wet sanding a new paint job

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BoatCrazy

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Hey all

I recently painted the topside of a project boat. ive used Imron paint, so I know its good paint.

Right now it needs to be wetsanded. How in the world do I do this???

If anyone has been in this situation before Id love to hear from you.

I need to know grit of the paper, how much water to be used, and once I wetsand, how do i get that new boat shine???

Thanks in advance!!!
 
I didnt think Imron was supposed to be sanded. You need to check with dupont. Why do you think it needs sanding??
 
I think it needs to be sanded, because the paint is dull, plus to fix some runs in the paint and small imperfections
 
If you are planning to wet sand in preparation for a next, final, coat, then that's fine. However, with Imron, you do not "wet sand" to get that "new boat shine".

I'm trying to figure out why any part of the application is dull when the word 'dull' is not normally used to describe a finished Imron application. Is it the deck (flat surfaces) or the hull that you are referring to as dull? Temperature and high humidity could contribute to such a condition. But, Imron sets very quickly; very quickly, and that fact alone should eliminate any possibility of temp. or high humidity.

The spray application of Imron is what produces that shine. Wet sanding the final coat is not considered to be an option.
 
Have you used Imron before? I thought it was extrememly haazardous to your health and was only used by professionals?
 
Thanks for all the info so far.

I sprayed the hull with white, and it looks beautiful, perfect shine. I did the topside, rubrail up with grey. The grey is what looks dull. Though the hull has many more coats then the topside...the topside only has 2 coats, where the hull has 6coats..

does that help with finding out why i have no shine?? how many coats should the topside have??
 
Imron is dangerous to breath, but I think the one your thinking of is AWLGRIP. It's the killer.

If you are going to wet sand, start with 1200 then 1500 the 2000. THen polish with a high speed buffer and some Finesse-it III.
 
Imron and Awlgrip are both LPU(linear polyurethane)paints. And while Imron is an acrylic urethane and Awlgrip is a polyester type, they both contain isocynides as I recall. So you should wear the proper type of spray mask not just a cheap partical or charcoal mask.
And you should also wear gloves and a protective cover all as well if your going to be spraying either paint even if it's outside. In a spray booth it is recommended that you use a fresh air fed mask.

That said, on a fresh Imron paint job you should not have to wet sand to get a good finish. Nor should you have to lay on 6 coats to get one either. Sounds like something was off. Perhaps the temp., humidity, your mix, etc.

Now if it's just some areas that are dull you can wet sand and/or buff them out. I'd try buffing first.

On the runs you can wet sand and buff. You should block sand them out if they are on a flat surface. If not still try and use a sanding pad of some kind.

For thick runs you may need to start with 600 or 800 grit and work your way up to 1500 or 2000. You want to start with as fine a grit as you can. Use running water from a hose (best to cut the end off a cheap hose so you don't scratch the paint with the metal hose end) or a bucket with a few drops of soap in it to act as lube for the paper. Just keep rinsing down the area your sanding with fresh soap water. And clean off your paper if paint builds up on it. Wipe the area try from time to time to see how you are doing. Once you get the run sanded down flush with the finest paper, carefully buff the sanded area out. Use a foam pad for your buffing at a slower speed. You really shouldn't need to use a high speed and wool pad as you are polishing not cutting the paint.

With only two coats of paint to work with be careful you don't cut or burn through the paint.
 
It's Imron also Paul. It's the cyanides like Capt. Bill said.
 
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