Gelcoat - How do I get a high gloss shine

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by wet-foot, May 14, 2007.

  1. wet-foot
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    wet-foot Senior Member

    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?
     
  2. fiberglass jack
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    fiberglass jack Senior Member

    get aqua buff compound its made for gel ,sand 800 and then use aquabuff 1000 followed with aquabuff 2000
     
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  3. wet-foot
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    wet-foot Senior Member

    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?
     
  4. JRL
    Joined: May 2007
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    JRL Im with stupid

    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.
     
  5. wet-foot
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    wet-foot Senior Member

    thanks for the info, will pick some up and give it ago!!!!!
     
  6. buckknekkid
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    buckknekkid Senior Member

    We are the new BLUE MAN group

    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... :D
     

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    Last edited: May 16, 2007
  7. buckknekkid
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    buckknekkid Senior Member

    Now for Gray

    3 coats
     

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  8. Deeman
    Joined: Jul 2006
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    Deeman Junior Member

    Gelcoat shine

    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:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]
     
  9. fiberglass jack
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    fiberglass jack Senior Member

    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
     
  10. wet-foot
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    wet-foot Senior Member

    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
     
  11. fiberglass jack
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    fiberglass jack Senior Member

  12. wet-foot
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    wet-foot Senior Member

    Thanks, will see how they compare to US pricing.
     
  13. buckknekkid
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    buckknekkid Senior Member

    think we buffed too hard?

    had to fill a couple of holes Jack
     

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  14. fiberglass jack
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    fiberglass jack Senior Member

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

  15. buckknekkid
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    buckknekkid Senior Member

    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.
     
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