Wetsanding for Fun and Practice

[imported_animes2k]

Some of you might remember the fender of the black 93 Corrado I did my first wetsanding on... Well, I didn`t have a rotary then and MAN I wish I had a wool pad or two now, but I was able to work it out pretty well.



I decided to go ahead and get more familiar with wetsanding on the rear driver`s side quarter panel on the Corrado and am even happier with how this came out.



I`ve also realized that the repaint on this was a metallic black, while the rest of the car is just straight black. Moronic. The quality of the job fits, then...



Process

- wash

- 3M 1500 grit to knock it down... a lot of this

- 3M 2000 grit to smooth it out a bit

- Optimum Polish (I need something stronger!) w/Orange pad - not cutting it

- Optimum Polish w/ Yellow pad @ 1500-1750rpm (Metabo)

- Optimum Polish w/ Yellow pad @ 6 (PC - for tight spaces)

- VM w/ White pad @ 1000rpm

- RMG by hand

- P21S by hand



My yellow pad`s (got "Wolfgang" but I ordered LC?) backing has delaminated. Time to give Autogeek a call :P



The Pics

What I was dealing with...

http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/orangepeel.jpg



What I ended up with...

http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/sanded.jpg



http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/fender.jpg



Comparison shot

http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/side.jpg



Sun Flare comparison:

http://www.noestudios.com/photo/details/corrado/flares.jpg



Lots of chips in the paint (those white spots)...



So there ya go. Once I get a couple of wool pads, I`ll do the door...



I`m really feeling good about the whole wetsanding thing, though I`m sure I could use some pointers. This is also a very thick (and BAD) paint job, so I might just hurt some OEM paint :)



Thanks for looking.

[DSVWGLI]

Wow what a change, a lot less OP after. What kind of sanding block did you use with the wetsand and what was the process?

[Thomas Dekany]

excellent work!



I want to learn too! :nervous2:

[imported_krsjuan]

Wait. Am I missing someting here. The first 2 pics are different panels aren`t they?

[imported_animes2k]

Thanks guys.



dsvwgli I actually didn`t use a sanding block, just the paper. I had picked up a dual-density foam block and used it initially on the front fender, but found it easier to work with just the paper and a flat hand. I don`t know if this is "wrong" but I found it easier to follow curves, handle edges, etc. As far as process goes, I just went at it :) Checking my work often, with a water blade handy to remove water and check for low spots I hadn`t yet sanded out. Once I was happy with the 1500, I moved to the 2000, working in the opposite direction of the 1500 pass.



thomas just pick a car and have fun! :D Or pick up an old panel.



krsjuan Those are two different panels, yes. However, the entire side of the car looked like that when I started. The repaint was evenly BAD down the whole side, now it`s just the door that`s bad (as I did the front fender a couple of months ago).

[92MX83]

Looks great! Too bad that`s the only metallic black panel, but at least those flakes are a-poppin!



Now you`ll have to do the rest of the car! Kind of like cleaning and dressing just one wheel and tire.



If the re-spray is thick enough (the clear coat, actually), you shouldn`t have too much to worry about as long as you stop sanding when the paint is leveled (no more shiny spots). I don`t know what a dual density foam block is, but I use a rubber sanding block for the flat surfaces and the Meguiar`s foam sanding pad for the curves (don`t trust my finger pressure) and it worked fine for me.



Great job, in any case! Definitely better than even the factory finish!

[imported_animes2k]

The whole SIDE of the car is metallic... the flakes are pretty heavy, but a sort of greenish color. Odd, but eh :) I will get around to detailing the whole thing at some point, but it`s such a waste, as the car is basically rotting down on the street... My brother needs to do something with it! The engine is strong, but transmission, brakes and some electronics need work, needs a new windshield... The interior is SOO dirty...



This is a dual (double) density sanding block - firm and soft side, depending on application:

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1523616_lg.jpg