Originally Posted by
cartoysautospa
Listen.......wet sanding is a breeze ! First off make sure you get the right tools to work with. I use a rubber sanding block that is very flexible, for OEM paint never use anything less than 1500 grit paper. you will need either a spray bottle,or a bottle with a flip cap.I prefer a bottle with a flip cap dispenser . mix a small portion of dish soap in the water. the slicker the surface the faster the cut.
I don`t know why it takes true detailer to wet sand a car for 3 days, but I can usually do one complete in 2-3 hours for the sanding part.
tips: always open the hood and the trunk and prop it open with a empty can, bucket whatever you have. stay off the edges, and stay 2" off the windshield wiper nozzles as your buffer cannot get that close, unless you remove them.
sand in a back n forth motion, with a 50% overlap with each stroke. let the sandpaper do all the work.
Make sure you keep your hand flat on the paper, otherwise it will cause finger marks in your stroke.
sand the surface where the paint is "dull" looking with no gloss showing through. If you have glossy areas , the paint will not polish out correctly.
after you get all of the area sanded. I like to go back with some 2000 grit paper and in a circular motion with plenty of water re sand what you already sanded. This extra step is the "money" we you polish out the paint.
This extra step allows you just to lay the buffer up on the paint and it will gloss up quickly.
If you do not sand the surface where it feels slick under the paper, it will not be easy to polish out and then you might burn through if you have to re sand. take your time and go slow.
Polishing. Use a yellow foam pad on a speed buffer with the RPM set at 1200.
spread your compound (1000 grit ) on the surface,mist with some water and begin polishing the paint. Do small areas at a time. ie. divide the hood into (4) sections
do one panel at a time, match each panel to the next panel.
Now for what you charge depends on your level of experience. My shop rate is $65.00 per hour. To wet sand and polish a car which takes me about 3-5 hours depending on the car I get $400.00
The secret here is the sanding not the polishing. If you take your time in sanding the paint it takes no time to polish the paint
2-3 hours to sand , 2 hours to polish
Good Luck
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