How many of you wetsand everything that comes out of the mold or do you just buff and ship?
Alot of the things Ive made come out dead nuts shiney…I dont even have to buff.
I spent that kind of time on the plug.
Although I would like to hear what everyone is using for compound. I use 3M finesse it
i just ask because I usually sand to get the surface off and buff the heck out of it, that is why I ask. To see what others are doing. What is the most aggressive 3m out there?
there is buff it, finesse it, you name it.
I dont really buy anything that can buff out less than 1000 grit scratches.
Lambswool bonnets are more agressive and foam are polishing out swirls.
Your best bet is to call a detail shop and ask them what they use day in and day out.
I use the stuff I use because I paint as well. I dont try to take haze off stuff I am working with new.
Like I said though, by the time Im done with a plug, its so slick and smooth I dont even have to really buff the mold out. I just hand rub it a bit and call it a day.
So much work on the plug makes for easy days on the mold and parts.
I owned and operated a top end detail/salon center for 23 years and turned out daily show quality finishes on factory and repaints.
Getting a literal wet/glass unswirled unwaxed result was how I built a strong holding rep.
What one person calls “mirror” or “glass” might not really be just that ,I’ve found.
I really work hard on making the plugs as perfect as humanly possible and do the same with the interior of the completed mold.
But even still…I spend the elbow grease to microfine the surface of the Gelcoat and polish it, then Carnuba wax it for shipping.
I guess it depends entirely on what the part is worth and how its intended use will be.
But I see out there what some young buyers call AWESOME" and I just laugh inside…maybe it’s just my eye for detail is simply TOO anal, who knows.
Satisfy your eye…I always say.
…V’
Some young buyers are putting $100 can’s-o-bees on their tailpipes and calling it fast an furious (or macaroni, whatever you prefer).
sorry for thread jack, but I just woke up and I am a bit giddy.
We just give the carbon parts a good cleaning before primer and paint.
If I use VE and clear gelcoat I have to wet sand and buff because of resin shrinkage.
If I use gel/epoxy (High Temp) sand 2000 grit/buff.
Clear epoxy surface coat and epoxy resin Buff and ship some dome shaped parts can just be cleaned and shipped.
Wet sand and or buff after post cure.