Wet Sanding with a Water Bug

[Seattleflyfisher]

I just wanted to give a shout out to a new toy I bought a few weeks ago. My winter project of respraying my 15' Hunter with Gel coat is complete and I had a little time to put to test my Hutchins Water bug this afternoon in the garage. Now I wish I had bought this product 3 years ago because it would have saved so much of my life. While just holding the handle the Water bug just vibrates and wham! The gel coat is smooth! Just unreal......I know some are thinking this could be a product that could hurt your boat but I have hand sanded my last 3 boats and with this product you just watch and move it......I am just stunned and I will leave it at that.

I uesed 600 grit 3M paper and my next round will be 1500. I could probably stop now but since I have the 1500 I will go over it. Buffing with a light compound could also replace the 1500 but I am curious to see how it works.


SFF

[ak-angler]

Ooooooh... I'm gonna hafta get me one of those. Where'd ya get it?

[Seattleflyfisher]

I picked it up on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251380898680

For sandpaper I am using 3m Purple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350726019954?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649


This water bug would be great for any type of gel coat repair or complete restoration project.


SFF

[Seattleflyfisher]

Before buying a Hutchins sander I did a lot of research of quality for these kind of products. There are clones on ebay but this is a USA product so I care about our jobs.



SFF

[ak-angler]

Hmmm... After looking at the air requirements, I don't think my current compressor would be sufficient. Might have to look at upgrading the compressor!

[Seattleflyfisher]

This is what I'm using. While it is not a speed daemon it works great.

[croaker stroker]

I have a similar sander called a "Dynabrade".

You do need a lot of air to run this one.  I use mine all the time for various sanding Jobs.  I use an Emglo Contractors compressor and I have to periodically wait for it to catch up.

Be careful because with the 600 grit, it is easy to sand through if you get complacent. (This is from a voice of experience)   

[ak-angler]

Your compressor shows 5.6 CFM @ 90 psi.   ...   from what I see on the 'Net, the sander requires 11 CFM @ 90 psi.

But, it worked OK for you at half of the required flow rate?

[Seattleflyfisher]

When I first started to use it I noticed it appeared slow, but I just watched it and I was shocked to see some orange peel I had just disappear. Most of my spraying was great but when I moved the sander over the area I could see it just flatten out like glass. So, for what I need it works great. If I had a big shop and really wanted to burn through gel coat then more compressor might be nice.  I spent so much time spraying gel coat I do not want to burn the gel coat.


SFF

[Seattleflyfisher]

Croaker, does your compressor have more power then mine?





SFF

[croaker stroker]

Croaker, does your compressor have more power then mine?

SFF

No. Mine is only 4 CFM at 90 lbs. 

I sand for 5 min. Then wait for it to catch up, then sand for 5 min. more.    

My arm needs to rest every 5 min. anyway.   

[ak-angler]

Well, it sounds like one of these units may work just fine with my compressor. Of course, that doesn't mean I can't upgrade my compressor anyway... It does seem to struggle to keep up when I run the media blasting cabinet.  :whistle:

[croaker stroker]

Save your money and buy a cheap electric orbital sander from Home Depot. 

[Seattleflyfisher]

I am so done with the orbital sander. I like the wet sander!

Just trying to understand why I like a wet sander. It seems like I can work slower and not burn gel coat. The water is nice to use.

Croaker,   Why do you like the orbital sander......



SFF

[croaker stroker]

Croaker,   Why do you like the orbital sander......

SFF

I have both types of orbital sanders pneumatic (Dynabrade) and electric (Porter Cable) Both have their place. Both can be used for wet sanding gel coat.

[Salmon King]

Croaker you need to explain how you are wet sanding with an electric RAS.

I did my boat by hand a 3 yrs. ago...don't want to EVER do that again.
But I have never been happy with how it turned out and I really want to do the job over right.

I wonder if thee is someplace that rents a wet sander...

[Seattleflyfisher]

Terry, if you are ever serious about putting some lipstick on your pig      Just ask me, and you can borrow it.


SFF

[Salmon King]

Darren...that is one of the most generous offersI have ever recieved... Thank you, and I will...

[croaker stroker]

[/quote]

Croaker you need to explain how you are wet sanding with an electric RAS.

I have a pad with Velcro hook on the sander. I buy 3M wet sandpaper from a local automotive paint supplier (Senik Paint) with the loop backing. I stick the sandpaper on the sander. I wet the surface to be sanded and sand away. I carry a small bucket of water and a wet rag to re-wet and clean the surface as I go.

Same method SFF uses with the pneumatic.

[ak-angler]

<------ Not a huge fan of mixing water with electric power tools.

And, I'd think that water flowing through the sander would provide a more consistent wetting than splashing water on from a bucket.

And, who wants to deal with carrying a bucket of water around when you don't have to?

And, cool tools are... well, cool.   :biggrin:

[croaker stroker]

Yep. It's cool.

Just say'in. If you want to try your hand at it. And don't want to spend all that money....$$$.    :twocents:

<------ Not a huge fan of mixing water with electric power tools.

Hmm. Surprising, since you are a wing nut fan.    :whistle:

[ak-angler]

My wing nuts are as secure as any hex nut. And they sure as heck aren't going to electrocute me.... 

[croaker stroker]

 

I haven't been electrocuted yet.  (Well, not by wet sanding anyway)

Tip....you can prevent the water from beading up on the fresh gel coat by adding a drop of dish soap to the bucket of water.

[ak-angler]

I haven't been electrocuted yet.  (Well, not by wet sanding anyway)

That's the beauty of freedom.  Individuals get to make their own risk assessment decisions, based on whatever criteria they so choose. While I have obviously come to a different conclusion, I certainly respect your right to make your own choice. I just hate to see somebody making such decisions without understanding the risks. :arms:

[Markshoreline]

Wing nuts vs. lugnuts?  How's a mother to choose??? :biggrin: