Sanding is the pits

[BruceM]

Definately the hardest part of building a boat is the sanding. I finally got some time to get back to my GV-11 and after coating the boat with 2 more coats of epoxy I am fairing the imperfections now, and there are many I did the inside 2 days ago with a mixture of epoxy and microballoons and maybe I added too much microballons because it was kind of hard to work with especially toward the end of the batch but I got it on there. It is still far from done but I haven't the patience for a flawless inside, just close is good enough for me. I don't want to be sanding through the glass tape like I did in some places Yesterday after sanding that all down again I flipped her over and decided to use the Quick-Fair product and I'm glad I did, it goes on so much smoother even though it is a pain to measure and mix. I hope I mixed it thouroghly enough. I got the last of the fairing on the outside done about 11:45 last night, I have no life, just in time to come in and watch the ball drop with the kids. Happy New Year!
So now it's back to sanding - uuuggghhhh
The motivation I need now is that I am that much closer to a finished product. I should be priming soon. The primer I have I believe is the Pre-Kote primer by Interlux to go under Brightsides paint. They are both 1 part paints. Will the primer fill in 60 grit scratches? I will use 150 grit on the outside today but I used 60 on the inside. Now today I have to sand the outside again and then install the sprayrail.

I don't know how you guys that build the larger boats do it, this 11 footer is taking me all kinds of time, maybe it's just me. But in the end I will have something I have always wanted - a boat I built myself

[TimeWalker]

Well I built a 15' and yes it took a lot of time sanding... but not THAT much time.... Strong tools.... changing paper often really helps in the sanding area... oh and a shop vac really saves on having to dump paper to often...


you weren't using a finishing sander were you?

[BruceM]

Not a finishing sander. I am just tired of sanding, I'm too fussy I guess and spend too much time on it.
I have a Festo Rotex random orbit sander and it is hooked up to a shopvac. Works well but the sander just died I have it apart and am trying to figure out the trouble, I think it is either dirty or the cord wire broke inside at the elbow. It cost me $512 new and I use it quite a bit sanding cabinets all the time with it. I'm sure I can get it working again.

I like that Quick-fair stuff, goes on smooth and dries fast.

[TimeWalker]

I'm going to be building one of the CS's in prep of that I've switched to air tools you really can't beat an air file for material removal

[ks8]

Once I got the knack of maneuvering the belt sander over the curves, I use it exclusively for the roughing out, except on inside curves. It is fast, but that is why you've got to get the motion and pressure down, or you will seal epoxy your boat a dozen times, which System Three won't mind at all!

ks

[JohnP]

My PC random orbital seized up. I took it apart and freed up the bearing. I'm blowing it out with my small compressor after use. I think a 4.5 inch angle grinder with a sanding wheel or a pneumatic sander is the way to go in the long run but who does that much epoxy sanding? I like the PC for other jobs I do and hate to ruin it on epoxy. I notice good sheet rock guys who have to make time use only the mud they need. I'm trying to do the same on my C-12. I sanded way too much on the FL 11. I'm also decreasing my standards.

[BruceM]

Yep, definately a big plus is to apply the epoxy evenly and do a good job with that part. I wasn't good at that but it gets better as you learn. Got the sander cleaned out, just dust I think because it works fine now. Bottom is all faired, both trasoms look sweet, the sides are ok. Now I am contemplating putting the spray rail on or not.

Thanks guys, I was just venting a little.

[jacquesmm]

With QuickFair, sanding and fairign can be done fast and is almost painless.

[PJPiercey]

Jacques right about the QuickFair. Once I got used to mixing it I find it three to four times faster to fair with. It holds its shape in the imperfections so you can often get the job done with one fill. You don't need to apply as thick and it sands easier. Anybody want to buy some microballoons


Paul Piercey

[BV]

Bruce
I'm getting ready to sand all the stuck up edges of fiberglass tape. One poster, probably jacques, mentioned filling the tape in with fairing material. Sounds like a lot of mix to cover those turned up edges. Someone else mentioned cutting them out with a razor knife (I was thinking chisel). What did you find was the best solution.

Thanks
BV