Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

[Dolfan0925]

I've read a lot of threads about this. Enough to be a little afraid to ask a question about how to remove oxidation.

My question is how often do I need to do the wet sanding? How quickly will my boat get like this again? Because the gel coat is only so thick, so isn't sanding it damaging it a little every time you do it?

TY

Tony

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Welcome to iboats.

Start and try rubbing compound and polishing compound BEFORE you ever venture to wet sanding.

I purchased a polisher from Northern Tool and many people get a harbor freight model......... considered a great tool.

 

[Midnight Krawler]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Heavy duty cleaner wax, a rotary buffer, and a couple of hours will take care of that. No need to wet sand.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

A quality preserver/wax afterward will keep it nice. Look into Poli-Glow.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

I've read a lot of threads about this. Enough to be a little afraid to ask a question about how to remove oxidation.

My question is how often do I need to do the wet sanding? How quickly will my boat get like this again? Because the gel coat is only so thick, so isn't sanding it damaging it a little every time you do it?

TY

Tony

There are only 2 reasons I have come across that would require you to wetsand Gelcoat.

1. remove surface scratches or perosity.

2. cheap gel that has Yellowed out.

If you get yourself the rotary buffer and some good compound you should be able to make that baby showroom condition without sanding.

From your pics..it looks like another case of some kinda coating was applied and Burning from the sun or just getting old and drying out.

Rid your boat of that and your good.

If you start to apply some coating after you buff it out..your going to have the same problem in the future..so keep in mind after all the hard work its going to take to bring the luster back.. will you want to do it again in the near future .

YD.

PS. IF you just put water on it..will the dullness kinda go away ?

 

[Dolfan0925]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

There are only 2 reasons I have come across that would require you to wetsand Gelcoat.

1. remove surface scratches or perosity.

2. cheap gel that has Yellowed out.

If you get yourself the rotary buffer and some good compound you should be able to make that baby showroom condition without sanding.

From your pics..it looks like another case of some kinda coating was applied and Burning from the sun or just getting old and drying out.

Rid your boat of that and your good.

If you start to apply some coating after you buff it out..your going to have the same problem in the future..so keep in mind after all the hard work its going to take to bring the luster back.. will you want to do it again in the near future .

YD.

PS. IF you just put water on it..will the dullness kinda go away ?

Yeah it looks a LOT better when it's wet.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Heavy duty cleaner wax, a rotary buffer, and a couple of hours will take care of that. No need to wet sand.

NEVER START HEAVY

The biggest mistake a person can make is starting with a cleaner that is to heavy for the application.

Cleaners are an abrasive and many people forget about that, you always want to start with a light/fine cut cleaner and if it is not working then progress to a heavier one.

If you start with to heavy/rough cut of a cleaner then you actually remove the oxidation and also generous amounts of the finish surface.

Once you have done this, it's all about upkeep. Depending on how often you use your boat and how much prolonged exposure it has to the elements will dictate how often you should wash and wax it.

Many people think once a season is enough, however they end up paying for it in the longrun.

 

[Dolfan0925]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Light/fine such as what in particular?

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Light/fine such as what in particular?

This refers to the type of compound, light/fine, is a fine cut abrasive that removes less at a time versus the heavy/coarse cut abrasive.

I have used Meguiar's products for years with good results. But others will have their personal preference.

It's worth a trip to the local detail shop and ask them as they can walk you through the specifics and the latest things on the market.

 

[Blue2Green]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Is it a safe bet to start with a light/fine cleaner to see if that removes my oxidation, and then and only then should I consider wetsanding.

 

[SawDust{RM}]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

I would wet sand with 1000 to get any scratches & excessive oxidation & then go to the compound
If you have removed decals 600 / 1000 & the compound
If your gonna repaint a stripe use 400 to remove the oxidation as part of your prep

I think YD or Oops posted a nice line once "Gel Coat Doesn't Grow Back"


Some folks live by the 400/600/1200 rule

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Don't sand unless you have to....trust me!!!!! I just finished buffing out my boat. It had some oxidation on the back end.....I followed some "semi-bad" advice and wetsanded.......Now - it seems like every time I look at the boat I see some sanding scratches that I missed when buffing it back out. Put the boat indoors, and you don't see it, put it outside and you do...and visa versa....

I wish I would have just used rubbing compound and some finesse it II from the start!!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

All gel coats becomes dull and changes color over time when they have been exposed to UV rays, even the best products applied perfectly do it. When it comes time to get that original look back there is no one exact method, this is because there many different brands of gel coat and each brand will have many formulas for the manufactures to choose from. Then factor in all of the variables that can take place in the plant when its being applied and you end up with finishes that weather very differently and then respond to efforts to make them look good again in very different ways also.

Hard gel coats will typically hold a gloss very well, but it can be a little more work to remove the sanding scratches. You need to sand with finer grits and longer with each one to ensure they are removed. Buffing compound and technique is more important also.


Softer gel coats tend to loose their gloss a little quicker, but can be much easier to make look good again. Many times you can sand with 600 and buff the scratches out easily, or even just buff and get very good results.

Many gel coats can have an excellent gloss when first out of the mold, but will never regain that gloss if they are touched with a buffer, others are formulated to buff back very well.

I?ve seen terrible looking gel coat that can be easily buffed to regain its color and gloss. I?ve also seen gel coat looks bad even after a great deal of difficult work.


The recommended method has always been to start with a small area about 1?x 1? and see what works best before going any further. Use just a compound first and get more aggressive until you get the results you desire (or have to settle for).

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

Don't sand unless you have to....trust me!!!!! I just finished buffing out my boat. It had some oxidation on the back end.....I followed some "semi-bad" advice and wetsanded.......Now - it seems like every time I look at the boat I see some sanding scratches that I missed when buffing it back out. Put the boat indoors, and you don't see it, put it outside and you do...and visa versa....

I wish I would have just used rubbing compound and some finesse it II from the start!!

As Ondarvr said ^^^ ..

"semi-bad" advice .. if you need to sand you need to sand..

If you dont break though on your sand/buff then you didnt buff enough .

See..there is a dertermination that can be seen ( from a gel knowledged guy ) that has a risk. Do you try to buff ( taking off material/gel .. then determine that it wont work..so sand and buff is the next step ? ) or sand/buff. Do you have enough material/gel on there..who knows .. it Boat To Boat..PERIOD !

Keep working away at them unbuffed areas ( wetsand scratches ) untill they go away.

I sand and buff .. I Buff till I cant feel my arms anymore lol..its not a car with clearcoat. You can put some pressure on there .

YD.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Wet sanding to remove oxidation?

We are re-visiting another old thread! We have a new member who has been bringing many older threads back to the top.