Gelcoat - How do I get a high gloss shine

[wet-foot]

I've wet sanded down to 1500 grit and used automotive polishing compound to gloss it up. Is there a better system to get a high gloss shine on gelcoat?

[fiberglass jack]

get aqua buff compound its made for gel ,sand 800 and then use aquabuff 1000 followed with aquabuff 2000

[wet-foot]

I have a 7" air driven polisher, believe the rpm to be about 2500 as recommended, are the electric ones better?
What do you use for pads?
What are the steps to get it to a high gloss shine once the area is sanded out with 800 grit?

[JRL]

Anything that will spin at or above 2500rpm will work with AquaBuff. I cant stress to you enough how well this stuff works. Just make sure you keep your part misted while buffing. If it gets to dry you can scratch your plug/mold with the dried up buffing compound. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the side of the bottle. If you do your part will shine with no problem.

Also, when wet sanding, make sure you clean your mold and change your water everytime you change to a different grit paper.

[wet-foot]

thanks for the info, will pick some up and give it ago!!!!!

[buckknekkid]

10, count em TEN frickin days of blue,,,, then white,,,, then epoxy,,,,now the Interprotect. After 6 gallons Im starting to like Pink Floyd , the fumes produce excellent effects, One more coat and then the anti christ fouling...

[buckknekkid]

3 coats

[Deeman]

Wet_Foot, 1500 may still be too rough to polish (easily). I had heavy oxidation/fading in both the black and red. I used upto 2500 grit by hand, then 3M polish and 3M wax with a cheap auto buffer. 2000 and/or 2500 grit wet/dry paper at your commercial auto paint store. Do it wet, using a water spay bottle and don't remove too much gel coat. Be gentle, she's a lady. Wash/wipe before buffing.
Before:

After:

[fiberglass jack]

ray the rigging shope was selling the interprotect 2000 cheap, white and grey, wetfoot the aqua buff 1000 is like sanding with 1000 cuts fast, work small areas and you will get the hang of it just play with it

[wet-foot]

will give the aqua buff a shot. I can get the glass smooth and shinny, but can't get it to a high gloss with what I'm using now. After Polishing wet do you just buff it out by hand when dry? Jack, is there somewhere in Canada I can order online to compare with US pricing? thx

[fiberglass jack]

http://www.compositescanada.com/ there in missauga there the dealers for aqua buff in toronto, ask for mark

[wet-foot]

Thanks, will see how they compare to US pricing.

[buckknekkid]

had to fill a couple of holes Jack

[fiberglass jack]

just a little to hard, shes looking good Ray, wish I could say the same for my girlfriend

[buckknekkid]

if you look closely there was a spider crack in the rear most bolt hole. Its going together today, then more paint, more anti christ and a lot of soap and water. the wife is banned from the boat until I get the blue dust out.