Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

[evil0ne]

I bought a boat that had painted on Registration Numbers. I tried to remove them with Acetone or Oven Cleaner which were very popular methods used by others. Unfortantely for me they didn't remove 100% of the paint. I was then told my only real solution was to wet sand. I got 1500 grit sandpaper and got all the numbers off. Now, how do I get the shine back? What products that I can get easily will work for me? There are some pictures below but it was very difficult to get a good picture. Thanks for the help.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

You'll want to get a rotary buffer, a wool cutting pad and an aggressive compound like our #67 One Step Compound to remove the sanding marks. After that you can re-polish with a less aggressive product to restore the gloss and then apply a wax to seal the surface again.

• Do you own or have access to a rotary buffer?
• Have you ever used a rotary buffer?

[evil0ne]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

I have access to a 7" Variable Speed Polisher/Sander.

I have never used it for this kind of purpose.

Do you know who would carry #67? There are only two boat specific stores in town that are pretty far from my house.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

I have access to a 7" Variable Speed Polisher/Sander.

I have never used it for this kind of purpose.

Do you know who would carry #67? There are only two boat specific stores in town that are pretty far from my house.

THe 7" variable speed sander/polisher should work fine, you'll need one with a 5/8" arbor and then you'll need a Velcro backing plate and a wool cutting pad with a Velcro backing to attach to the backing plate.

Backing plate
Wool Pad


As for the M6732 One Step Compound, best thing to do would be to call them first, it might end up being more economical to order them online.

[evil0ne]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

Thanks for the help . I will try and post pictures when its all back to normal and covered up by new registration numbers .

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

Sounds good. By the way I did something very similar to my hull at one time, removed the vinyl number stickers only to find fade lines everywhere the numbers/letters were. Compounded the area the polished and waxed and then applied new lettering and numbering and looked as good or better.

[evil0ne]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

Well it looks like I'm back in business, thanks again.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

Looks good, nice work.

When do we go fishing?

[evil0ne]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

I'm not really a fisherman, you bring the poles and we'll be set.

[krward]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

evilone,

What products did you end up using in the end to get the job done?

[evil0ne]

Re: Repair Gel Coat after Wet Sanding

evilone,

What products did you end up using in the end to get the job done?

I know this is going to get me in trouble , but the first product I used was 3M Finesse It Rubbing Compound since I was unable to locate #67 and I had to get the new numbers on before this weekend. I then went to Deep Crystal System Polish and finished with the Gold Class Liquid Wax. Now that its done I have to get the rest of the boat done. I'm even going to get the fiberglass inside the boat.