Block Sanding and Buffing

[crafty]

Has anyone block sanded their car to get all of the swirls out of the gelcoat. Obviously these are more noticable on the black cars.

I was thinking of spraying a light mist of white on the car and then sanding it out, then buffing it.

Whats the best polish to use when buffing? Im thinking something that's used on boats may be the go.

[lvjost]

As mine is black too and I even have a pearl-finished lacquering instead of gel coat, I know what you´re talking about...Block sanding and hence working off some material scares me in respect to the fact, that there´s no redundant material built in by ultimasports Why don´t you use your body as pattern and laminate a new, smooth body, made of visible carbon ?

[mkoch1]

They sell paint in rattle cans called guide coat which is for exsactly what you are trying to do. You can use any regular paint but the trick is to not use enamel , only lacquer. Enamel tends to clog sand paper. 3m also makes a dry powder, but I think it's a black powder

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en

Just be carfull the gel coat is very thin in some places.

mark

[crafty]

What about polish for buffing. What does everyone use.. I tried to search, but its not having it today.

[ultimad]

On the subject of polish has anybody used Zaino products (vaguely remember a thread on this now come to mention it) ? I took a look yesterday at the product range and I'm still working out what the heck I would use to get a nice finish on the car fom the 10 zillion choices. I had no idea washing and polishing a car could be so damned complicated, can anybody simplify it or recommend anything for Gelcoat ?

[steve_d]

I just use MER but I'm more interested in getting the job over and done with than worry if it is the best finish that could be achieved.
Easy to apply and easy to buff. Can be added to final rinse water and left to dry rather than shammy. Dries to a white film that you then just buff up. Make sure there are no pockets of water in petrol filler and central clip catch otherwise it wets your buffing cloth and you have to go get another dry one.

Steve

[mkoch1]

when polishing gel coat molds or automotive clear coat I use 3m products

First Imperial Microfinishing Rubbing Compound then 3M Machine Applied Glazes

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en

3M Imperial Microfinishing Rubbing Compound, 06011, 1 Quart (US), 12 per case
Specially formulated medium cut, liquid compound for removal of 1200, 1500, and 2000 sand scratches in automotive or marine paints including clear coat finishes.

3M Id : 60-9800-1215-1
GTIN(UPC/EAN) : 0 00 51131 06011 1
Buyer's Part Number : 06011

3M Machine Applied Glazes
Machine applied glaze products used for final finishing, swirl mark removal, or cleaning minor imperfections in the paint finish. Designed to take advantage of the mechanical advantage of a polisher.

mark

[stevesyd]

Crafty,
You don't need to block sand, block sanding is for shaping in fact all you need to do is buff the car. This will remove the scratches, if you are are having trouble finding compound try looking under marine supplies or go to www.fibreglast.com. Fibregalst has a good forum aswell try asking the question in there.

Steve

[jschwartz]

Use a somewhat firm foam rubber hand sanding pad and wet 1500 grit followed by 2000 grit. When you sand use a rubber squeegee and look for the shiny spots (no need for a guide coat as you'll see the areas that need more work)
Then machine buff with the 2 or 3 compounds that 3M sell.