WiskyDan
Jetboaters Captain
- Messages
- 1,192
- Reaction score
- 2,177
- Points
- 237
- Location
- Jackson, WI
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2018
- Boat Model
- 242 Limited S E-Series
- Boat Length
- 24
So I'm going to be doing some black gelcoat repair (a few scratches) this weekend with the Spectrum paste. I've got a pretty good idea of how to approach the gelcoat repair and have all of the necessary grits but I've got a couple questions for those that have done this before:
Wet sanding by hand or with a machine?
I have a 3" hand sanding kit with all of the necessary grits but I've seen mention of using a small buffer with a 3" sanding disc as well. I've wet sanded my boat by hand before and it worked OK but would it be an easier/faster process with a machine or are the risks of over-correcting too high?
Cutting compound or cutting compound with polish?
I've been trying to decide if I should go with a buffing compound or a two-in-one that compounds and polishes in the same step. Options that I'm looking at:
Once the season sends I plan on compounding, polishing, and then sealing with Rejex - this project is just to take care of the aftermath of the gelcoat repair and blend it in with the surrounding surface. I already own the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax, 3M Finesse-It II, and finally 3M Perfect-It Wax which is why I'm sticking with the wax as the final step.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Wet sanding by hand or with a machine?
I have a 3" hand sanding kit with all of the necessary grits but I've seen mention of using a small buffer with a 3" sanding disc as well. I've wet sanded my boat by hand before and it worked OK but would it be an easier/faster process with a machine or are the risks of over-correcting too high?
Cutting compound or cutting compound with polish?
I've been trying to decide if I should go with a buffing compound or a two-in-one that compounds and polishes in the same step. Options that I'm looking at:
- 3M Perfect-It Heavy Gelcoat Heavy Cutting Compound (wool pad) followed by 3M Finesse-It II (foam pad) and finally 3M Perfect-It Wax (foam pad). I used the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax last year and it didn't seem to cut very well so I figured I would try the heavy cutting compound this time around and finish it off with the Finesse-It II and wax.
- Meguiar's M6732 Marine One-Step Compound (wool pad) followed by the 3M Perfect-It Wax (foam pad). The M6732 sounds like it is more aggressive than the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax so maybe I will get better results. Can I get away with a wool pad and then jumping directly to a foam pad with wax or am I gonna have the hologram effect from the wool pad?
- 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Compound + Polish (wool pad) followed by the 3M Perfect-It Wax (foam pad). This two-in-one appears to be more aggressive than the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax option and I'm guessing it's on par with the Meguiar'sM6732. Can I get away with a wool pad and then jumping directly to a foam pad with wax or am I gonna have the hologram effect from the wool pad?
- Menzerna Heavy Cut 400 (wool pad) followed by the 3M Perfect-It Wax (foam pad). The Menzerna doesn't advertise as a two-in-one but it does say that it leaves a high gloss finish. I'm thinking I may need to use the Finesse-It II before waxing. Can I get away with a wool pad and then jumping directly to a foam pad with wax or am I gonna have the hologram effect from the wool pad?
Once the season sends I plan on compounding, polishing, and then sealing with Rejex - this project is just to take care of the aftermath of the gelcoat repair and blend it in with the surrounding surface. I already own the 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax, 3M Finesse-It II, and finally 3M Perfect-It Wax which is why I'm sticking with the wax as the final step.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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