wet sanding

[fish4life]

okay well ive heard this helps the boats gel coat?the boats a 98 but the guy obviously left it outside to weather the paint alot.the gel coat has a little white haze over it and everytime i buff it itll come back.can i wetsand this?if i can?.have any tips ,ive heard 1000 to 2000 grit?

 

[lworley]

I wet sanded my boat with 600 grit. Just sand until the surface feels smooth. My boat turned out great. Another thing you should try is cleaning the fiberglass with Penetrol. Its a paint additive in a orange and white can

 

[Bbowen]

i have heard 600-800 grit works great

 

[BulletTJ]

I would use as fine of sand paper as I could get. 1000 to 2000 grit is great. It will take longer but the results will be much better. Keep the paper wet and go slow. Once you have finished, buff with polishing compound and then a good coat of wax. Boat will look like new. Good Luck.

 

[Bubbakat]

I used 1200 on my last glass boat and did well. You have to wax it often to keep the shine up.

 

[Bass Addict]

I have done this process on several older boats and it turned out great if you take care of it. I used 1000 grit on mine with the wet sanding step, you will feel it when its smooth. Dont stay in one small area to long or you will sand all the gell coat off, it doesnt take much because the gell coat is thin. I then use a buffer with polishing compound at slow RPM's and keep it moving so I dont blister the paint. Then come back with a good Carnuba wax and put it on and take it off by hand. To up keep I use a good spray on wax that leaves no film and wipe it dry. This all takes a lot of elbo grease and you will know you have done something for sure. I hope this helps.

 

[BassVol]

I am in the process of sanding my boat this week. This is my first time and its turning out great. I have a 93 Javelin that I just did not wax like I should have. The oxidation was very severe on the top cap. I ran across a thread on Bass Boat Central about fixing gel coat. Here is a link to the thread, there is some very good info in there.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=311487

I started out with 1000 grit, then 1200 grit, then 1500, then finally 2000. I am using 3M compound, and a finishing glaze that is described in the thread. Then a good coat of a hard Carnuba wax to seal it. I am done sanding about half the boat. Its hard work. When I started I did a small section all the way through, just to see what It would look like. I am going to try and post some before and after photos for you.

 

[BassVol]

here are those photos:

 

[Bclayton]

Great before and after pics. you can really tell the defference looks like a different boat!

 

[fish4life]

Thanx guys for all your tips.i will show some before and after pic after i finish it.btw u guys know anyone who can put in carpet,or are we better off to do it by ourselves?

 

[Bbowen]

i have the same boat and im about to do the same thing those are realy good pics

 

[Triton20xHarris]

Thats looks awesome me an one of buddies are bout to the do that to his boat..

 

[BassVol]

Just put in 3 hours on it this morning and I am officially exhausted. That's hard work. I'm about 3/4 done sanding. Hey "fish4life" I'm told the most important thing to do is seal it with pro-tech when your finished

http://www.protecproducts.com/products.html

This sealer will last around 6 months compared to 3 months with good Carnuba wax. I am alosogoing to use Bass boat saver after each use. If you don't seal it, your oxidation will return worth than ever.

I will post some pictures next week when I'm done

 

[Bbowen]

thanks for the info im pretty exited about starting. that looks 100 times better

 

[Oldman]

man thats looks good,wanna do mine next?

 

[BassVol]

Oldman - 3/1/2011 5:12 PM

man thats looks good,wanna do mine next?

Thanks for the compliment , and No, It is not fun.

 

[fish4life]

Ok so i finally got done wetsanding and compounding a couple days ago.boat hasnt been waxed yet and the boat already has that new shine! emoSmile

 

[fish4life]

i still have some corners around the back to finish sanding and buffing but i got most of it including the inside,now the only white on the boat is glare.lots of work,and not fun,but its WORTH it.

 

[fish4life]

Before,then wet sanded,then compounded,no wax

 

[fish4life]

If I, a almost 15 year old =) can do it anyone can,i just used 1000 grit some water,dawn,and elbow grease