6" Orbital Pneumatic Sander for hull

[Windtherapy]

I have to ask...has anybody used a pneumatic orbital sander for hull finishing? If so, where did you find wet 6" sandpaper? Also, how did this work for you and from your experience, what are the pros and cons?

I blew out my rotator cuff so hand sanding is out for me. Last summer after picking up the O'Day I bought the Makita 9227C, foam pad along with the buffing pad and did one side of the boat-----washed with FSR then used 3M compounding wax and then 3M Finesse It and then Collinite wax. Not nearly as shiny as most boats and others from this site and other sites have stated it won't be until the hull is wet sanded first and then do the 4 steps over again. Now having a pneumatic orbital sander so I can wet sand, I would love to give it a try maybe starting with 800 grit and working my way up to 1500 or even 2000. Thoughts?

 

[DougM]

I don't know for sure, but perhaps an auto body shop supplier would be a potential source.
Since you are in Oscoda, the closest likely places would be in Grand Rapids or Traverse City.

Contact a local Body shop too, they may be able to suggest something

 

[Ted]

I have used a pneumatic sander for wet sanding the hull of a previous boat. I couldn't find any hook and loop wet sandpaper disks in very fine grits locally. I contacted a company named Abrasive Express that is located in Arizona. http://www.abrasiveexpress.com
They custom cut any diameter, any grit with any type of backing I wanted. Although I needed 5" diameter, I'm sure they will have or will make 6" ones. In 2008 I purchased small quantities of 4 discs of each grit that I needed. The average price was 53 cents a disc back then. They were very accommodating.

 

[woodster]

3 m makes those grits in hook and loop but it comes in a film type material and I dont know if you can buy small amounts I bought a box of each and it works wet a lot better than dry. Maybe find a custom paint shop and see if they will sell you some of there stock in small quantities I also used a dyna brade ROS

 

[Charles Erwin]

3m discs are the best and will be found at any autobody supplier. Any grit you want

As for equipment a 5 inch unit, a 6 inch interface pad, and 6 inch discs are the better combination because the 5 inch hard pad and the 6 inch business end means no hard edges. And - even if you skipped the interface pad and used a 6 disc with 5 machine the edges are softened.

The best air unit is the AirVantage.

See http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AVS61100S&Category_Code=T2

The best electric is the Makita - with variable control.

See http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO5041K-5-Inch-Random-Sander/dp/B003M5IWM8

Charles

 

[RussC]

I purchased one of these about 3 years ago and have hundreds of trouble free hours on it (automotive use) since then:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Air-Rando...motive-Tool-/230839398000?hash=item35bf19ae70

For disks I'm fortunate that my local (custom auto) paint dealer sells Fandeli Supreme Foam 6" disks (hook and loop). one disk or by the box. they are also excellent quality and 1/2 the price of the 3M. available up to 3000 grit and made to work wet. I hear they are hard to find in other areas, but well worth looking for.

 

[hawk232]

I use a DA for all wet sanding. be sure to only use hook and loop as adhesive pads will come off once wet. any auto body supplier should have them (not auto parts store, though some may, but specifically an auto paint store)

I will also second (or third) the 3m products

 

[Windtherapy]

Thanks for the input guys. Still have snow on the ground so I have awhile yet to get ready for this project.

 

[RussC]

Thanks for the input guys. Still have snow on the ground so I have awhile yet to get ready for this project.

If you don't find anything except full boxes of disks locally you can pm me and I'll send you one (or more) of the Supreme Foam to try. I can get them for about $3.50 each. I haven't used these on FG but for auto paint work I can cut/buff a whole car with one or two of each desired grit. they hold up well.

 

[Windtherapy]

Thanks Russ. I did find a hook and loop sanding disc for my sander. It came with a PSA disc and didn't even think about the issue with water and the adhesive so I will go hook and loop. I do see 400 all the way to 2000 grit 6" hook and loops pads in 10 packs on Amazon for $10.00 a pack so a dollar a piece which is cheap in my eyes.

I do see 3M has some foam pads. Is that what type you are talking about? I see a pack of 25 is close to $90. WOW!

What grit do you have and are they hook and loop 6"?

 

[Justin_NSA]

I'm guessing you have a compressor sized adequately for a sander. They use a lot of air if I recall correctly.I've never owned one for that reason.

 

[RussC]

Ya, that's about average price for the 3M pads around here also . 3M calls their system Trizac. it's good, but very expensive, as you found out.
I just checked my supply and I have plenty of 2000 and 3000 but no new disks any coarser at the moment. I can pick up a few of whatever grit you want however. I should get some for myself anyway. what I use are the 6"
Fandeli Supreme foam.
does your machine have the hook or the loop portion on the machine? some manufactures like to play games with that so you'll be forced to use their disks. you can swap the machine pad to match, but it's something you need to watch.

 

[Windtherapy]

My sander had the adhesive disc on it but I ordered a hook & loop disc for it.