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Two Types of SANDING

Started by capt_nemo, January 31, 2014, 09:10:10 PM

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capt_nemo

Most of us are intimately familiar with the SANDING necessary in prepping a hull for bottom paint, or exterior wood prior to application of our favorite "protective coating". We take this mindless sanding for granted, often proceeding like automatons until done, experiencing little, if any, affect on our psyche other than the satisfaction that "it's done"!

Then there is SANDING which, although a necessary step in the creation of a useful wooden mod to your boat, is quite different in character and affect on the human spirit.

It is the SANDING where the light touch of moving fingertips help to confirm or contradict what the eye sees in judging progress toward the ultimate goal - creation of a useful wooden object for your boat that often looks and feels like a work of art. The self same SANDING that fills your heart with a warm glow as you change down to progressively finer grits of paper until the eye and fingertips agree that "it's done"!

The difference between the two types is so striking that I, for one, try hard to avoid the robot-like SANDING like the plague, and actively seek opportunities to partake of the SANDING that warms my heart and soothes my inner spirit. And this, while creating useful wooden objects for my boat.

If you haven't done so, recommend you give it a try. You may very well be pleasantly surprised.

Now where did I put that 120 grit?


Bob23

Very true, Capt:
   We've all experienced both types of sanding but the latter SANDING is quite rewarding. I found that out during the initial finishing of all my exterior teak on the 23. Each coat of Flagship required sanding prior to the next coat. When it was all said and done, after 7 coats, I had a car-like clear hard finish that was to last about 5 years.
   But I wish I was retired so I could really enjoy sanding! It still takes time. But even bottom sanding is in itself rewarding when, upon fall haulout, one sees the absence of barnacles!
   If you ever run out of wood to sand, let me know...I'll ship all my projects down to you!  ;D
Bob23

brackish

Being a furniture maker and having painted cars and boats in the past,  I'm aware of both types.  I have grit selections that range from 60 to 1200 and everything in between.  When one needs a whole cabinet just to store abrasives and sanding machines, it may be overdone a bit. ;)  I generally enjoy the final phase before finishing, but not those leading up to that phase.

When I get nervous is when I pour that finish into the gun.  My thoughts immediately go to "how am I going to mess up my perfect project with this finish"

And as for the bottom sanding, I think it would be worth a tow to NJ to let Bob do it if he gets satisfaction from it.  In fact, that's my plan..... ;D