How to compound / polish boat (gel coat) with RO 150 FEQ

[mhtimber]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for guidance on how to polish and/or compound the gel coat on my boat using the RO 150 FEQ.  In searching the forum I have not found this exact topic and I'm new to polishing, buffing, compounding in general so hoping to get some guidance on how to do it with this tool.  I have looked at the accessories and seen the various pads.

The boat is a 32' 2006 Sea Ray with a blue hull, so very costly boat that I need to take great care with.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[tbellemare]

Jeff:

I haven't polished gel coat with it, but in general, you want to use the gear driven mode for polishing. You probably also want to slow it down with compound or you'll likely sling it all over.

Tom

 

[peter halle]

You might also want to try www.talkfestool.com and do a search for gelcoat.  There a couple of threads there just on this.

 

[Dan Clark]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for guidance on how to polish and/or compound the gel coat on my boat using the RO 150 FEQ.  In searching the forum I have not found this exact topic and I'm new to polishing, buffing, compounding in general so hoping to get some guidance on how to do it with this tool.  I have looked at the accessories and seen the various pads.

The boat is a 32' 2006 Sea Ray with a blue hull, so very costly boat that I need to take great care with.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

Jeff,

It turns out that one of our members - Hasslefactor (Laurie) - did exactly that on her sailboat, Black Magic.  She used an RO150 and got great results.

As an intro, this is a VERY good, pro-quality video of Laurie polishing their boat: http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/woodworkers-cafe/2062-marv-work-movie.html#post25802, with commentary in other posts.  Her husband is a professional videographer.  The larger YouTube version: One Hull of a Job

These threads contain a detailed description of the process, tools, and materials used:
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-projects/1980-shiny-boat-project-introduction.html
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-projects/1911-shiny-boat-project-preface.html
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-tools/1864-hello-gelcoat-meet-rotex.html
http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/meet-members/1860-admiral-hasslefactor-reporting.html

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. Laurie is also a member of FOG: http://festoolownersgroup.com/profile/?u=6239 .

 

[Corwin]

Yeah, Peter beat me to it.  You can start reading with the "Hello Gelcoat Meet Rotex" thread.

On Edit:  Man, you guys are quick.

 

[mhtimber]

You might also want to try www.talkfestool.com and do a search for gelcoat.  There a couple of threads there just on this.

Terrific, thanks for the pointer!

Cheers
Jeff

 

[mhtimber]

Yeah, Peter beat me to it.  You can start reading with the "Hello Gelcoat Meet Rotex" thread.

On Edit:  Man, you guys are quick.

Peter, Dan, and Corwin.....much appreciated; just what I needed. 

Will do my homework and proceed from there.

Regards
Jeff

 

[Dan Clark]

Jeff,

Post any questions you have.  I'll be happy to help.  Maybe Laurie will drop by too.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[mhtimber]

Jeff,

Post any questions you have.  I'll be happy to help.  Maybe Laurie will drop by too.

Regards,

Dan.

Thanks Dan; and I will send a PM to Laurie.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[hasslefactor]

Hi Jeff!

One of the most satisfying projects I have ever (EVER!) undertaken in my life was restoring the gelcoat on Black Magic, our 28' Precision sailboat. The links to the tF threads posted above will help you get started (and illustrate just how much help I had from so many wonderful  members of that forum - most of whom are members here as well).

I have been promising for months to write up the whole process in detail from start to finish - I'm afraid you're not the only one who wants it! I will try to get that done over the next couple of days, and will post it here and at tF.

You may want to start thinking about a way to suspend your Rotex. I used a snatch block attached to the life line, and another block attached to the boom (with the counterweight hanging down into the cabin). That tip - and Dan's suggestion to invest in a portable scaffold - were absolute life savers.

Good luck!

 

[mhtimber]

Hi Jeff!

One of the most satisfying projects I have ever (EVER!) undertaken in my life was restoring the gelcoat on Black Magic, our 28' Precision sailboat. The links to the tF threads posted above will help you get started (and illustrate just how much help I had from so many wonderful  members of that forum - most of whom are members here as well).

I have been promising for months to write up the whole process in detail from start to finish - I'm afraid you're not the only one who wants it! I will try to get that done over the next couple of days, and will post it here and at tF.

You may want to start thinking about a way to suspend your Rotex. I used a snatch block attached to the life line, and another block attached to the boom (with the counterweight hanging down into the cabin). That tip - and Dan's suggestion to invest in a portable scaffold - were absolute life savers.

Good luck!

Hi Laurie, thanks so much for your reply and the suggestion about suspending the Rotex.  We launched our 17' bow rider today so I can get out to our summer home on an island and get it opened for the season; next step is working on the gel coat on the big boat before we launch her in the next week or so.

Cheers
Jeff