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View Full Version : best rubbing/buffing compound....


ZekesterbluH3
05-13-2009, 04:12 PM
Everyone will have an opinion on this...

The ship has been outside, uncovered for 9 years...

what compound should I use to start with?

In past buffing adventures, I've used meguiar's compound #49, then a polish #45, then #56 as a wax...I'm looking at #91, as a cutting compound, which they say is more aggresive then the #49....

what say the masses...how do I rejuvinate severly oxidized gelcoat?
Pismo
05-13-2009, 04:34 PM
Super duty 3M...Buy a qt, rotary buffer. Lots of Advil....

http://www.levineautoparts.com/3msupdutrubc.html
Pismo
05-13-2009, 04:34 PM
or actually a far better idea...Paint it. Great paints out there nowadays. PPG etc. Paint once or buff every year.
ZekesterbluH3
05-13-2009, 05:12 PM
no advil. I'm happy to do it, the last boat i did was a 34 Sea ray express...this is a walk in the park : )

I thought of paint, but I want to clean it up and see what I get, then maybe go to paint if it's an issue...
gcarter
05-13-2009, 06:05 PM
For the very best results in gel, color sand it.
In the end, you'll be glad you did.
Conquistador_del_mar
05-13-2009, 06:30 PM
Super duty 3M...Buy a qt, rotary buffer. Lots of Advil....

http://www.levineautoparts.com/3msupdutrubc.html

Yep, 3M superduty compound will get most jobs done - followed by their less abrasive compounds.


For the very best results in gel, color sand it.
In the end, you'll be glad you did.

Depending on how badly it is oxidized, George is right - just a lot more work - :yes: Bill
ZekesterbluH3
05-13-2009, 10:29 PM
haven't ruled out colour sanding, it's more work, but only the top deck that needs it...
gcarter
05-14-2009, 05:36 AM
Like Bill said, it depends on how bad it is. I've seen people go right through the gel using compound trying to save some time and effort. If it's light, maybe a fine 3M machine glaze on a foam pad may be the answer.
If it's really awful and it has changed color, then I'd sand it, followed by the glaze.
Kirbyvv
05-14-2009, 07:15 AM
I had great results with 3M super duty, followed by 3M finesse it finishing compound.
ITTLFLI
05-14-2009, 07:36 AM
I like wizards products. Here is what i did with it a year ago. U can't go wrong with 3m either.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52571&highlight=jet
bill44
05-14-2009, 11:26 AM
George in laymans terms just what does the term "color sanding" mean?

Bailey
Tony
05-14-2009, 11:48 AM
George in laymans terms just what does the term "color sanding" mean?

Bailey

Wet-sanding.

Compounds come in various grits, from maybe 1200 to 2000.
With bad oxidation it is necessary to remove the top layer, requiring a grit of 800, 600, or even 400 to start.
Use a dual action orbital sander, hooked up to a bucket of water and a compressor.

:beer:
bill44
05-14-2009, 12:00 PM
Thanks Tony for the quick reply! Inother words if my boat has "heavy" oxidation I should 1st. try wet sanding with lets say 600 grit,and progressively go lower if the 600 doesn't remove the oxidation. Here is where I become scared in that if I have to use a really low numbered sand paper will I damage the gel coat, or should I be very careful not to.
Hope that doesn't sound stupid,but you know what I mean.
Bailey
SilverBack
05-14-2009, 12:35 PM
Call Jim at Top Notch Performance Marine

www.topnotchperformancemarine.com

He has Leverage products and they are the best that I have seen.
gcarter
05-14-2009, 12:51 PM
Thanks Tony for the quick reply! Inother words if my boat has "heavy" oxidation I should 1st. try wet sanding with lets say 600 grit,and progressively go lower if the 600 doesn't remove the oxidation. Here is where I become scared in that if I have to use a really low numbered sand paper will I damage the gel coat, or should I be very careful not to.
Hope that doesn't sound stupid,but you know what I mean.
Bailey
You should be able to start w/800 or so.
When I'm starting from freshly sprayed gel, I start w/180, 320, 400, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500. You can actually see a pretty good reflection in 800.
Tony
05-14-2009, 03:04 PM
Here are a couple threads chronicling my oxidation journey. I had some very pink sections on my boat...and in fact had to start with 400 grit paper! I am glad that Donzi did not scrimp on gel, I am pretty sure that with the amount of sanding I did I would have gone through the gel of most other boat manufacturers.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45432

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46093

:beer: