Wetsanding

**imported_wagsjr** · 07-24-2007, 06:35 PM

So I am wetsanding a nice Trans Am today. My friend gets a paint job, gets taken for his money. The guy charged 700, no wetsand no buff. Said his buffer broke and offered a raincheck. So 8 months later he wanted it done right.

To start I havent done it in a while. SO I got some 1200 Megs ungrit and went to town. Unsure of how much clear is on it I got it smooth that u can vaguely see the orange peel in some places when the water dries from sanding.

I had a little of 3M rub it II and some Megs 85. Never tried 85 but it isnt seeming to take the scratches out from sanding. The 3M seemed a little better. Also using my dewalt with a wool cutting pad.

SO do you guys think I should sand with a lighter paper like a 2000 or maybe hit it 2x with the compound. It is only 4 panels on the car. The rest will get an 83/80 treatment. Maybe you know of a better compound. The 85 was supposed to take up to a 1200 sand scratch out I thought. So looking for some input here. Thanks

I knew there was a reason I always decline jobs like this(LOL)

**Accumulator** · 07-24-2007, 06:52 PM

wagsjr- Yeah, even with a wool pad, I`d want my final sanding to be a lot milder than 1200. And FWIW, I never believe those "grit ratings" on products, they always seem wildly optimistic.

**SpoiledMan** · 07-24-2007, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Accumulator

And FWIW, I never believe those "grit ratings" on products, they always seem wildly optimistic.

Yep, take those ratings with a grain of salt. If the process was the same(pad, machine type etc.) for all manufacturers then at least they could be a reference point.

**imported_wagsjr** · 07-24-2007, 08:51 PM

It started getting dark so I am going to check it in the sun. I hate to have to sand the panels again. It shouldnt take as long this time though. Spent a good few hours getting after it today

**BlueLibby04** · 07-24-2007, 08:51 PM

^^yea, at least get some 2000grit paper on it. It will be alot easier to get the marks out..

**imported_wagsjr** · 07-24-2007, 10:49 PM

Another problem is that I dont know how thick this guy put the clear on. I thought for sure I could take out the 1200 megs ungrit marks. Lesson learned.

I worked in a few places in college and they always would use the 3m after anything 1000 grit and lighter. Glad I joined here. Never heard of a pc until 2 years ago.

Im already losing my *** on this job. If I have to sand again I will be set way back. Anyone ever have success removing 1200 sand marks with any of the product I mentioned.

Compounding a second time took them out in some spots. I just dont want to punish the paint any worse.

**imported_wagsjr** · 07-24-2007, 11:29 PM

When working in the body shops/detail shops I was in volume was the key. Once the panel was flat and peel gone we hit it hard, polished and out the door.

I would imagine it wont take as many passes but I will have to go 1500 then 2000 at least on this one. The clear was hard and I had to rub the hell out of it to get the peel out. It was bad.

**Asonyexec** · 07-25-2007, 12:51 AM

Meguiar`s Online - How to Introduction to Wetsanding and Rotary Buffing. (Video)

**danponjican** · 07-25-2007, 08:12 AM

I always finish up my wet sanding with 2000 grit. I`ve heard of some people finishing with 3000 grit. It just makes it easier to buff it out.

**Accumulator** · 07-25-2007, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by danponjican

I always finish up my wet sanding with 2000 grit. I`ve heard of some people finishing with 3000 grit....

Yeah, I`m a big fan of 3K for the rare occasions when I do this stuff. But my good painter (who`s generally urging me to get much more aggressive) always suggests to finish the sanding with 4K; he even gave me some foam-backed Nikken disks in 4K when I tried to blow him off with "well, I don`t have any.."

**imported_wagsjr** · 07-25-2007, 01:40 PM

I used the 3m PI III and it tore it up. I would say 95% or better of them gone. NEVER again will I do it this way. But the 3m was impressive. Hit it at like 2000rpm.

I will be better able to tell once it is polished.

Thank you for all your insight. I have done wetsanding before but I am no pro. MY boss always handed me te stuff to use yet never said what it was. SO lesson learned and thank you all

**SVTContour** · 07-25-2007, 01:49 PM

I was able to easily get 2500 grit marks out of Honda paint (soft) with 3M PI II FCC and a PC with cutting pad.

I`ve also found that when reviving headlight lenses, that last step with the finest paper you have really makes the polishing go fast. Nothing really groundbreaking there. :ignore

**wannafbody** · 07-25-2007, 08:57 PM

2000, 2500 and 3000 unigrit paper, and a rotary (possibly a wool pad)

**imported_Malachi** · 07-25-2007, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Asonyexec

Meguiar`s Online - How to Introduction to Wetsanding and Rotary Buffing. (Video)

That was interesting to watch, thank you :buffing:

**94BlkStang** · 07-26-2007, 02:06 AM

I just used some 1500 grit wet/dry paper on some spots on my 94 Mustang to correct some scratches and I was able to easily get the sanding scratches out with an Orange 6.5" pad and Optimum Compound.