Re: 1983 Deck Boat Transom/deck/stringer replacement Help
Took some pics of the cracks in the gel coat before I started to sand. Does anyone think I need to sand these cracks down to the glass.
Typically you would fix all the repairs ( chips,cracks and dings ) before you spray. I dont think that sanding all the gel off to the glass is needed. We typically use a dremel to grind out the cracks into the first layer of glass then fill them. It just depends on Why the cracks are there ( Impact cracks or hardpoint cracks or cracks coming from drill holes that were not countersunk etc. ).
I read somewhere here to take a marking pen and draw lines all over the area to be sanded. I think it was Yacth Dr that said this. I drew the lines and it sure helps to let you know where the low spots are and how much more is needed to take off. On the white gel its hard to see without the lines.
Yes.. I did suggest the marker thingy..but use a damp acetone rag to smear it around after your scribblings
.. gives you a nice 'guide coat' over the entire surface ( use this when sanding out your gel is a Major help ).
I can say one thing for sure after running the inline sander all day. My hands or sore from all the vibration and who put the trigger on top of the handle. The heal of my hand is nice and brused now.
I would trade a all day grinding with the 7" grinder over this sander. (LOL)
I would have used the 6" DA sander with 80 grit. Yes the inline vibration can get to the best of us.
However as far as the trigger in the handle issue.. its actually in the Right place. I agree that in one way its in the wrong place but remember you sometimes have to use it over head .. or infront of you..or wrapping it under a strake or chine. If it was a pistol trigger style it would be hard to handle for some applications of the tool. ( like doing over head sanding .. you push up activating the trigger at the same time .. Imagine if you had to pull a trigger at the same time as pushing up on that heavy thing
).
ONE Question about the fairing. Will it stick to the gel coat. Have a few low place's I need to fill in.
Yes you need to prep before you fill. Depending on how Low your Lows are you can just prep it with 80 grit and fill them in your spray application of gel.
Basically if its just a slight low that your inline didnt take out but not enough to warrent filler..wait until your spraying your gel and spot fill it with gel when spraying ( Look at your surface when spraying and just spray them lows a few shots more then the rest of the boat ). When using this method make sure your last coat is an over all coat and not spot fills.
Nice days progress Decker....so I have sore hand syndrome to contend with soon you say?
What size compressor you have? Curious if mine will handle one of those sanders, but I hope it does.
You would rarely need to use an inline sander .. but if its ONE hand tool that uses the Most amount of Air it would be the Inline sander ( AirFile ).
An Electric Half sheet sander would be better if you really want that dream team mirror look. Might take longer but they work well.
If your trying to file off a Repair ( not prepping ) use a Sure Form ( Hand held cheese grater kinda thing ) when the putty and/or glass is just kicking off.
For your last post.. how low are your lows ?
YD.
