Gel Coat Prep

Michelle
I have 5 gallons of white that I would have to tint slightly darker to remain original. Currently I am only doing the deck as my hull is good. If I went 'yucky tan" then I would want to do the whole boat but that would put the project off until the fall as I'm finishing up a car trailer and have a bug under resto plus a move during the summer.The truth is I'm probably dragging my feet because I want to see your boat done and I'm sure that will sell me on a complete.
I wonder how they get a whole hull sprayed before it jells- maybe air tight- I need to do some research. Thanks for keeping all the fans up-to-date on your project.

h20loo wrote: I wonder how they get a whole hull sprayed before it jells- maybe air tight- I need to do some research. Thanks for keeping all the fans up-to-date on your project.

Doug,after looking up the gun Michelle used, I found this one
http://stores.infinityfrp.com/-strse-119/Gelcoat-spray-cup-gun/Detail.bok
They mix after it leaves the gun not before

Michelle,I have retained almost none of my fiberglass experence of 35 yrs ago when I put back on a front fender on my dune buggy that was removed by another car. I do think tho since that particular gun mixes outside of it,you would not an issue with cloging. The other advantage is that you could stop and not worry about it setting up. Thats all past you now and it's looking good. I am sitting here laughing with you on the compressor hose,it's always something.I painted almost my whole trailer forgetting to turn mine on.

TRBenj wrote: Are you glad that you stuck with the yucatan now?

Yes, Tim. I am very glad. To think I really disliked it, huh?

Thanks, Sean. Please find out the product name if you can. Every post on the site regarding buffing states 3M products. That's what I was planning on using.
Chelle'

Pete,
Would I be able to find these at an auto body shop or do you think I would have to order?
Chelle'

for some strange reason you guy's like to work hard at things and keep testing different products and rate them....well all the testing is done, I always go to the source when doing something, someone thats been doing it for years, made the mistakes, doesnt want to work as hard as he used too....
Meguiars 85 diamond cut coumpound 2.0

I use it on boats and it cuts quick chemically, and a splash of dawn in the wet sand bucket also helps

Still sanding.

I picked up 3M compound(s) and Collinite. Busy holiday/function week this week and am looking forward to being able to work in the garage.

Pete, should I wear rubber boots when I plug the electric sander in to wet sand with?

Chelle'

Paul,

I'm going to be a sanding/buffing pro by the time I'm done with the fleet.

What surprised me was the price of the compound.

A beer and boat talk sounds great! I'll have to get the clearance and schedule.

I bet you're like us, ready way before it's time to put the boat(s) in!

My son just joined civil air patrol last night. He can't wait to get those BDU's and "blues"!

Michelle

Air compressor just isn't cutting it right now. So, I will use the "Pete" method. I can't wait to start on the compound, but there's quite a bit more sanding to do.
Chelle'

Michelle, that Extra Cut is probably be the closest to the SD that you'll find, so it should work OK. Looks like it will remove 1000-1200 grit scratches, where the SD says it will do 1000. Sounds like what youve got will be just a touch less aggressive.

I would still do the Imperial Microfinishing compound after the EC, followed by Finesse-It II. Id do at least 2 rounds of both the EC and Finesse-It. 1 round of the Imperial should be enough.

sanity wrote: Air compressor just isn't cutting it right now. So, I will use the "Pete" method.

It takes a pretty decent air compressor to run a air DA sander especially if you don't want to sand for 1 minute and wait 3 for the air to build back up. I gave up on my DA at home because I didn't want to rewire my shop. We are talking about a 5 HP compressor and this is NOT the BS HP you are finding on compressors these days. These "homeowner" compressors are being rated at "peak" HP which really is meaningless unless you are trying to pull one over on the general public. (that's what they are doing!!) You must go by the CFM delivered at the pressure you need and compare that to the air tool you are using. I just went through this not long ago with one of our members. He was using his DA lots and decided to get a new compressor (just the compressor - he used his old motor and tank) The side of the compressor had the 6.5 BS HP on it so he bought a compressor rated for 5 HP. It was too much for the motor. Asking him what the nameplate amps on the motor was, it really turned out to be just less than 3 HP!! You can't get more HP out of a given amp of electricity before you have a motor meltdown!

Just be careful if your out looking at compressors and don't be fooled by the BS peak HP's.

Michell,
It sure doesn't take very long for you to get a process down to being correct! You always do your "homework" first but most important it never takes long for you to grasp a idea. We all have seen many people come on site without that quality!

Are these the "screens" you are talking about? Abranet disc They are offered by the same people as the Abralon I linked too previously but not in the finer grits. My being a woodworker I frequent Woodworkers Suppy more than I get over to the auto supply for the 3M sanding products!

Star board side and then hand sanding.

Hi Bruce,

Thank you. I know what you mean about the busy. I keep hoping the weather will cooperate, but we are in for 3 more days of rain. Good news is that the garden is tilled and the grass is mowed.

Yes. And I owe the good doctor a phone call. I missed his on Saturday. Lunch break.

Michelle