Dust nits in paint???

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:26 am

I pulled out the interior formica covered plywood panels in my old Bert. Filled all the holes & dings, primed & then topcoated with Interlux Toplac. Used a foam roller & tipped off. (DO NOT USE SHORT NAP MOHAIR ROLLER REGARDLESS OF WHAT PACKAGE SAYS!!)Finish is fantastic. Really hi-gloss & smooth, EXCEPT that I keep getting little dust particles. The paint takes so long to dry, that I can't see how I can get a clean finish. The ???? I have is how do I clean it up? Do I use wet-or-dry paper, working from 600 grit up to 2000. Is there a way to use my power buffer? What products do I use? HELP P.S. If you have an old 33C, you can gain a LOT of storage space behind these panels. I've cut in a 40" x 10" box at the top of the panels & added 15' x 20' teak louvered doors at the bottom. Due to the cabin side curvature, I had to taper the top boxes from 6" deep down to 4" deep at the aft end. Made up all my own teak finish molding & am using 1/4" teak plywood for sliding doors. Against the hi-gloss white it really updates the look of the cabin. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:11 am

Al, I'll bet it looks nice. I'll have to swing by to check it out. I'm flying down to Maryland again this weekend to do some work on my friends boat in preparation for bringing it up north in a few weeks. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:32 pm

Al, 600 grit is a bit too agressive for what you want to do.You`re dating yourself here . These days all sandpaper is "P" grit and where you used to be able to start with 600, now you need 1000 or 1500 to start and I`d recommend at least 2000 to finish. I usually use 2500 (wet) as a final paper grit before polishing, on paint anyway. On gelcoat , you can usually get away with something a little more coarse, as it seems to polish a little easier. You`re not far from me, I should stop by to see your boat. Where do you have it? Frank Price `87 SF Rowley Ma

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:00 pm

Hi Frank, don't know what a "p" grit is. Yesterday on a small section, I tried 1000 wet, then jumped to 2000 wet, then 3M Imperial compound & finally Finesse-It II with a foam pad on my Dewalt buffer. A lot of work, but it did clean up that section to ALMOST the same Hi-gloss. Guess that is the route I'll have to take. I'm at Tuck Pt marina in Beverly Harbor. Right in back of the grey condos. Have the rear bulkhead sliding window out, so still have the shrinkwrap on. With the cool temps, I have to wait 2 days after a coat before I can sand. Found that out the hard way. I'm hoping that on Saturday I can get the window back in, so I can uncover on Sunday. While I had the window out, I thought I would replace the little pvc spline in the runner. Had to give that idea up as no one has a replacement. I'll put it back in for now & work on that problem next winter. Have a nice nite. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:18 pm

Al The "P" stands for production, as I`ve been told.It cuts faster but deeper,so you have to work with a higher number paper than in the old days. For awhile you could get some types of paper without the P grit but now it seems the changeover is complete.I don`t know who the genius is that figures this stuff out but I`m guessing it has to do with sales and not quality. I was thinking of stopping by this weekend .By your description I have a pretty good idea of where to find you. Any time in particular you figure on being out in the boat? By the way, you`re braver than me, painting under the cover. Frank

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:36 pm

Frank, you're more than welcome to come on by. I'll be there in the afternoon on both days. I have the port & stb panels at my house. I'll be working on them in the morning, then switch up to the NITES OFF in the afternoon to work on the rear bulkheads. Last year I rebuilt the bottoms of those bulkheads as they were rotted out. Wish I had waited till this year as with the side panels out, the thru bolts holding the bulkheads in are now accesible. It would have been a LOT easier to just replace the entire aft bulkhead. You might want to wait until next weekend. I hope to have the cabin reassembled by then. Also the new galley counter with the flat glass stovetop & new sink. I also made new counter face cap out of teak. It comes up 3/8" above the counter to act as a fiddle. Right now all these pieces including the built in boxes are all at my house waiting for me to finish playing with the paint job. As it looks now, I won't be uncovering until next weekend. I'm hoping I can get the shrinkwrap off in useable condition for a fourth season on it. If you do come for a visit, I'm at the last ramp down on the left as you face the water. Go through the gate & then go right. Second boat in. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 4:26 am

Al, Sounds like you have plenty to do. I`ve been plugging away all winter under the shrink wrap and uncovered it 2 weeks ago, last week re-installed the genset and started polishing away a couple(I guess) years of boston grime. My list seems to be growing , not shrinking so this weekend will(or should) be one where I get alot done.If I can make it today or tomorrow, I will, otherwise I`ll stop by next weekend.. Frank