at best.

Good luck.

 

[dlngr]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

I'll repeat what danond said, and add that I've never seen a random orbital 'POLISHER' that will do the job of a 'BUFFER'. They are two different animals.

 

[httrdd007]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

Here are the reflection pics on my bass boat gelcoat after using 1500 grit. I thought 2000 would be overkill and I think I was right.

The second pic is after the 3M Perfect-it rubbing compound done by hand.

You should see it with 3M polish!

 

[ddrieck]

Re: wetsanded my entire boat today with 1000 grit..question though

I bought a old 91 Izusu Trooper for my teenage son to drive and the paint was really dull and faded. I have a Millwakee 9'' variable speed grinder and thought I would give it a try on buffing the paint. Worked like a charm, just dialed it down and kept even pressure and travel speed.

I also went to an auto body paint store and purchased two different polishes; rough cut and fine cut. What ever polish you end up going with just make sure it is water base. Oil base polishes are to be used by hand and will burn when used with a buffer!!

I have also used the above method on diesel truck tanks and it make them shine like chrome. Just buffed them out, cleaned them up with a wax remover, and coated them with a laquer clear coat. They still look like chrome and it been 3 years since I buffed the tanks.