Sanding Fin and Leash PLlugs

General Discussion
1

Ok, so I've done a few boads now, shaped and glassed and most things seem to be coming along nicely!!!

One issue I seem to have repeatedly is sanding down fin and leash plugs.

In some instances I sand too much exposing (not completely) cloth, or the fin plugs ending up not completely flat. I've tended to use the edge of a 7" hard sanding pad with 60 or 80 grit paper on a variable speed sander to take down the plugs. This seems to be the quickest and easiest way to tackle it (angleing the pad slightly so the edge of the pad is doing the work)...however I am a little disappointed in the final result.

I am about to sand a board (next couple of days), fin and leash plugs on my first 'sold' board (to a buddy at work!) and I would like to get an idea if there are some tips I could consider to assist witth a better finish...not that my current finish is that bad, would just like to get an idea of how you guys tackle this step!!!

Let me know!!

Cheers M

2

Just a garage hack myself and having said that...

I put down two layers of 3/4 to 1" masking tape when sanding/grinding with 60-80 grit. Once I see it just start to mark the top layer of tape I pull the top layer of tape off and go to a higher grit like 100-120. Then repeat with the tape thats left. Once you start to mark that tape you should be within tolerance to sand your hot coat as normal. I slow down and go by hand or with an orbital at that point over the plug and boxes. Seems I always regret using "power tools" at this stage due to my inexperience. More added steps I know... but seems to have worked well for me.

3

I should read my responses better...before posting. I obviously meant to include that I "tape off" the boxes and plugs with the masking tape. Basically use it as a protective buffer and indicator of just how much I have ground down the boxes to the surface of the sanding coat.