Wet sanding gurus I need a little help

[Rude520]

Ok I have started wet sanding my boat with 2000 grit. I thought I read somewhere that should sand until there is no more white in the water coming from the sanded areas???? Is this true??? Also should tell you I am doing this in my garage with a bucket and spray bottle.

I also did not think it was as bad as it is. However I am noticing I can almost consistently get white but it does eventually go away. I am going through alot of paper. I think I need to step to 1500 first and then to 2000?!?!?!

What do you gentleman think???

Its an 89 Stratos with flake if that matters

[theBaitBar]

A few years back I wet sanded a ski boat I had. I started with a heavier grit and worked to 2000 then buffed. Depending on the amount of oxidation I would start near 1000 grit.

[Jim285pro]

Im currently doing mine. Started with 1000 then went to 2000. 2000 is pretty fine paper.

[Rude520]

The one spot where I sanded and sanded and sanded until it was clear looks INCREDIBLE. I just want to make sure I am doing this right. I dont want to step down if not needed but I think I do. Just seems like I can never get the water clear. I am thinking possible 1200 or 1500. Anything lower scares me!!!

[Jim285pro]

1500 isnt rough. 1000 really isnt that bad as far as rough. Dont expect the water to get really clear while sanding. Mine cleared up a little but not much and I have sanded enough. Just because its clearcloat doesnt mean its gonna be a clear residue that comes off.

[Rude520]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Jim285pro &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">1500 isnt rough. 1000 really isnt that bad as far as rough. Dont expect the water to get really clear while sanding. Mine cleared up a little but not much and I have sanded enough. Just because its clearcloat doesnt mean its gonna be a clear residue that comes off.</td></tr></table>

Yeah I understand that. I think Basscat7 or someone posted if the water is milky then you are still getting oxidation off. Thanks for the help. Gel wasn't bad (so I thought ) I just dont want to screw it up!!!

Thanks again sir

[schinkr1]

2000 is like paper. I would start with 1000 first, otherwise you will be sanding forever. Wrap the paper in a sanding sponge, be careful around edges...you might be surprised how fast you can cut through them. I wouldn't sand until the waters clear or you'll be down to nothing..lol. It might help to use a rubber squeegee to clean off the milky water. Once you squeegee off the water and it looks nice and smooth, you are good to go. I would think 1500 would be good enough for the final sanding as your buffing compound should take out anything finer than that.

[Rude520]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by schinkr1 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">2000 is like paper. I would start with 1000 first, otherwise you will be sanding forever. Wrap the paper in a sanding sponge, be careful around edges...you might be surprised how fast you can cut through them. I wouldn't sand until the waters clear or you'll be down to nothing..lol. It might help to use a rubber squeegee to clean off the milky water. Once you squeegee off the water and it looks nice and smooth, you are good to go. I would think 1500 would be good enough for the final sanding as your buffing compound should take out anything finer than that.</td></tr></table>

Thanks!!!

Curious as to what the white substance I am still getting is??? A byproduct of the gel maybe??

[Dando]

2000 grit!!?? YIKES!! I've never loved anything enough for that kinda punishment.
I buff after 1500.
I use a hard rubber pad 1000 then 1500 then buff. DO NOT use your hand, you'll "finger wave" the finish. Then again, on a boat? You'de probably never know it.

[JER-1 BIG BASS]

I'm doing mine this week finished sanding yesterday.
1000 FIRST TIM AROUND
1200 SECOND TIME AROUND
1500 THIRD TIME AROUND
Looks great, showroom new
Finished compounding it out today ,gonna polish it tommorow and first coat of PRO-TECH SEALER ,AND then Sat second coat of protech sealer FINISHED.
Then tear out all the carpet and start on that.
THen new seats after that ,then put it all back together.
THEN GO FISHING
BIG BASS

[Rude520]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JER-1 BIG BASS &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I'm doing mine this week finished sanding yesterday.
1000 FIRST TIM AROUND
1200 SECOND TIME AROUND
1500 THIRD TIME AROUND
Looks great, showroom new
Finished compounding it out today ,gonna polish it tommorow and first coat of PRO-TECH SEALER ,AND then Sat second coat of protech sealer FINISHED.
Then tear out all the carpet and start on that.
THen new seats after that ,then put it all back together.
THEN GO FISHING
BIG BASS</td></tr></table>

Did you do to cap only or whole boat?

[JER-1 BIG BASS]

Sanded top cap down to rubrail and inside all around boat. On rest of boat I just compounded it,and will 3m polish it.
Boat colored sides just ran the compound over it no sanding and will polish it also. and then pro-tech seal it all , one coat one day and next day coat second coat no wax, I'll e-mail you a pic of before and after ,the after pic hasn't even been polished yet. it's a 1998 Hydra sport 205.
BIG BASS

[BASSCAT7]

If the water is still turning milky color, then you have not removed all the oxidation from the pores.
The milky color is coming from the white powdery residue that is the result of the chemical breakdown in the polyester compounds in the gelcoat.
The UV rays /heat from the sun cause the gel to break down when it is not protected by wax/sealerand the resulting white residue fills the pores in the gelcoat.

It does not matter if the gelcoat is colored or clear as clear gel has the same chemical makeup as colored, minus the pigments.

Once the pores fill with the residue, the gel becomes cloudy, and if severe enough will become rough to the touch.
Mechanical removal by sanding opens the pores in the gelcoat and the water flushes the powdery residue out of the pores.

1000 grit is fine on slightly oxidized gel, severe oxidation will usually require 800 grit.

[rwainwright]

Dont be scared of the lower grit paper, I have gone as low as 400 wetsanding and worked my way back up to 1500 to remove some deeper scrathes. Gel cote is more resilient than you might think.

[DrCFishing]

I did mine a few months ago. Start with 1000 then 2000. The 3m polish is designed to remove scratches from 2000 wetsanding. Depending on how oxidized it is you could even go a little rougher to start. Less sanding the rougher you start. 2000 the whole way makes for lots of work. Lots of work but worth the effort.

Happy to help if I can.....

[theBaitBar]

What 3m compound did you use?

[DrCFishing]

As suggested in this awesome writeup\\

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