Wet Sanding

[dm567]

How do you prepare a gel coat for a spray finish like awlgrip?

The yard only allows wet sanding. Can wet sanding be done with something like a porter-cable random orbit sander?

DM

[billangiep]

I would suggest using an air type D/A but if the yard allows paint spraying why couldn't you use an electric palm sander with a wet/dry vacuum attached?

[ulpilotrmh]

The yard where I will be doing my "Bottom Job" allows me to use a random orbit sander with a vacuum attachment as long as I tape Visqueen all around the boat to keep the dust contained. The vacuum will not catch all the dust. I'll be inside the plastic enclosure with a good resperator and protective clothing.

[ulpilotrmh]

You cannot wet sand with the PC random orbit sander, or any other electric sander.

[dm567]

Is there any sander that you can wet sand with? How about an air operated sander?

Do any yards allow sanding, other than wet sanding?

DM

[1970Columbia34]

how big of a boat are you wanting to paint? Ask the yard about spraying with HVLP equipment? there is alot less over spray with hvlp and you are more in contol of the paint.

Scott

[dm567]

The boat is a 34 foot fisher by Northshore yachts.

The yard doesn't allow owner to spray. I have a HVLP setup but didn't ask if I could use that. I'll ask. I'll also ask about taping Viqueen all around and using a dry sander with a vacuum. I have a feeling the answer will be no and no.

I was planning on doing the prep work myself and then paying them by the hour to spray. I can't justify their yard rates for sanding. But they won't allow dry sanding so I have to figure something out. I don't want to wet sand the whole boat by hand. I bet they don't.

Does anyone know of any setup where there is a wet air sander? Or any other suggestions?

[wildcard]

Rather than start another thread, since Im in the same boat, so to speak, can someone tell us how this is generaly done? I too would like to do most of the work myself, prep wise anyway. Thanks.

[1970Columbia34]

the boat needs to be fully scrubbed with a wax and grease remover then sanded with 150-220 grit paper then primed with awlgrip 545 primer min 2 coats. the the primer needs to be sanded with 320 the painted with the awlgrip 2-3 coats. Plus to mention any scratches of cracks needs to be filled and sanded smooth. If your going to paint a dark color take your time with the prep work. every little mark will show, so take extra special care in the prep work.

why not consider rolling and tipping, people all the time get the same professional sprayed results with this method, yes it takes longer but you can do it on your own. And i would make sure to talk to your marina about you doing the prep work and them painting. I can easily see them have a poor finish and blame it on the prep work not the painter.

[wildcard]

Rolling and tipping? Sorry for my ignorance but this is my first plastic boat. Not to hijack but I was told to paint rather than awlgrip?