Wet Sanding?

[play2win]

I have a black/silver metalflake Enchanter, and had every intention of repainting....until I wet sanded a tiny portion of boat yesterday, it came out really nice. I love the black/silver combination, and want to keep it that way. What are the proper steps involved with this. From reading other posts, it seems that Bill is the expert on the subject (I dont want to someone to do work, I want to do it!) What grit sanpaper? Clearcoating? Sequential steps, etc. I have pictures but will need someone e-mails address b/c I dont know how to post on this web-site (Chris has attempted to explain, but my incompetance with computers will not allow me to post any pics)

[play2win]

I have a black/silver metalflake Enchanter, and had every intention of repainting....until I wet sanded a tiny portion of boat yesterday, it came out really nice. I love the black/silver combination, and want to keep it that way. What are the proper steps involved with this. From reading other posts, it seems that Bill is the expert on the subject (I dont want to someone to do work, I want to do it!) What grit sanpaper? Clearcoating? Sequential steps, etc. I have pictures but will need someone e-mails address b/c I dont know how to post on this web-site (Chris has attempted to explain, but my incompetance with computers will not allow me to post any pics)

[senator-holland]

"Is there metal flake in the gel?
If there is it is a soild color boat there are a few things you can do to remove the
oxidation (white chaulkey stuff) from the jell.
You can use a buffing wheel and some mild rubbing compound to remove the
haze (watch out if you have any stick on stripes, I think checkmate puts the
stripes IN the finish) and then some good marine wax. I have done this on a
few older boats, came out great but does not work well with the metal flake.
The other way is to sand with 1st 600 grit wet sand paper, this is called
wet sanding, you sand the surface while running water in the path of the
sandpaper. It keeps the paper from cloggin up.
What you are doing with this is actualy removing the surface coating witch
has the oxidation, sand untill the oxidation is gone.
Then sand the spot down with 1000 grit and then polish with a good marine
polish. Do this on a small out of the way spot.
If there is metal flake in the finish then this will be a lot harder. When
the finish gets this worn, sanding or polishing with a buffer will lower the
finish, um how do i put this, it will feel rough when you run your hand over
it. This is the metal flake. If the finish is that far gone the only fix is
to have the top of the boat sanded down and then re-clear coated or jell
coated."

these are copy-right words of 175checkmate http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif
thanks again gus for your mail, i am busy on my boat to make it shiny again. post the before and after pic's overhere. after that i think i will try to sell the senator.

-----------------------------
helmich
Checkmate senator special edition V8 5.7L-260HP
info@oost-west.nl

[senator-holland]

the above was the answer to the problems i had: sunfade spots at my front deck and no shiny gel-coat.

-----------------------------
helmich
Checkmate senator special edition V8 5.7L-260HP
info@oost-west.nl

[play2win]

OK, here is my dumb question of the day. What exactly is clear-coat. In my mind, I picture a transparent substance that remarkably brings back shine to a paint job. The top of the boat feels like sandpaper, and I think it needs to be repainted. Can I incorporate flake into paint. Though, from the way I interpreted your last post, clear the top, and it will be black again? I had planned on wet sanding the sides of the top (top half of boat is removed due to transom replacement) where the flaking gradually increases to more silver flakes, and clear-coat it. Then, strip down top where it is all black w/silver flakes, and re-paint with flakes. Being that I have zero experience, I'm assuming this shot in the wind is wrong.

[175checkmate]

Yep clear is just that, clear paint. Just like any paint the surface must be preped for the paint. Sounds like (and looking at the pictures) you have metal flake. You will need to wet sand the oxidation out prior to painting the clear. I hate to say it but this is not a job for the beginner. Sanding no problem. But laying on the clearcoat (you will need more that one coat) is the hard part. Books have been written about mixing and spraying paint. The equipment needed and all the stuff to go with it. You may want to finish the transom, put the top back on. Sand down the boat. And look for some where to spray the clear. Most bodyshops can do this.

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/images/avatars/GusAvatar2.jpg
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1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop, Currently the boat is undergoing overhaul.

[bdusted440]

Shoot me some pics of it.I have alot of experiance in wet sanding and buffing boats.The steps to use depend on the gell condition and color. Solids are thicker and more forgiving.Metalics can be trickie to get to come out perfect.If you look at bdusteds ambasador thred you'll see it was in bad shape. A-lot of fading and chalking. Now it looks great.I'll help you out if I can.But gus is dead on clear coating a boat is NOT for the beginer.It's more of an art than a sience. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/devil.gif
PS You can always regell it.But you still have to sand it out and buff it.It all boils down to how much work you are willing to do.It all comes out the same in the end.LOL

[play2win]

I am willing to put in as much as it takes to make it right. Bdusted, I need your e-mail address so that I can send some pics over to you. thanks

[play2win]

When you sat regell, does that mean paint black? Or, is that the clear stuff?

[175checkmate]

I think he means re apply the gel coat. From what I have seen and read that is harder that spraying clear paint.
How's the transom comming along?

[bdusted440]

It,s bdusted440@aol.com. Yes I ment re apply the gel. Ive been practicing on a junk hull my buddy has.Can you say astalavista baby to those water stains on the ambasador. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif I'm finding its not that bad to do as long as you take you're time and follow the directions. Alot of clean up though. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[play2win]

Hello gentlemen, its been a while. Obviously, time off has not made me any smarter. What does re-apply gel coat mean? Paint black and add silver flakes? Anyway, transom has been on stand still this month, between weather and coaching after school, no time. Hopefully, this weekend I can go Epoxy crazy!! Everything is cut and ready to go. Oh yeah, 1 question - The contour of the transom for Enchanter is a real bitch, I tried my best with the use of templates to shape to correct size. There are, however, minimal spots where there are voids. What do I use to fill this in, and when in the process of applying cloth/epoxy/ply? Thanks fellas