Cleaning Body - Prior to Slick Sand | Help

[Padawan]

Good Afternoon,
I sanded the body down awhile ago and removed all of the gelcoat, then finished out the build. I enjoyed driving the car so much I stopped working on it.

Now I've just got to paint the car...

Issue:
-Sanded down all the gelcoat exposing the raw fiberglass to the road, while continuing to work on the car, then putting a lot of miles on it

Concerns:
-All the dirt and grease/oils that has got on or socked into the fiberglass body since I removed the protective gelcoat

Question:
What do I need to do to clean the body prior to laying down the slick sand?


Thanks in advance

[rich grsc]

Not a clue, but why would sand off the gelcoat? NOT supposed to do that

[gbranham]

Could you post a picture of the current state of your roadster body? I don't think you did what you're saying....sanding off the gelcoat.

[GoDadGo]

I wiped down the body with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol several times before we started the sanding process.
This removed majority of the mold release wax that gets bonded to the body in the lay up process.
Once the bodywork was done I used a degreaser that I purchased from an auto paint store.
Shown below are my body work videos which may or may not help you:

#1 / https://youtu.be/_3sLamdkIFg

#2 / https://youtu.be/meBYeI96_A8

#3 / https://youtu.be/6QXWP5H8mT0

#4 / https://youtu.be/6UK6K2jcwTU

#5 / https://youtu.be/po1Bb2_XDDk

#6 / https://youtu.be/FVMCA4_UZHU

#7 / https://youtu.be/V38Jajo_qOQ

#8 / https://youtu.be/ELFJDOVKb4g

#9 / https://youtu.be/A0Jb1tjjtPU

Graduation / https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

3 Year Update / https://youtu.be/iwslgKJUaKc

Good Luck & Happy Sanding!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Yes, can you elaborate on “sanded down all of the gelcoat exposing raw fiberglass…” Like, ALL of it?

Jeff

[Padawan]

Yes, can you elaborate on “sanded down all of the gelcoat exposing raw fiberglass…” Like, ALL of it?

Jeff

These are some of the images of the car…


199983199982199981199980

I’ve driven the car quite a bit after sanding. Now I’m trying to figure out how to clean the body before laying down slick sand.

[Jeff Kleiner]

OK good, you have sanded the gelcoat but not through all of it as your first post made it sound. Once your bodywork is completed I'd give it all a good heavy scrubbing with Scotchbrite and Simple Green followed by power washing then another round with Scotchbrite and wax & grease remover and another power wash. Then sit it in hot sun for a few days to completely dry out. I'm going to assume that you know that Slick Sand and the other Polyester high build primers are permeable and you can not expose them to the elements and road grime.

It's really not a good idea to expose open 'glass and body filler to the elements which is why when guys ask about knocking down parting lines while still driving my recommendation is to just leave it alone until you can at least get it under an impermeable catalyzed sealer. You can refer back to the info I gave you uover 3 years ago:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?39561-Body-Work-Plan-Roadster-Thoughts

Good luck!

Jeff

[rvanstory]

Here's the product I like for "pre-paint" removal of contaminants. It's not cheap, but very effective.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/masterpro-refinishing/paint---body/paint-prep/paint---acetone---pre-paint-cleaners/ec9e654dcaa4/masterpro-refinishing-1-gallon-wax-and-grease-remover/mpr0/59001?q=paint+-+acetone+%26+pre-paint+cleaners&pos=4