Which air tool for sanding orange peel out of gelcoat?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by aaronhl, Dec 20, 2021.

  1. aaronhl
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 333
    Likes: 3, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Central Connecticut

    aaronhl Senior Member

    So I can spray a topcoat of gelcoat and of course there is orange peel which I start sanding at about 320# grit. Last part of the project was sanded by hand, however the next area is a lot bigger and will need machinery to sand it from all Wet 320 - 400 - 600 - 800 - 1000.....

    I get confused with all the types of sanders. Looking at air sanders... not sure if I should get a one handed palm type (random orbital) or a two hander (dual action) to sand the get coat? Here's a few pictures let me know what sander you would use and why... I have an electric DA for compounding polish&wax btw...

    Is Dual Action or Random Orbital better for sanding through the various grits?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,685
    Likes: 961, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Random orbital
     
  3. aaronhl
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 333
    Likes: 3, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Central Connecticut

    aaronhl Senior Member

    Thanks for the reply, so the random orbital palm sander style would work well? Why do you like that one better?
     
  4. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,685
    Likes: 961, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Cause that's what was recommended to me years ago and it has worked just fine.
     
  5. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    Palm

    The duel action are harder to keep flat on the surface.
    Duel actions claim to be both a random orbit and spin sander, but they don't do either job well.
     

  6. aaronhl
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 333
    Likes: 3, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Central Connecticut

    aaronhl Senior Member

    Awesome ok that makes sense Thank you everyone
     
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