31 ft Sonic SS

[TMQ]

Started working on the topsides yesterday using Rupes blue pad and captain's AIO. Not feeling the love yet! The gel coat on top is
probably just a hair too oxidized for the basic Rupes blue pad.

So today, will break out the big gun---huge De Walt rotary and new wool pad. I hope this will speed things up and create more even and clean surface.

Pics...

 

[TMQ]

Hope today that the rotary will speed up things, cut deeper and produce a more uniform finish than the Rupes blue pad.

The problem with Rupes is that I had to go back over the same spot 2 or 3 more times to get a decent finish. Even then---finish is not even all over. Spotty with light and dull areas. A real pain!

This is an example where I wished I had a Flex forced rotation with wool pad!!

Wish me luck people---Grin. I'll report back tonight how the day went.

Tom

 

[TMQ]

And...before I forget---

That little bitty 3" griot polisher hit it out the park---Again...!

Tried both, a gray coarse cutting and orange cutting thin pro pads and it cuts through the oxidation like butter than the Rupes blue pad. It took me several passes with the Rupes to get the finish to match up with what the 3" griot did...

I am loving this little polisher more and more...

Tom

 

[B5visser]

Looking forward to seeing the "after" shots!

When I do boats (not very often, maybe a couple a year), My go to tools are the PE14 and 3401.

Good to hear the mini griots is pulling its weight too!

 

[TMQ]

Up-date...

DeWalt rotary and 3M wool pad blend plus Marine 31 captain AIO cut through oxidized, chalky, dry gel coat like butter. And super fast too.

However---I'm not happy with the finish down. It leaves overlapping section lines everywhere! Not as bad as the Rupes blue pads but still there. I'll remove one section line and end up creating 2 more! I'll start at one end and overlap section lines by 50% and still create 2 more! Chasing my tail to no end!!! Also product drys so quickly that at times impossible to remove. I found that if I took a microfiber applicator pad and did circular application of AIO---it actually did cut more then remove it quickly while wet---turned out much better.
Section lines were not as obvious but still creating section lines with the applicator!

I've done everything possible, apply heavy, use less, short buffing times, long buffing time, Rupes, rotary, blue pads, wool etc... etc...Looking all over for tell tale signs of clues of how to make this work...Skunked to max!

Make no mistake---boat looks better, cleaner and owner is happy. But I know that it isn't right at all! Too many light, dark and spotty overall final finish!

Something isn't right! And I'm very disappointed in my work. This is NOT a Competition Ready quality work by far! More of a HACK job...

Sigh...will do interior today, clean vinyl then call it quits. May do a couple of touch ups but I am done. Got my butt kicked big time! Grin.

Like Mike said once---Know your 3 P's...

--Paint
--product
--procedure

I flunked all three listed above!!!

Later,
Tom

 

[TMQ]

Mulling over the experience, in hindsight I probably should have simply went with straight compound/rotary/wool and finished down with dedicated polish with foam pad...?

Paint was probably tad more oxidized than what an AIO could've handle...

Oh well...live and learn!

Owner is happy and wants me to buff out his father's runabout come spring. Plus another one in pipeline...
I gotta git my S@#t together!!!

Tom

 

[SWETM]

You got a PIA work this time. And as you say live and learn. But the customer was happy is the most importened thing.
I believe that you thought about that the AIO could'nt handle the oxidazed gelcoat enough is what happened. So a compound that works great on oxidazed gelcoat first and then maybe finish with the AIO is the way to go next time. And I'm certain that you figure it out better next time so you also are satisfied with it.
Keep it up and don't let you down for this!

 

[TMQ]

Got it!
Kept at it until it finished out correctly. Gel coat is now flawless.

3 pea size product on blue Rupes, speed set at 5. Made around 10 section passes until product practically disappeared. Wipe off was a breeze and finish was flawless!

Issue was the definition of product "haze". My "haze" was just too much and too wet of product. Once I figured that out---the work went smoothly and effortless.

Happy camper tonight...grin

Tom

Tom

 

[chet31]

I had the same thing happen with my 7 yr old Waverunner that had never been polished. I used an AIO w/ a finishing pad, just wanted to take out the fine swirls and shine it up. Well, that doesn't work with gel coat. Every pass with the Flex showed. It seems with gel coat, you either have to go super light, or all in.

 

[TMQ]

Thanks to the above...

Spent 3 days chasing my tail all over and feeling stoopid at the same time! Grin. In the coming spring, I will have 2 boats to knock out and will get a flex this time with wool pads.
Depending on level of oxidation, will do a dedicated compound and finish off with an AIO.

Tom

 

[Mad Wax]

Thanks to the above...

Spent 3 days chasing my tail all over and feeling stoopid at the same time! Grin. In the coming spring, I will have 2 boats to knock out and will get a flex this time with wool pads.
Depending on level of oxidation, will do a dedicated compound and finish off with an AIO.

Tom

I'm the exact same way...99% of my work I always scrutinze...and only 1% of the time do I feel like I really knocked it out of the park. The best part of this kind of work is the problem solving...and you didn't give up on it. That is the sign of a true professional. There is no doubt in my mind, the next time when you tackle those boats, your going to hit a home run.