T-CUT?

[RobWales]

Is T-Cut ok to use for gelcoat?

My boat could do with a cut n polish and rarther than spending a few quid at the swindlery on marine cutting compound I was wondering if its ok to use?

I have invested in a polishing machine that has three different sponge mops for various grades of compound etc....

All views welcome.

Thanks

 

[Nickcf]

It's useless- get some Farecla G3 from a car paint/supplies shop. About £30 for 3 litres which will last a couple of years

 

[RobWales]

Nick,
I tried a test area on the inside of the cockpit by hand and it seemed to do the job!
Was wondering if there is anything in T-Cut that makes it unsuitable for white gelcoat?

 

[nickcred]

used halfords own brand cutting compound was fairly cheap and did the job

 

[nyx2k]

water down the tcut by at least 50per cent as its really too abrasive and keep the speed of the mop down or you will create too much heat. and dont stick to one spot or you will remove all the gel coat.

farecla is much better but a little more expensive

 

[thefatlady]

A contrary opinion. T-cut is excellent. I've used it for years with machine and by hand many times on many boats and found it far better and easier to use than Farecla and the like.

One caveat. Dont leave a puddle of it on white gelcoat or it will leave a brown stain. However, you can polish that out with - yes, you've guessed it - more T-Cut

 

[tico]

would second the use of farecla. Can get it in different grades. IIRC G3 is relatively coarse for getting rid of chalking, diesel soot etc and G9 is much finer for getting a glass-like polish. (I use G3 for everything - works just fine). You can get it in 1L bottles from a bodyshop supplier for around a tenner, and will last ages.

Agree with points about not letting polisher stay on one spot for any length of time because itll mark the surface + keep surface damp (trigger spray bottle with water comes in very useful)

Alternatively for small areas, use a big (carwash) sponge wetted with water - but beware its hard work on the arms.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Have used Farecla for years, use the finest grade possible rather then G3, you can always work up to that but if you start with G3 and it proves to be too course then you're stuffed!

 

[PCUK]

T-cut every time!!!

 

[Bandit]

I understqnd thqt T Cut qnd most automotive products have amonia in them which is bad fro gelcoat so try farecla for glassfibre.

 

[Sneds]

Be careful with the polishing machine on the corners, the gel coat is often thinner there!
Get ready for some aching arms /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thefatlady]

T-cut does indeed contain ammonia, but in small quantities and really miniscule quantities when it is applied as a thin coat for a short time.

I don't know whether lots of ammonia harms gelcoat, but T-cut hasn't harmed any gelcoat I've used it on in the last 25 years and unfailingly brings up a beautiful finish.

I note that PCUK also votes for T-cut. I thought I would be the only one and would get howled down by the "purists". I also finish with Turtle Wax and find it easier and longer lasting than the boaty products (ducks for cover).

 

[ccscott49]

Aching arms saving tip, use a big bungee on the polisher, tied to stanchions etc, hang the polisher off this, easy to pull down the topsides, but takes the weight going up, you can adjust the tension by shortening the bungee, works a treat! I also use it when sanding large areas of topsides, like I have!

 

[dpb]

The best I have used is 3m fiberglass restorer (as recommended by MBM!) followed by the spray on 3m combined wash and wax. Lasted longer than T cut which was great but faded fast.

 

[Kawasaki]

Thanks for that ccscott49.
About to do some polishing. Good one.
Bungy Cords best invention since sliced bread. Cable ties Close third ?
Cheers
K

 

[Nickcf]

[ QUOTE ]
Nick,
I tried a test area on the inside of the cockpit by hand and it seemed to do the job!
Was wondering if there is anything in T-Cut that makes it unsuitable for white gelcoat?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not aware that it is unsuitable for gelcoat, only that it doesn't clean it very well (or easily!). By all means start with farecla G9 if at all unsure but I've always used G3 (as do many boatyards) without any problem- it's never ever caused scratching so long as you follow the instructions.

Try both (T cut and Farecla) on adjacent bits of dirty external gelcoat and test for yourself.

Nick

 

[poter]

G3...good stuff even on old chalkie gel coat, polish with 3M.
Go to 3M Stuff & have a chat with these guys - they really know what they are talking about. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just to remind!.......... <span style="color:red"> Make sure that the gel coat is clean first. </span>

poter