Soapy or plain water for 1500, 3000 & 5000.

W

Wetstuff

I have a 16yr old motorhome that has had no attention for probably the last 15. I'm in a 'high mold' zone - Eastern Shore, Maryland. I have spent two days with a variety of chems: TSP, Bleach, sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, and Dawn. I've have used a variety of 3M hand pads; Gray, White, Blue, and Green. ...and I pretty well got it all - the dirt and mold, that is.

Unlike a boat where the gel coat is usually pretty thick, you can clearly see the matte cloth in these sidewalls, so there's some texture. That's Ok because that's what it is... but now it's time to bring up some gloss.

I went over the whole unit with a 5" DA and 3M, 1500. It seemed that the job went better if I spritzed the area with soapy water first. 'went better' = was easier. I can tell the grit is working because of the color bleed I get from the stripes. ..but, would I get a better job with clear water or even dry for the next two stages? Thanks.

Jim

BTW.... a whole bunch of these guys use Zep High Gloss Floor Wax for their 'wax/sealant'. Odd stuff...
 

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Floor stuff- i used quick shine on my white fake convert caddy top a few yrs ago.
Looked excellent for 6 months. Parked outside covered as i used my other car.
Took cover off a few months later & cheap carcover turned to dust which stuck to top because the shine stuff went to hell in heat.
Scrubbed it off with iso alcohol,magic erasers, brush, dawn, bleach ect.
Cleared it with universal & looks as if i just did it.
 
dont use too much soap
it will act as a lubricant and render the sandpaper useless
i do 5 drops of dawn soap to 3 gallons warm water
 
I think the biggest advantage to soapy water is it just evaporates slower, so if you are keeping a constant flow of water on during this step I dont think it matters much.
 
It keeps your paper cleaner using the soapy water.
Try alternating between two pieces of paper, when one starts slowing down throw
it back in the soapy water and use the next one, when it slows, switch back
and you'll see how much better the first one cuts again.
That's why I keep switching back and forth, sometimes between 3 pieces,
that's when I number them with a felt tip before getting wet so I can keep track.
 
Thanks, guys. My fear was I used too much like Steve said. 'Drops' to me are like 'globs'. I will cure the habit.

I like the steady flow of water idea - 'just don't know how to rig something where I am not taking a shower.

Thanks again.

Jim
 
I bought about 10 ft. of 1/4" plastic hose and got a hose connection
from Home Depot. Sometimes I hold it in place with a old speaker magnet
with a spring clip epoxied on top.
 

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Excellent, JCC. I see me crimping the end - punching little holes every X"s and using two magnets. ...oh C'hit - this is fiberglass. ...suction cups?

That long squeegee is useful, however. I have two, one that looks cool but is too soft (One Pass Waterblade), and a stiff one that is perfect for these flat surfaces.

Jim
 
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