Wet sanding gel coat.

[Dave210TE]

Hey there. I have just lifted my boat out for winter storage and am going to use this time to work on so bad scratches on the gel coat. I was just wondering have any of you guys any tips on the wet sanding thing. Any feedback would be good.
Cheers

[ClemsonDave]

It's not that difficult, just scary the first time you do it.

Always start with the least aggressive method. If that doesn't work, go to the next most aggressive. Start with a rubbing compound and a random orbit buffer with good pads. If that doesn't work, go to 2000 grit wet. If that doesn't work go to 1500 wet. Etc.

Once you get the scratches out, work your way back through all the grits you used until you finish with the rubbing compound. Then top it off with something like a hand glaze.

When using the wet/dry sandpaper, soak the pieces in a bucket of soapy water. Keep a spray bottle of soapy water in one hand while you lightly sand with the other. You want to keep the area super slippery.

Another tip.... Alternate directions when you change grits. That way you can see when the previous marks are gone.

[robertsmcfarland]

When I have work with small scratches or dings (inch and half or smaller in length) I will put painter tape around the imperfection that way you will not mess up good areas and it is much easier to work with your hand and not bring an electric tool into the process and keep the project from taking a life of it's on.

[Dave210TE]

Thanks for the tips guys when I get round to doing it i will let you know how I get on.

[bchesley]

If you have scratches to get out you will need to start with something more aggressive then 2000. I am sanding mine right now with 600 and will just buff from there. I have used as aggressive as 400 then to 600. I personally think that wet sanding is a waste of time. If you use the right compound then finish up with some finess-it from 3m you will have a mirror finish. I have brought several back to life in my time using this method. My fiberglass guy who used to work for Correct Craft told me to do it that way.

[tmb]

"I personally think that wet sanding is a waste of time. If you use the right compound then finish up with some finess-it from 3m you will have a mirror finish"

Bchelsey - What compound do you recommend?

[bchesley]

Its actually a buffing bar like jewelers use. My dealer stocks them so I get mine from them. I believe they get them from spectrum. They come in white or red and the red is the most aggressive. Not near as messy either because they dont fling all over the boat.

[tmb]

Thanks. I use the red one as well.

[ClemsonDave]

I would not go directly to 600 grit for every scratch. If you do that too much, you will blow through the color or cause 'dents'. You need to evaluate how deep the scratch is and use the least aggressive method possible to get rid of the scratch.

Here is a perfect example. Below was the rear of my 200. Look at all the scratches. However, they were not deep. I ONLY used rubbing compound and a finishing compound. No sand paper at all. It was hard to get a picture of it because the black had so much depth. The 3rd pic is where I put some 3M clear film on to protect it.

Jewelers rouge is an interesting method. Never tried it. I assume that only works for small areas. For large areas, I'd stick with a random orbit buffer unless you are very experienced.

[bchesley]

I think it determines what your definition of a scratch is. What I see on your boat dave is not what I call a scratch and I would not sand that. I would use just the buffing bar. I need to take a picture of the bar and post it so you can see what it actually is. You apply it to your buffer. I will post something tonight or tomorrow for all to see.

[areford]

I agree with not wet sanding unless there are some serious scratches/gouges or oxidation. My 93 was neglected and left unwaxed in the sun, so 1500 and 2000 wetsanding, followed by 3m heavy compound and finesse it were required. For small scratches, some regular duty compound and finesse it should work fine. Not sure about the jewelers trick, but that sounds like a great way as well.

[teamseal]

Deep scratches need to be filled with gel coat then sanded, polished, etc. I just repaired a "Scratch" in my 200 where someone decided to install the bimini by their self and let the one side scrape down the hull. I First started with a little 220grit wet in a very small area around the injury. Then taped off the area and filled the scratch with the correct color Gel from Spectra. After gel cured (24 hours in this case) Using a small flat sanding block then wet sanded the scratch area and feathered out, again starting with wet 220 grit to knock off the bumps then went to 440 and 800 then on to polish and wax utilizing a heavy cut 3M compond then 3M marine Finesse finishing compond topping it off with Meguires flagship marine wax.
Keep in mind we do this for a living and for the first timer utilizing the course grit sand paper is not recomended as others have stated 400-600 is what one should utilize when doing their own detailing and heavy scratch repair. Spectra colors will have small repair gel kits for most all newer Nautiques and even some older ones.

[areford]

Agreed the spectra kit worked great for fixing some dock rash as well. Followed by 400 wet sanding and all is well!