Wet sanding

[AdamXP800]

I have never wet sanded a ski but have acquired one that will require it. Can anyone give me some tips on this process?

Thanks



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

 

[soccerdad]

Well it depends on how bad the problem is and what color your are sanding. Mine was white. The white gelcoat is really hard stuff. Good news is that it is pretty thick too. See my Shamu thread. I had to go down to 220 grit to get out the worst yellowing ghosts around where the old stickers were. I used a small sanding block where I could and sometimes just my fingers. Then up to 320 then 400 then 600 , then 1000 then heavy cut compound then fine cut. If it is not too bad, 320 may be fine to start with. It all depends how much you want it to glow. Once you get through the discoloration, the other grits are very quick, just to remove the sand marks of the previous size. JSG has a good link somewhere on the buffing side, but I figure you already know that.

Good luck!

 

[AdamXP800]

96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

 

[skewba98z28]

I usually start at 500 and move all the way out to 2000. Use plenty of water and work at small areas. When finished buff it out with a wool pad on a buffer at 1500-1700 rpm. Any slower and it doesn't bring the shine out. I picked up the 7 inch buffer from Harbor Freight and its been fine. I've had best luck with a product called Wizards Turbo cut. Remember this is not auto paint so you can get aggressive with it. You have to or it will never shine up. I've done several skis and boats of various colors with this process. All of them came out great!

 

[Mickirig1]

It depends on what your sanding. I believe the hoods and color parts are paint on gel-coat. If you are trying to sand out duvets or gouges in the gel-coat might be better to fill them and sand flat. Start course like a 320 grit. just take the rough stuff off. Work up in number to get it smooth. Have a garden hose flowing a little water in one hand. Rinse off waste and keep paper wet. Cut paper in a square, fold up an edge 1/2 inch. Grip it with your thumb and use fingers flat to sand and follow contours. Paint defects can be filled with spot putty if you are repainting the surface. Let putty dry, then dry sand carefully with high number grit paper with a finger tip. Use cereal box cardboard for applicators of putty etc. Cut straight edges with scissors. Start at one end and flick to the other end. Let dry, sand flat. Still defect, do another fill with putty, sand flat again. Tack rag before you shoot paint.