View Full Version : Gel coat buffing suggestions
RM1SepEx
04-10-2015, 06:55 PM
I'm told that Tony Z is the buffing Pooh Bah, I'm looking for thoughts on how to best prep an 818 for gel coat only finish
I've touched up the gel coat in a few areas, it needs to be sanded to smooth, how fine a wet sandpaper do I need to get to? The corners and edges have some rough buildup and I'm sure that buffing alone won't get it smooth
I have a nice orbital buffer and have both open cell foam and lambs wool pads, what compounds does Tony recommend to get a nice shiny finish?
68GT500MAN
04-11-2015, 10:02 AM
I would use the same technique that they use on boats.
Doug
RM1SepEx
04-15-2015, 08:56 AM
Not especially helpful Doug, most boats don't come with rough edges and corners. Repairing damage on a surface isn't quite the same situation.
I was hoping that someone from FFR would respond on the forum and I have asked previously...
I was going to ask this question as well. Looking forward to some detailed answers.
ehansen007
04-30-2015, 03:07 PM
Do you have the gel putty and gel coat? Using these to fix and patch blown out ridges corners works great. The catalyst is NASTY though. With these two you could easily fill, sand, gel coat, sand, then buff to a nice finish. We could tell you how to do it but the only way is to try it out. Just make sure everything is cleaned out really well before each step. It's going to take a bit of trial and error before you perfect it.
RM1SepEx
04-30-2015, 08:51 PM
Erik
I'm looking for some more specifics. What grit, what compound, what pad?
How freaking hard is it to respond with a basic answer??? Why can't I get a "we use a popsicle stick to apply the gel coat mixture to the area, use 1000 grit wet paper to get close, 2000 grit to finalize shape and polish with an orbital polishers with a sheepskin pad using xxx compound"
ehansen007
05-01-2015, 06:03 PM
It's not hard to respond with a basic answer as I did so. You're not asking for a basic answer, you want exact instructions. I'm not a body man or a pro. I don't always have the time to write exact instructions. Putting down prep and paint instructions for fiberglass and gelcoat is argued all over the internet. And, I wrapped my car. But here's what I would recommend:
Go here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEE6SFUdpg