Wet Sanding

[Bass Ackwards]

The gel on my Skeeter is starting to dry out, and get a white haze on it, I have been told that I can wet sand it, and it will look like new money. Has anyone dont this? will it work?

What are the pros/cons of doing this?

[A Fn Noob]

Have you tried the 3M Fiberglass Restorer stuff and a buffer? Best stuff in the world for old gelcoat. They sell it at WalMart.

The wet sanding may be necessary if the 3M stuff wont work, but it's a beeyitch. You still have to buff after you wet sand with buffing compound and then wax, so try the 3M stuff first! You're removing a very thin layer of the clear gelcoat to expose a layer (hopefully) that has not been affected by the elements.

[86champion]

hope this helps.
http://www.bbcboards.net...35106

[Bass Ackwards]

I have tried the 3M stuff from wal-mart with little results, but i was doing it by hand, never tried it with a high speed buffer.

Thanks for the link, that boat looks awesome

[kirbyv1]

My boat was just like yours and I wetsanded it and buffed it with a high speed buffer and it is shiney as the day it was made. My boat was not that bad therefore I only wetsanded it with 2000 grit paper and used the 3m stuff from wally world and was very pleased with it. just go slow and take your time.

[luvdmymerc]

In October of 2004 I bought an old Tracker bass boat. The gel coat on the top cap looked like crap. I tried all the Wal-Mart and Bass Pro stuff with little or no improvement.
Then I read on this site how to bring it back to life with the 3-step wet sanding process.
Oh my gosh!!!!! Unbelievable the difference it made.

[A Fn Noob]

Wet sanding works, for sure.... I think it would be an error though, to not try the 3M with a buffer before jumping to wet sanding. It says on the back of the bottle that hand application will not yield good results. If you wet sand, youre gonna need a buffer afterwards anyway, so you may as well break down and get one... Good luck

[Bass Ackwards]

Thanks for all the input guys, i have made up my mind to begin the project after the first of the year, wish me luck!

[Airxsteel]

Can someone recommend a good sander? What speed and brrand? How big does the sanding area have to be? 6" ?? 3" ??

Thanks

[Bass Ackwards]

I was wondering the same thing about a buffer, i found one that was 2500 rpm, but i dont know if thats fast enough, also does it need to be circular or orbital?

[AMS BOATS]

I use a dewalt varible speed(1000-3000rpm) with 9in wool pad.They run about 200$,but I use it almost daily.You can find a cheaper version at Harber Freight for about 60$.Varible speed will allow you options that work best for your finish.I usually compound around 2500rpm and follow with sealer or glaze at 1000rpm.The polisher comes with a tie-on bonnet-Garbage!-buy two sided pad,on side to comp. & one to glaze.As far as sanding,wet by hand.3M does have DA 6in " stick-it"paper as fine as 600 grit,but it makes it too easy to sand too deep.

[Fishn4bass]

Where can you find the 2 sided pad and is it foam or what ?

Just doing research now on restoring mine.

[Bass Ackwards]

Thanks for the buffer info, im still trying to decide when to get started. I keep having this idea that there are going to be a few more warm days i can go out.

[AMS BOATS]

You should try auto parts store(NAPA).Our store stocks them,even if they have to order ,its usually next day.I use wool pads(white).

[AveryF]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AMS BOATS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">....You can find a cheaper version at Harber Freight for about 60$.Varible speed will allow you options that work best for your finish.I usually compound around 2500rpm and follow with sealer or glaze at 1000rpm.The polisher comes with a tie-on bonnet-Garbage!-buy two sided pad,on side to comp. & one to glaze......</TD></TR></TABLE>

I used one of the cheap 7" variable speed versions that I picked up at Harbor Freight for $50 or so. I'm sure the two sided pad would work better but I just used the tie-on bonnets that came with the polisher. They worked fine for no more than I ended up doing and I was able to find some very inexpensive replacement pads at the local auto parts store when we did our son's boat.

Oh, I just checked and Harbor Freight has the same model on sale now for $29!!
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...92623

[Fishn4bass]

That's the exact item I picked up at Harbor Frieght for $29.95. I will try auto parts store for pads.

Thanks.

[A Fn Noob]

Is that thing quiet? I use a Sears/Craftsman 2-speed polisher/buffer and it is so loud my ears ring afterwards. And it weighs a ton. But it is probably as old as I am.

[Bass Ackwards]

Where in the heck do i find 1000 grit sandpaper? i went to Lowe's and Home Depot today with no luck at all, best they had was 600.

[Astro-T]

Got mine at NAPA. Would think any auto parts store should have it

[A Fn Noob]

Good old WalMart, in the auto section! Much cheaper than auto parts place usually.