grafikworx

as many as you can stand. no really 3-7 coats depending if you are trying to just clear over base-coat for gloss, or if you want to submerge the graphics to a flat smooth finish. you can also clear, then sand the next day and clear again for very flat finish, depending on your wallet.

masher44

Dave has the first coat on.....

offshoredrillin

Now that there is funny, I dont care who ya are

Sean H

masher told me your boats are scared of the water......

rv

grafikworx/glassdave,
You indicated that you put multiple coats of clear on then sand then put another coat of clear after that. Is that a better finish than sanding and buffing out on the last coat? It seems to me the sanding and buffing will give a true flat surface. When you spray again after sanding isn't there some level of orange peel effect?

Rick

tssteph

There will still be a sand and buff at the end. base, then clear, sand, then clear, then sand and buff.

Gets rid of tape edges/graphic lines.

H20 Cowgirl

So after the last coat of clear I assume you wet sand, right? With what grit of sandpaper? Do you use a rubbing compound when buffing? If so, what's the best kind? I'm asking because a friend painted my boat and it looks awesome, but it kind of looks like it could use a buffing to bring out some shine. I did all the sanding/prep work before he painted and now it's up to me to finish this job. I don't want mess up the paint job.

tssteph

Others (professionals) can chime in, but it depends on the paint material used. I normally use 1500 wet. Looks like glassdave dry sands with 1200 on a DA, I have never tried this. I have a waterbug DA and use 1500 on it. All of my experience is with vintage Corvettes but finish steps are the same. I user Perfectit 2 and 3 and then a hand glaze. I would also be interested in what the "pros" use.
Before and after of the last job I completed:

tssteph

Another:

grafikworx

yes what he said.

Hey nobody said it was easy.!!! Painting boats like these is a lot or work.