Sanding the flair?

PressureDrop · #1 06-04-2002, 05:00 PM

im about to being the "sand, fill, sand fill..." process and am wondering how im going to be able to sand the flare in the front the boat, anyone who has does this could you tell me what i need to do it and where i can get it? thanks

Ben

Desperado · #2 06-07-2002, 01:05 AM

Ben

I'm new to the board but I figured I'd jump in on this one because it's what I do a good bit of the time. You're going to need a flexible fairing board about 2" wide. You can buy these or you can make one yourself out of 1/4" plywood. The bad news is this is not easy. I hope your shoulders are in good shape ( I'm assuming the boat is right side up). Sand at 45 degree angles from chine to shear. Sand in one direction and then the other so your pattern is an X. Keep the board flat against the hull so you don't dig in. Using guide coat helps to see what's going on with the high and low spots.

It's tough but it's worth the effort when that shiny paint gets on there. Good luck and I hope this helps.

PressureDrop · #3 06-06-2002, 06:40 PM

desperado - Welcome to the forum!!!!!, thanks for trying to help but i totally did not follow that, maybe to pictures would help, what about a "soft pad" sander?

Desperado · #4 06-06-2002, 07:12 PM

Ben

Sorry for the confusing instructions. It's definitely easier to show than to write about it. Let's start with what you have. Is the hull in this area in good shape or have repairs been done? If the hull is in good shape and close to fair, a soft pad may work fine. I'd say a 6" diameter pad max though, 5" might be better. You want the whole pad to stay in contact with the surface at all times. This method is certainly easier but to get it close to perfect you have to work with the board. Just depends on how good you want it to look.

What size is your boat?

PressureDrop · #5 06-06-2002, 10:29 PM

Desperado - its a 20 Seafari and aside from blisters on the bottom (which ill deal with later) the hull side are very smoother, but im a perfectionist, so i want em nice, is the board method used for applying fairing putty? or sanding? i just got a proter cable 5'' random orbital, where could i get a soft pad for this? thanks

Ben

P.S. - im in west palm, maybe ill come down there sometime and you can show me how its done

Desperado · #6 06-07-2002, 10:58 AM

Ben

Good choice on the sander. I have that one as well and it's been going strong for about 4 years now.

That's good news that the hull is in good shape. That will make it much easier. I use the board as well as a variety of sanding blocks pretty much exclusively on the hull. The board is for sanding. It allows you to carry a true line over a greater distance. Same as a sanding block just bigger.

If you can make it down to Pompano, I'll be glad to show you how to do it. I normally work on Saturdays but check with me before you come.

I'll check on some sources for pads for that sander. Did it come with a hard pad? That's very useful too.