Refinishing ASW24

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 2:19:07 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 7:04:27 PM UTC-4, John Sinclair wrote:
On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 3:51:27 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 6:18:16 PM UTC-4, John Sinclair wrote:
Removing gelcoat is a real bear, but it shouldn’t take that long! We use an electric DA, like RIDGID with 60 grit pad to remove 50% Down to where the underlying cloth starts to show. The remaining gelcoat is much softer. Works best on flat surfaces like the a stab.
Be very careful on concave surfaces like the underside of the elevator. If memory serves me, it should take something like 24 hours to completely strip a 15 meter bird.
Hope this helps,
JJ
60 grit is like using Charmin on the underside! This thing laughs at 36 grit, and yes the electric tools have been used, Mirka 40 wet does a bit of removal.
We have found that 36 grit mostly rides on top, but 60 grit is fine enough to start removing the top hard coat and get down to the softer underlying stuff. Dual action (DA) is a must and it greatly reduces the risk of digging in.
I have used many Abranet grit pads and custom made blocks. The best so far is the Mirka 80 with the cushion pad beneath the Adranet pad, this is used in a very slow rotation of the sander, speed seems to cut less than a slower rotation. Speed also increases your risk of gouging and also heats up the surface much to my dislike. Fiberglass Supply Depot in Ft. Pierce , Florida has the best supply of abrasive supplies and tools one would ever need, check them out online, great people and huge supplies of products. Bob

80 grit has more rocks in contact and, from my experience, gives a quicker and better result. I use random orbital and Mirka Gold 80 grit sticky back paper with soft backing pad.
"there must be an easier way".
Nope
Stick with it Bob.
UH