Wet Sanding Advice

[STIdarkside]

I'm getting ready to begin wet sanding the grille and mud guards that I purchased for my BE Legacy and would like some tips/advice on how to go about wet sanding.

I was able to get some 600 and 1000 grit sandpaper from a bodyshop. However, I was unable to get enough info on the process of wet sanding due to a family emergency...

Some advice on wet sanding would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[chuckthefuk]

what exactly are you trying to achieve?

Without that I cant guide you through it but heres a few tips.

Water + Dish soap + Wet Sand Paper = KEY!!!

The dish soap acts as a lubricant so sandpaper doesn't just stop gliding when the water starts to dry.

Pretty much apply a very light 4 finger pressure in a circular motion. The amount of wet-sanding is determined by you.

Grab a bucket.
Add some water and dish soap
Drop your sand paper into the water and let it soak up as much water as possible.
Get a spray bottle or squeeze bottle and fill it with water + dish soap.

Start sanding in a circular motion. Apply water + dish soap from the squeeze bottle to keep the surface lubricated.

Sand until happy.

Cheers
-Chuck

[STIdarkside]

There is some pitting in the mud guards from rock chips and the bodyshop I talked to told me that I should wet sand them myself before painting as it would save me a good amount of money... I'm just trying to prep them for paint and remove any imperfections like the rock chips...

Thanks for the info.

[chuckthefuk]

pffft.. that will take forever. you might as well just sand with 240/320 dry sand and finish with plastic primer.

Wetsand is designed to correct imperfections after the base stage and/or any imperfections after the clear stage.

You are shaving 1/10 of mm with wetsand.. Pitting involves more then 1mm dimples.

-Chuck

[STIdarkside]

The rock chips aren't very deep, but can I just pick up some 320 grit, then finish off with the 600 grit??? I'm just trying to save some money on the prep work before painting. The mud guards are used and need to be sanded smooth before painting. At least that is what the bodyshop told me before they would paint...

[chuckthefuk]

Yes sort of......

1) 320 grit will remove the pitting.
2) 600 wet or dry will make it very smooth
3) primer has to be applied. i don't know if the shop will do that.

If you prime and sand it you can save even more money since they have to do 0 prep besides mix the paint and clean the part before they spray.

A little bit of elbow grease and the proper primer can save you cash but this will take time..

-Chuck