How to Wet Sand a Boat Properly ⛵️ (Remove Fiberglass Oxidation & Restore Faded Gelcoat)

[@toyota5125]

Looks great! If you’re scared to do this I would suggest starting by hand! with 800 grit and going all the way to highest level of paper you can get.. did my 04 skeeter bass boat and it turned out great!! Looks like new again! Take your time keep the paper wet and don’t move to the next grit too fast! Work in small areas and keeping the paper wet is the most important part. Get a bucket of water and keep it soaked! Good luck. Thanks for the video!

[@themobileboatguys6186]

Nice video. I work with some guys that have over 70 years experience spraying gel-coat and color matching they restore a lot boats. They say “reds” are a pain in the butt. In my experience I have to agree. Nice work boss!

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Thanks man!! Red and black. Always!!!! Hard to get even.

[@edwards8891]

Nah Dark Blue!

[@greggkathy1892]

Get me the name of the gelcoat matching guys, please. I got a 1994 SeaRay 220 BRS that was repaired with mating paint that I need to repair properly with gelcoat. Yep, it is red. 🙄

[@gregg9448]

⁠​⁠@@greggkathy1892I have a 26’ Sea Chaser and I got the paint name and code from Carolina Skiff and still couldn’t find my gelcoat online anywhere. Finally, The Boathouse here in Port Charlotte told me that alot of it is made by Spectrum. He said go online and I should be able to find it. If you google Spectrum color it will come up. I was just able to order some about 30 minutes ago online. They offered it by the gallon, quart or pint I don’t remember, and a 2 ounce kit. I only needed to repair some holes where my old underwater lights were so 2 ounces was enough. If you’re still looking hopefully this will help you.

[@ricardocheing4304]

Hi, what DA tool and rotary buffer do you recommend for the DIY? I'm not looking to do this professionally but I do own two boats which I would like to bring out the shine. One of the boats, I removed the registration numbers and you can still see them as "shadows" on the hull. This particular boat's hull still has a decent shine but the numbers thing is bothering me and I figured that now that I have the numbers off, it would be good idea to at least compound the hull and I am hoping I can remove the shadows with just compound rather than wet sanding. Thanks in advance!

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Hi there. I teach an online course that literally covers this exact information. From how to use each machine, compounds, swirl and oxidation removal. My TikTok has all my best videos and suck. @swflmarinedetailing.

[@bido8176]

Can you wetsand with a good oribital sander like a Makita? Any risk of electrical? What speeds if so?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Yes you can, gotta make sure the sandpaper is for boats only….and a low-medium speed and medium arm pace.

[@boblapointe112]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@paulshafer6142]

Great job hard work pays of babyyyyyyyyyy lets goo

[@tommydaniels502]

How do you wet sand at the stern of the boat, where there's a ladder and other things that stop you from being able to get your DA machine in there? Do you sand it by hand? Also, when you remove the decals, what's the process of replacing them?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Yeah man. Either by hand or I use my mini polisher. It has a 1” attachment that works amazing!

[@tommydaniels502]

@@Swflmarinedetail Thank you!! Have you ever heard of someone using a much larger DA or rotary tool to efficiently detail a large boat? Like 12" or something?

[@alainmurray4159]

Great helpful videos. If a hull is still shiny at the end of the season, do I have to make a compound, polish and wax job or I can only wax? Thanks

[@Swflmarinedetail]

I would always do a very light cut/polish before applying any sort of sealant. Need to open up the pores of the gel so it accepts the sealant.

[@Barry11997]

How do you like that buffer. I've been wanting a cordless Dewalt. That's the only one we don't have yet.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Meh. I went back to a corded one. The battery one bogs down too much.

[@Barry11997]

@@Swflmarinedetail that's what I was concerned of. 😟

[@gregg9448]

What grit would you recommend using to sand down high spots on a gel coat? I just replaced some underwater lights on my boat and the new lights screw holes don’t line up. I filled the old holes with a gel coat but have a couple areas that need sanded. I’m in SWFL too, Port Charlotte.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Once you sand you’ll need to buff as well, try some 600,800,1000 grit. Just like that in succession.

[@gregg9448]

@@Swflmarinedetail Thank you for the response. I appreciate the help.

[@miafrench9688]

Great Affordable Sander

[@mattlord2906]

Does a buffer machine rotate the same as the DA sander. Or is the buffer an angle grinder with a buffer pad on it?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

A DA is called a “dual action”, it rotated away from the center 6-8mm so it caused a random orbital effect. It doesn’t spin in a tight circle like a buffer does. A buffer is different from an angle grinder. 2 different machines. Buffer spins in a circle and you can control speeds. I don’t believe you can control speeds on a grinder. In this business you’ll need a rotary buffer, long throw polisher and a DA.

[@thomasloper1205]

I want to update the lettering on my ski boat but I'm afraid of the ghosting that will be under them. The hull is white right there though and still pretty shiny for 20 years old. Can I sand out the ghosting on a white section of hull?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Yeah for sure. Gonna have to get pretty aggressive with the ghost letters, but it can be done. Might have to do a few rounds of 600,800,1000 until there aren’t any lips left.

[@bparks_5095]

Man I wanna do this to my boat so bad but I’m scared! Anytime I’ve ever wet sanded automotive clearcoat it’s been a disaster, seems I can never get the haze out. Maybe gel coat is more forgiving, but when you said you were starting out with 320 grit my heart skipped a beat not gonna lie 😂

[@pierret8954]

My boat hadn't been done for 16 years. I started with 600,1000,3000, compound, polish, then wax. My Boat looked new, like a mirror

[@troytipton13]

Did you switch from a DA when you were sanding to a rotary buffer when you were polishing

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Da to sand. Rotary buffer with a heavy cut, then a forced rotation to polish

[@greggkathy1892]

How do you get the bilge trim grommet off?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

This was plastic. Just cracked it off. Then replace. Needed it anyways. Lol.

[@esbalska3565]

I have a bass boat with a bright red sparkly gel coat and it is absolutely faded. 0 shine. The sparkles shine a little but the coat is faded as ever. Can someone point me in the right direction of a good grinder for this? Im guessing i cant just use a milwaukee or dewalt angle grinder? Or maybe i can? Does it gotta be a certain rpm like buffing?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

You’re already looking at about $1,000 of maxhines and products. Hire someone who knows what they’re doing. This isn’t a diy type situation. I’m in Florida if you need help!

[@studley4sure471]

Where are u located? Website? Got a 20ft ranger that needs your expertise

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Yes sir. Fort Myers!!! How about yourself?

[@thatotherguy1]

Nice job, thanks for sharing.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

You’re welcome!!

[@troytipton13]

I'm working on a 1988 38' Carver yacht. It had a lot of mold, mildew and algea on it when we bought the boat. We hired a pressure washing company to pressure wash the boat. It appears they used bleach in their pressure washer and it etched the gelcoat. Will sanding and polishing bring that back do you think? Or am I just screwed? Lol

[@Swflmarinedetail]

The only way you can see etching is by holding a light up to it to look for scratches. What you’re probably seeing is cleaner sections than others. But guess the next step for you should be to hire someone who actually knows how to wet sand buff and polish and seal properly

[@t-dog8528]

Well damn after reading the comments i feel i stuffed up, I took the name paint off my glass boat with 240gr on a 2 inch drill pad it worked a treat but there's still ghosting, i moved onto 320 then 600 then did the whole side with 800, there's a few small scratches i sanded out with the 800 too, I'm a bit hesitant to polish with that ghosting but am concerned about using the more abrasive discs again. Edit, the boat is 20 years old and white.

[@chuckstallings5206]

Why use the fluffy pad for compound and not a more firm foam pad?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Wool pad goes on the rotary, which is the next step of scratch removal after sanding. The foam pad is for getting out the swirls that the wool pad leaves behind.

[@josemanuelbautista3996]

Nice job sir

[@johndollarhide2574]

Every video always shows how to do the big giant flat spot on the sides! We need to know the secrets of how to sand those stupid scallop lines in the top cap above the rail. 😆 That's the secret I need!

[@Swflmarinedetail]

I’ll usually do it by hand, or a mini polisher

[@esbalska3565]

I got told I had to do it by hand... not me out here for 4 hours pushing sand paper by hand 😭😂 hopefully this video helps!

[@howiealderdice6386]

How much should I pay for someone to do that to my boat where I live. I have a 1989 18 ft Sea Ray outboard.

[@brandonthorbahn2405]

When I wet sand I use a 5 gallon bucket and put a couple drops of dawn soap in it. Works like gang busters.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Ohhhh good idea!!!!

[@brandonthorbahn2405]

Hell yeah, just dip your sander in the bucket and let er rip. I used to do the garden hose thing too and thought of this and it saves so much time!

[@dougscroggins3433]

❤. Thanks

[@rickydavis1903]

hello do you have an email for contacting you? I have a boat and was wanting to send some pictures to you to see what you recommend. Thanks.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

You can send them in my Instagram. Southwest Florida marine detailing

[@Seaward1224]

Have you ever tried wet sanding over the vinyl graphics on a boat and does the wet sanding also work on them to remove oxidation?

[@Swflmarinedetail]

I’ll never sand over decals, I’ll buff over them though quickly so they don’t melt. 9/10 times I’ll take the decals off and replace.

[@greggkathy1892]

Do you have a source for custom vinly pinstriping?

[@crowdsurferx]

I would have stopped at at least 1500 grit, even 2000 dry sanding. Dry sanding is quicker, and with a higher grit you will spend less time on the buffer.

[@brian1715]

Good video but starting at 320 grit is way too aggressive. You’re going to take away way too many micron layers of your gel coat after you do this a few times you literally will be burning through it. You can get away with starting at an 800 or 1000 on a DA and then go up from there to maybe a 2500 and buff it off of that This method you’re doing would take way too much time to get rid of all your sanding marks, but that’s just my opinion There is definitely more than one way to do the job. It’s just what I’ve seen work for me over many years. The coarser u go on your paper, the more steps you have to take and you will always have swirl marks left over some places

[@Swflmarinedetail]

How do you think I ended up at 320? Lol, it’s because all the others didn’t work.

[@brian1715]

Gotcha well either way good job

[@Kreasearch]

Go to 500 abralon after abranets.

[@henrymoon3275]

320 scares the shit out of me. I don't start under 1000, that's just me and I don't do it for a living but i've owned plenty of old oxidized boats.

[@bilalsdetailingpressurewas7997]

Good job but 320 is deep-deep......I never go under 800, afterwards 1000 & then step it out ..... compound, polish & wax.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Super deep man!!!! 400 couldn’t even get it out.

[@homegrownpyrotechnics70-30]

@@Swflmarinedetail I have a 1980 Grady and I'm getting the oxidation off but the problem I'm having is there's little tiny pits that won't come out with just 600 grit so I may have to go a little deeper? That's why I guess they say every boat is different. It just suck's cause you don't really know how thick your gel coat really is???? 😂

[@Swflmarinedetail]

@@homegrownpyrotechnics70-30 little tiny pits is simply old gelcoat. It’s old and breaking down and starting to wear thin. Not much you can do now but keep it sealed and don’t let it oxidize again.

[@sportyj2420]

come on man, 500 grit, 1000 grit, starke level r heavy cut compound, starke elevate medium compound, sealant

[@Swflmarinedetail]

500 grit didn’t touch it. Had to go all the way down to 320. It was unreal!

[@brianmooney7009]

Always a negative nelly. Boat looks great. Ty for tips

[@edwards8891]

Wet sanding means to me the person doesn't care about their boat and probably won't pay what it costs to be done right! What has been your experience? I'm starting out my own thing after 5 years+ working for others.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Wet sanding is a must when the gelcoat has completely failed, the top layer. I find when I explain it correctly to the customer, they understand the process and will oblige. I’ve done it a bunch so I just show them past results, and they love it. It’s all in the presentation.

[@tedschmitt178]

Seems like anything coarser than about 800 grit is too coarse. Just my experience.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

I wish that’s all it took, I’ve done 400grit multiple times, about to do it again tomorrow on a black boat, deep oxidation!

[@angelgomez8377]

are you wet sanding with a electric sander?no way bro

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Oh yes bro!!! Works really well.

[@mdhphil]

45degree shots in the afternoon sun shows nothing of what this job is about. I’m sorry friend. Show us this process pointing directly on the gel coat and in direct sunlight. That’s when you see the quality of your work. I also feel that you’re using WAY to much product on your pad. Rubbing and polishing is not about using force at all. It tells you that you’ve not done the wetsanding steps good enough. IMO - just what I see in this video. Good luck. Looks like you made it to the finish line.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Got it. So you come move the sun for me to get that straight on shot. This video is simply made to show the process. And I like to use more compound than less so it covers the area evenly to ensure I get the most sanding scratches out that I can without it coming out splotchy. Thanks friend. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@Local_Boydidgood]

In my humble opinion, compound is all you need. A rotary and a wool pad. I'd have that gelcoat done in no less than 6 hours and it'd last. If you took me seriously, you'd make more money and have more time for better boats and more clients. Wetsanding is so 20th century. Even done right, waste of time 99% of the time.

[@Swflmarinedetail]

Lol compound didn’t do anything to this gelcoat. It was wayyyy too cooked. Heavy cut didn’t dig as deep as needed. Had to wet sand and step it up from there.

[@northatlanticboatworks2540]

The boat looks great, there's always somebody here that has no real experience that has to put their two cents in instead of saying oh I know more just say nice job, don't be a