Body panels

[BIG_Fella]

What are the best way to get the Mould Flash lines off the body panels

[bigrich]

Hi...

Don't envy you on this one.

There are a couple of views...some people reckon power tools to speed up the process. I personally recommend by hand...it takes longer but the finish is more controlled and you don't run as higher risk of going through the gel coat.

What I did:-

Second cut file / 60 grit wet n dry to remove the really big flash lines.

Wet n dry each flashline using progressively finer paper until it is satisfactorily removed. I used 400 grade, then 800, then 1200 (make sure you use it wet with a squirt of fairy liquid in the water...helps it glide)

Once flash line removed used 1500 grade wet n dry to remove any fine scratch lines from the earlier wet n dry process.(again used wet)

Then on to polishes:- I used a system from sailboats.co.uk (Northampton) designed for fibreglass boats....works well. Again process I used was:-

3G cutting compound (by hand) over the area to 'shine up' the surface and remoce tiny scratches. Next use 'cutting boat polish' to further 'shine up' the area and give a good lustre. Then use 'carnauba wax' to seal and protect the finished surface....a couple of coats of this wax is worthwhile.

The whole process takes a very long time....but the finished results are worth it...basically effort in = quality of finished panel.

I reckon I probably spent about 30 -40 hrs deflashing / polishing but the finish is almost as good as paint.

Good luck

Rich

[JG]

Originally Posted by BIG_Fella

What are the best way to get the Mould Flash lines off the body panels

What a ballaching job that is


Pay someone else to do it



John

[BIG_Fella]

OOOHH Vary helpfull that one JG

Some good info that is Bigrich although i am not to worried about the gelcoat as i am going to have to spray mine (some sort of blue metalic May be a flick paint )as the are some flash lines the will not clean up (got some flash lines that are inbound and can see the white/clear grp )

[SDMC001]

Rich

Looking at the pics of yours, it may have been a long job but well worth it.

Steve