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Author Topic:   wet sanding on a 22 outrage

townes1018 posted 07-23-2013 08:52 AM ET (US)
I have a 89 outrage with stains where some stainless was mounted...I have tried several methods to remove....any experience with light wet sanding on gel coat?
Marko888 posted 07-23-2013 10:12 AM ET (US)
You can wet sand gelcoat, but you want to use as fine of paper as possible. I'd suggest starting with 2000 and if that doesn't work, step down to 1500. I find 2000 works well to remove tiny imperfections at the surface.
Be careful not to overdo it, as you'll end up with tiny pockets in the gelcoat if you take too much material off. It's a good idea to wax sooner after as well to reseal the surface.

Plotman posted 07-23-2013 01:22 PM ET (US)
Have you tried barkeepers friend? It has oxyalic acid in it and it will do a great job on rust stains. Try it before resorting to sanding.
Make a poultice (damp/wet paste) and let it sit for a while. Then scrub. Repeat as necessary
Binkster posted 07-23-2013 01:34 PM ET (US)
You can sand and polish those spots, and it will make your gelcoat smooth and glossy and then you will want to to the whole boat. Whether you will have the ambition to do it is up to you, but if you don't then you will have guilt feelings, when you see the boat, so you will avoid it, and finally end up in a shrink's office, where he will medicate you, and you will forget about everything. Not good, find another way.
rich
andygere posted 07-23-2013 02:45 PM ET (US)
I second the suggestion for Barkeepers Friend, it does a pretty good job on rust. I'd try a marine compound designed for gelcoat before sanding if Barkeepers doesn't get rid of it. You will need to polish out where you sanded anyway, so why not try a less abrasive method first?
townes1018 posted 07-23-2013 04:31 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the advice will proceed as advised
L H G posted 07-23-2013 05:50 PM ET (US)
I would not use BarKeepers Friend. It is simply oxalic acid in an ABRASIVE powder form. It is for stainless steel restaurant equipment, not gelcoat. It will fine scratch (dull) your gelcoat surface, then requiring wet sanding and buffing to restore gloss.
Rust can be difficult to remove from gelcoat, but first try the liquid rust removers, including LIQUID oxalic acid. If none of those will cut it, [follow] Marko888's recommendation.
After wet sanding, use 3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Material to restore gloss, applied with a buffer.
townes1018 posted 07-23-2013 10:43 PM ET (US)
Glad to report I tried the Barkeepers friend and it did a fantastic job,,, I applied it very lightly and it looked great...applied wax...good as new...thanks

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Author	Topic: wet sanding on a 22 outrage
townes1018	posted 07-23-2013 08:52 AM ET (US) I have a 89 outrage with stains where some stainless was mounted...I have tried several methods to remove....any experience with light wet sanding on gel coat?
Marko888	posted 07-23-2013 10:12 AM ET (US) You can wet sand gelcoat, but you want to use as fine of paper as possible. I'd suggest starting with 2000 and if that doesn't work, step down to 1500. I find 2000 works well to remove tiny imperfections at the surface. Be careful not to overdo it, as you'll end up with tiny pockets in the gelcoat if you take too much material off. It's a good idea to wax sooner after as well to reseal the surface.
Plotman	posted 07-23-2013 01:22 PM ET (US) Have you tried barkeepers friend? It has oxyalic acid in it and it will do a great job on rust stains. Try it before resorting to sanding. Make a poultice (damp/wet paste) and let it sit for a while. Then scrub. Repeat as necessary
Binkster	posted 07-23-2013 01:34 PM ET (US) You can sand and polish those spots, and it will make your gelcoat smooth and glossy and then you will want to to the whole boat. Whether you will have the ambition to do it is up to you, but if you don't then you will have guilt feelings, when you see the boat, so you will avoid it, and finally end up in a shrink's office, where he will medicate you, and you will forget about everything. Not good, find another way. rich
andygere	posted 07-23-2013 02:45 PM ET (US) I second the suggestion for Barkeepers Friend, it does a pretty good job on rust. I'd try a marine compound designed for gelcoat before sanding if Barkeepers doesn't get rid of it. You will need to polish out where you sanded anyway, so why not try a less abrasive method first?
townes1018	posted 07-23-2013 04:31 PM ET (US) Thanks for the advice will proceed as advised
L H G	posted 07-23-2013 05:50 PM ET (US) I would not use BarKeepers Friend. It is simply oxalic acid in an ABRASIVE powder form. It is for stainless steel restaurant equipment, not gelcoat. It will fine scratch (dull) your gelcoat surface, then requiring wet sanding and buffing to restore gloss. Rust can be difficult to remove from gelcoat, but first try the liquid rust removers, including LIQUID oxalic acid. If none of those will cut it, [follow] Marko888's recommendation. After wet sanding, use 3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Material to restore gloss, applied with a buffer.
townes1018	posted 07-23-2013 10:43 PM ET (US) Glad to report I tried the Barkeepers friend and it did a fantastic job,,, I applied it very lightly and it looked great...applied wax...good as new...thanks