Improving gelcoat

[PaulMys]

Those look like low spots that the pad/product isn't reaching. Is the gel coat as rough as the pics make it out to be?

[58LesPaul]

No, it feels rather smooth. Do you think a MF pad will take care of it? Do I need a different compound?

Thanks

[gdubs4013]

I think you will need to wet sand to get it perfectly smooth.


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[58LesPaul]

So I assume this is orange peel and my compound is not getting to the low spots? Was it sprayed with the orange peel or does it develop over time?

[PaulMys]

Very few smaller (high production) boats have smooth gel coat. It's quite thin, and not cost effective for the company to wet sand it perfectly smooth.

[58LesPaul]

So what grit should I wet sand with? Is there specific sandpaper for wet sanding? Am I gonna have start with 800 then go to 2000 and 3000, or what do you all think?

[PaulMys]

Gonna have to defer to the experts here, man. I'm a marine mechanic, not a 'glass guy. But, I've seen our 'glass guys sand, spray new gel coat, then use a fast-drying blue dye to see where & how much to sand to get it completely flat in each grit stage.

Seeing as how your boat appears black in the pics......... Hmmmm. Not sure of the next step here. But, I'll bet Mike knows.