Well I wet sanded many large scratches on my 2007 Malibu boat and was left a bit disappointed. Overall it looks a ton better without any obvious scratches. However when you look up close, any place I touched with sandpaper is left with small micro scratches. The scratches look about as deep/big as swirls but they are not swirl marks and the surface is VERY SMOOTH to the touch. I did have some swirl marks in some areas as well, but I think this is just from my general lack of experience. I've done many wet sanding touchups on many of my previous cars and sometimes left with swirls, but never these micro scratches. It's not blatently obvious but in the right light and upon close inspection they are visible. I'm pretty positive its marks showing up from the sanding done before the rotary work. Here is what I did:
1. 3m sandpaper starting at 400 grit when needed (in water & soap done by hand)
2. Followed by steps of 800, 1000,1500,2000,2500 (initially only did 400/1000/1500 but added others after I saw the marks left)
3. 3m rubbing compound (Automotive) with a rotary and orange medium cut Hex Logic pad (I also tried wool pad to see if it made a difference)
4. 3m Finesse-It II glaze (Marine) with a rotary and White Hex Logic Polishing pad.
I tried so many variations and speeds and nothing helped. The only variable I saw left that I didn't try is that the 3m rubbing compound is Automotive and not Marine and that it's probably 1+yr old. I didn't think this is a big deal though and shouldn't cause the issues.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
P.S. Overall the 14 hours spent was worth it and boat looks great. I didn't take many before and afters, but here's one side that I didn't do and one side that was done.
1. 3m sandpaper starting at 400 grit when needed (in water & soap done by hand)
2. Followed by steps of 800, 1000,1500,2000,2500 (initially only did 400/1000/1500 but added others after I saw the marks left)
3. 3m rubbing compound (Automotive) with a rotary and orange medium cut Hex Logic pad (I also tried wool pad to see if it made a difference)
4. 3m Finesse-It II glaze (Marine) with a rotary and White Hex Logic Polishing pad.
I tried so many variations and speeds and nothing helped. The only variable I saw left that I didn't try is that the 3m rubbing compound is Automotive and not Marine and that it's probably 1+yr old. I didn't think this is a big deal though and shouldn't cause the issues.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
P.S. Overall the 14 hours spent was worth it and boat looks great. I didn't take many before and afters, but here's one side that I didn't do and one side that was done.
