Any advice for wet sanding and polishing??

[scherp69]

Hopefully on Monday I will get a chance to start wet sanding and then polishing the firewall. I'm probably going to get the Makita 7" variable speed buffer. I have wet/dry paper starting with 800 grit going up to 2500 grit. Does anyone have any advice/tips for doing this. I've never done either before so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Here's a pic of the firewall I'll be doing.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/PICT00116-1.jpg

[cees67]

yes take your time ,stay away from edges, say goodbye to your fingerprints, and i love 3m products for compounds DONT OVERSAND! looks great by the way

[rusty428cj]

How many coats of clear do you have? I spray 3 and wet sand starting with 1000 followed by 2000 than 2500.

[Happyfunballs]

Mask up the edges so you don't burn through with both the sandpaper and the wheel. I too would start with 1000, then 1500, if you want it nails 2000 and up before buffing and polishing.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Mask up the edges so you don't burn through with both the sandpaper and the wheel. I too would start with 1000, then 1500, if you want it nails 2000 and up before buffing and polishing.

Cosigned. Sand a little, wipe it and check it. Sand a little, wipe it and check it. Once you do it for a while (more then just the firewall) you will feel the surface go slick as you sand. You will start to feel the paper drag more as the surface gets flatter and there is more paper contact

[Riderz Cycle]

I have to agree with Frank start in an area that isn't seen sand a few strokes wipe it and repeat. I use a small rubber squeegee after sanding a few strokes then wipe it with the squeegee. Be careful of debris getting under your paper or any sanding nibs you might have knocked off in the sanding process. I also use Dawn soap in the water helps keep the paper clean. Start with 1000 grit then 1500 then 2000 if the car is black start with 1500 then 2000 then 2500. Try to stay away from the edges

[camaroguy]

KEEP THE BUFFER ON A SLOW SPEED! Especially until you get the hang of it.

STAY AWAY FROM ANY EDGES!

[scherp69]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm not sure if I would ever take on the task of doing the entire car so I'm wondering if buying the buffer would be a waste of time. If I was to wet sand down to 2000 or 2500...could I just polish by hand after that??

[Happyfunballs]

You could, but I don't think you'd enjoy yourself. Best to spend the $180 or so on a Makita variable speed 7" buffer, it has a soft start to make things easier.

[MonzaRacer]

And dont look past the per-fect-it pads 3m sells , makes a buff job look like glass, used to have some buffing compound called black beauty, messy but put a hsine on like nothing else, never seen it again.

[scherp69]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up using 3m perfect-it pads and 3m compound and polish. It's neat how when you're wet sanding you can actually watch the orange peel in the clear disappear. I think it turned out pretty good. Here's some pics:

After wet sanding to 2500

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/PICT00208-1.jpg

After buffing with 3M compound

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/PICT00253-1.jpg

After final polishing with 3M swirl remover/polish

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/PICT00324-1.jpg

[Topless69]

Mike it looks awsome...!!!!!! Love color..!!! What is it..??

[scherp69]

Thank Jeoff. It's House of Kolor's apple red. It's a base/clear version of candy apple red.

[Happyfunballs]

Did you use HOK clear? Love the way it buffs.

[Riderz Cycle]

Man that looks great...Good job keep up the photos

[scherp69]

Thanks guys. Yes it is HOK clear. It's part number UC35 and is polyurethane enamel klear. The one thing the sales guy said is that HOK uses more UV protection in their clear than most other companies. Good to know the paint will be protected.

[Gordz32]

Can I just make one suggestion. If your going to polish the paint, Sand up to the edges, just not on the edges. I can't stand looking at cars where people get scared and the cars flat up until about an inch from and edge. Take your time.

Chris

[scherp69]

Can I just make one suggestion. If your going to polish the paint, Sand up to the edges, just not on the edges. I can't stand looking at cars where people get scared and the cars flat up until about an inch from and edge. Take your time.

Chris

I agree with you on that one Chris. I just took the one photo of it sanded. After I took that photo, I ended up sanding the top edge as well as part of the cowel where it will be seen.