Sandpaper needed?

[Argeo]

Hi,

What sand paper will I need once I put paint and the cleat on. I am using Chromobase paint if that matters.

Thanks,

David

[Argeo]

Sorry Clear.

[ken_xman]

please clarify.. cleat? do you mean to wet sand & buff? ...if yes 2000- real wet.

[Argeo]

Sorry, I meant clear coat. I was told 600 on the paint and 1000 on the clear. Both wet.

[ken_xman]

you never sand the base color without shooting more base, and letting it flash.. as per paint mfgr instructions, and follow with clear.
use 400 before the color, nothing on the color, and 2000 on the finished & cured clear. If 2000 is not agressive enough, step down to 1500, and back to 2000 before buffing.
I would not use 1000 at all.... too much grit.

[Willem Fick]

Agreed, 1000 is way too coarse! Whe you sand clear, use soapy water for best results.

[Argeo]

Just to make sure I am reading this correctly. 400 on the primer, nothing on the base and 2000 on the clear, 1500 if not strong enough? I am assuming this is all wet sand correct?

I was told to use between 200 and 400 on the primer? My friend who has been giving me the advice does this for a living and has for the last 20 years. Amazing the diference in opinions.

Thanks,

David

[ken_xman]

yes all wet. only add a teaspoon of dishsoap to the clearcoat sand step.
yes, sand the primer with 400 wet. 200 might leave too deep scratches for my taste.
For further clarity.... you only need to wetsand your clear if you get a little dust, or orange peel in the final clear coat. Ask your friend about a burn coat with reducer , and the leveling abilities.
Heres a site with a wealth of info for a diy painter
http://autobody101.com/forums/

[Willem Fick]

Correct!

Nothing coarser than 400 on primer. You can get away with 220, but it's really not adviseable, as with certain colours you might see sanding marks afterwards.

Base shouldn't be sanded (unless you plan on re-doing it!), and clear should be applied within 15 minutes of your last basecoat. Once cured, try 2000, and if it is too fine, revert to 1500.

[Willem Fick]

Forgot to say - never sand primer wet! It is porous and will retain moisture.

[ken_xman]

willem is on it.......but, you can wet sand 2k urethane primer. Old school primer holds moisture.
Argeo... what stage are you currently on? What are you painting? If its the whole car I would add a sealer step.

[Willem Fick]

Goes to show that you are never to old to learn... I learnt not to wet sand primer, and never really questioned it since!

BTW nice website! It should be made prescribed reading...

[ken_xman]

I am taking off from work tomorrow to paint my old 300se benz. Jambs done, garage converted to a paint booth and ready to roll. Tomorrow goes the sealer, base & clear with burn coat.

[Willem Fick]

I know painting your benz isn't exactly Porsche related, but



LOL

Cheers!

Willem Fick

[ken_xman]

I would not want to get flogged by the porsche crowd.

[widebody911]

Check out http://www.rennlight.com/howto/colorsand/

[daka]

Wide body 911...
Thanks for bringing up the color sanding site....it has almost given me the courage to attempt to sand out a few "blibitzes" in the paint on the hood of my Targa. Evidently one of the P/O's had the hood resprayed for chips...it's still the o/e hood! But whoever did it didn't spray the apron under the bumper,,,grrr,,, I did get some spray cans and will attempt that too.

[Argeo]

I am still sanding the primer. I was planning on doing this weekend but the cost of supplies was a bit more than I expected so I may hold off. If I get the car ready for paint by Friday, I don't know what I'll do.

Man, the cost of all this stuff is unbelievable. I am not even usinf the top of the line stuff, not even close and it is still costing me a ton. I guess it is all relative.
Primer $400
Paint and clear $450
Strippers $100
Bondo $75
MIG Welder $200
Tank $80
Gas $100
Misc $200
New Seals $200

I just hope the work I have done is up to snuff. I will cry if the paint all decides to fall off in the next five years.

I won't be using sealer. I used veriprime and 2K filler primer. The car won't be seeing rain and for that matter, only maybe a 1k miles a year road time and is garaged. I just think it maybe overkill. Not sure why but just a gut feeling I have.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[cstreit]

Hmm... I sanded my primer with 600 after the 400.... Used Chromabase as well and had no problems with adhesion of the color coat...

[RickM]

The primer is $400 for a gallon? Man have I been asleep for too long.