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Orbital sanding toe rails and brightwork...

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020
    #1
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Here's another new one...have your maintenance team bring an additional tank with them. No need for the compressor. Have them hook it up in tandem with the 3 to 10 gallon tank already aboard, and the added capacity has them efficiently using pneumatic sanders on your brightwork.

    I actually went and purchased a new 5 gallon compressor for the last varnish effort. When we finished, I took the compressor off the newby and reinstalled it to update the unit aboard, complete with new mounts for sound improvement. Pretty easy swap.
  2. Ken Bracewell, Apr 28, 2020
    #2
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Cringe! We only hand sand our bright work.
  3. NYCAP123, Apr 28, 2020
    #3
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    +++Ditto. Takes the grain off.
  4. rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020
    #4
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Sure, if you use 60 grit. We don't.
  5. NYCAP123, Apr 28, 2020
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    It's not the meat it's the motion.
  6. Capt J, Apr 28, 2020
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    This, plus you end up rounding off edges and stuff with power sanders. Varnish is easy enough to hand sand. I'm very good at varnishing, but haven't varnished a boat in years and do NOT miss it.
  7. rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020
    #7
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    No need to educate me on a beautiful process we've carried on for years. We pneumatic orbital sand with 220 grit every three to four months, re-coat one coat to dry, orbital at 400, then add two finish coats with a splash of thinner. We maintain that appearance and don't go near wood grain unless a larger issue causes a need for a repair. If you stay on the varnish, you never go down to the wood, and it always looks like it's been sprayed on.

    But that's ok. You knew that, too.
  8. rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020
    #8
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    You'll have a hard time burning up your wood with 220-400.
  9. Capt Ralph, Apr 28, 2020
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    When we first pulled our Bert, I had an old Compressor onboard and an old vertical tank compressor from my garage next to the boat. Neither one very good but when charged together, the volume worked great.
    With them both hooked up directly to each other, the regulated air could just push two DAs for sanding the bottom before paint. The air was just getting low when your arms were giving out. Rest your arms, sip of drink, compressors cycle off, sand again for another 10 minutes over head,, repeat..
    We worked over some tarps that week. Never again.
    Tarps weighed a ton when we dragged them to the dumpster to spill the old bottom paint dust.
    That's when I learned many (MANY, MANY) coats of bottom paint does ad weight to a boat.
    After then, Huckins sands whats left of the ablative bottom with their vacuums attached, just to the S/W epoxy Barrier coat.
    Later, found this great 35gal compressor at a pawn shop. Was installed a week later. Been perfect for over 10 years now.

    Every time an air tool starts to mess up, down Pawn Shop Row (Blanding Blvd in Jax) till I find a good replacement. Never been disappointed, always a great deal.

    My air tool grave yards are scattered all over the Jax water ways..
  10. rtrafford, Apr 28, 2020
    #10
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Reads like the theory of doing business with Harbor Freight...lol...
  11. Capt Ralph, Apr 28, 2020
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    No, No, No..
    I get Mac, Snap On and other better brand tools, near new, on Da Row, at a fraction of the price. I'm sure some glow in the dark, not a problem of mine.
    I get lots of cheap moving blankets from Harbor Freight. When dirty, I leave them on the dock or street side,,, gone in 5 minutes..
  12. chesapeake46, Apr 28, 2020
    #12
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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  13. cleanslate, Apr 29, 2020
    #13
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    I've done this for years too. Yup it works well. I use 400 grit and one coat. Only electric sand on the flat surfaces. Hand sand , like hand rails or curve sections.
  14. Oscarvan, Apr 29, 2020
    #14
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Until you discover the new cordless wonders.... oh baby.
  15. Ken Bracewell, Apr 29, 2020
    #15
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I don't mean to derail the original topic. As a guy who grew up on wooden boats, and has been the professional captain on two of the prettiest "varnish farms" afloat, I would bet that I could pick out a piece that's been power sanded vs hand sanded.
    I'm currently applying 6 coats to about 1000' of cap rail on Berilda. Something we do twice per year.
  16. T.T., Apr 29, 2020
    #16
    T.T.

    T.T. Senior Member

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    Ken,
    Always like to hear what others use and details on technique. Purple 3M between coats?
    Apologies on the derail bump! Compressed air very handy onboard.
  17. Ken Bracewell, Apr 29, 2020
    #17
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    ScotchBrite Pads
  18. YachtForums, Apr 29, 2020
    #18
    YachtForums

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    Gents, I split the above posts from the discussion on air compressors.
  19. T.T., Apr 29, 2020
    #19
    T.T.

    T.T. Senior Member

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    Carl, again, my apologies. Ken has sage advice and I couldn't resist! A result of your dedication and collection of an experienced knowledge base.
    Thank you for your efforts
  20. YachtForums, Apr 29, 2020
    #20
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    No apologies! Threads sometimes veer off course. It's the nature of forums. :)
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