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.

http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0830.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0831.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0839.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0840.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0841.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0843.jpg
http://www.lehrner.com/david/tige/CIMG0844.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

You'll want to get a rotary buffer, a wool cutting pad and an aggressive compound like our #67 One Step Compound (http://www.meguiars.com/?boat-cleaners-compounds/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]

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]

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 (http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-backing-plates/Rotary-Buffer-Backing-Plates)
Wool Pad (http://http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pad/Cut-N-Shine-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]

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

[Mike Phillips]

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.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/270SangerDragBoat.jpg

[evil0ne]

Well it looks like I'm back in business, thanks again.
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426446.jpg
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426447.jpg
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426448.jpg

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426449.jpg
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426450.jpg
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426451.jpg
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/426452.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

Looks good, nice work.

When do we go fishing?

[evil0ne]

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

[krward]

evilone,

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

[evil0ne]

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 :o, 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.