color sanding

[bill44]

Gentlemen would you be so kind to explain to me just what the term "color sanding" means a just what does it entail doing.

[onesubdrvr]

It's a lot of work, but worth it (imo). Basically you start with 1000 grit sandpaper, sand smooth, increase to 1500, then 2000, then a fine rubbing compound, then a polish.

Again, it's alot of work, and someone will post more exact details, and recommended solutions for the compounds and polishing pastes, but man it makes a huge difference

Wayne

[CHACHI]

Where's George?

Ken

[gcarter]

Yes, a lot of work.....
I'm currently at 400 going to 800. Still a long way to go.
You start by buying about 15 sheets of wet-or-dry sand paper in each of several grades of courseness. Since I'm going from spraying fresh gel, I started w/180-220-400-800-1200-1500 and maybe 2000.
But if your just trying to recover the shine of new gel, start w/maybe 400 or 600. Get yourself a hand sized block, a gallon bucket of water, add a little soap to it, and start sanding one direction on all the surfaces you want to correct. When you finish w/one grade, move on to the next grade finer, but sand at an angle to the original direction. Continue sanding w/that grade until all the original sand scratches are gone. Continue doing so until you've gone through all the grades you've purchased. At that time, you can use a buffer and compound to finish off.
Ya just can't skip any steps.

[gcarter]

I guess a decision has to be made as to where to start.....
If the surface isn't horribly degraded, maybe 1000 to start like Wayne suggested would be correct. If it's horrible, start w/400. Or somewhere in between. You can see a good reflection at 800.
Back to "horrible", you're trying to remove heavy oxidation, so course paper is in order. You don't want to wast time trying to do too much work with too fine of sandpaper.
At the same time, you don't want to waste time trying to sand out sand scratches from too course of paper.

[Tony]

Reading this thread (http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45432) will save me a lot of typing.
By the way, what type of situation are you working on?
Good luck!

:beer:

[gcarter]

Here's a couple of pics demonstrating what I'm talking about.
The first picture is after sanding with 400, and that was after 320.
http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37418&d=1216834971
The next is on the aft deck and after 800, which was after 400.
http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37419&d=1216834971
Then, if you look carefully, you can see some longitudinal scratches in the foreground...that has to be sanded w/the 800 some more.
http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37420&d=1216834971

[Tony]

Jeez...we give a guy 6 good responses, complete with links and pics, and he couldn't be bothered with a reply of his own? :confused::smash::confused::smash:

[gcarter]

Jeez...we give a guy 6 good responses, complete with links and pics, and he couldn't be bothered with a reply of his own? :confused::smash::confused::smash:
I noticed that too......
Hmmmmmmm:doh:

[bill44]

Sorry for the tardy reply, but I was not near a computer until 6:13 p.m. today so Tony please forgive. I don't own a Donzi but we do have a California style Ski Boat (with a 140 hp outboard) This past winter I replaced its transom and hopefully this winter I would like to repaint the the boat, hence the "Color Sanding" question.
I have logged on to this web site probably every day for the past 5 yrs., so I guess I am a "wannabe" owner of a 18' classic but I'm afraid those days might have passed me by. ( retired, fixed income,wifey, kids, grandkids etc. etc.)

Bailey

[Tony]

I apologize too, Bailey, I shoulda given you more time to get back to us.
Good luck with your project...and feel free to ask specific questions once you get into it.
Don't give up on a Donzi, you never know what might fall into your lap if you're keeping your eyes open.

:beer:

[cutwater]

I have logged on to this web site probably every day for the past 5 yrs., so I guess I am a "wannabe" owner of a 18' classic but I'm afraid those days might have passed me by. ( retired, fixed income,wifey, kids, grandkids etc. etc.)

Bailey

Hey Bailey - if you're good at glass work like the transom & can learn to paint and refinish, you might be able to pick up an 18 project boat pretty cheap.