Outstanding information, Robert! Since I'm a beginner with painting, I need
all the help I can get. Robert, Chet, Tom, and others have provided an
excellent "short course" in painting and preparation (sanding, etc.).
Thanks very much guys. Perfect example of why I love this group!
Tom Caperton
47-2nd 3100....in Whiteville, NC
tcape@weblnk.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "BelAir Bob" <rogerz@planetwide.com>
To: "tcape" <tcape@weblnk.net>; "Oletrucks" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Wet sanding
> Tom,
>
> There are two stages of the paint process when you can wet sand. The
first
> is the final sanding of the primer coat before painting. The second is
after
> the paint has dried before polishing.
>
> I'm sure others have different techniques for wet sanding but this one was
> taught to me by a buddy who produces consistent show winning paint jobs.
>
> The pupose of wet sanding the primer is to produce a MUCH smoother paint
> finish. The technique I use involves a five gallon bucket of warm water,
a
> few drops of dish soap, a large sponge, 600 grit 3M Wet or Dry sand paper
> and a can of cheap flat black spray paint. I do not use a sanding block
for
> wet sanding. The procedure starts by applying a "guide coat" of flat
black
> spray paint. This coat should be nothing more than hazy black stripes a
few
> inches, 4" to 5", over the entire piece to be sanded. You don't want to
> make solid black stripes, they should look a little heavier than just over
> spray would. The purpose of the stripes is to indicate where you have
> sanded and where you may have missed a spot. I start by soaking the
> sandpaper for about 30 minutes to soften up the paper. This makes the
paper
> backing more plyable. The actual process of sanding starts with me
cutting
> each sheet of paper into thirds and folding the piece I'm going to use
into
> thirds. I "load" the sponge with water, wet down the area where I'm going
> to start and then begin sanding in a circular motion. You need to be ver
> cafeful not to sand with your fingertips. This can cause shallow groves
in
> the primer coat. Instead, keep the paper back under you fingers, say from
> the first knucke down. This gives good even sanding pressure. Be sure to
> take off and rings you might normally wear and even trim you finger nails.
> The finger nail thing sounds funny but I have seen "sanding scratches"
from
> a buddy of mine that has particularly thick finger nails and bad sanding
> technique. There are times when you will have to use you fingertips to
sand
> but just go easy when you do. As I sand with one hand, I keep a constant
> trickle of water running from the sponge. You can tell when you aren't
> using enough water when the paper sticks to the surface. Be sure to dip
the
> paper in your water bucket fairly often to rinse of the "sludge" that
builds
> up on it. I continue on in this fashion until all of the guide coat is
> gone. I finish the wet sanding procedure with a good wash job, water with
a
> tiny amount of dish soap, of the entire piece and a complete drying with
> disposable towels. In my experience, if I have done a propper job of
> sanding, the primer will actually have a low shine to it.
>
>
> Wet snading the finished paint before polishing is done with the same
basic
> technique with a few exceptions. First and foremost, do not spray a guide
> coat. Second, at this point I actually sand the entire piece twice, once
> with 1500 grit and once with 2000. After the water has been dried from
the
> sanded piece any area you missed will be glossy. Once all the missed
areas
> are sanded you can polish the paint. I don't do the polishing so I can't
> comment on the procedure.
>
> I hope this rather long winded explination helps.
>
> Robert Rogers
> 57 Belair Sport Coupe restored to original
> 55 -2 3105
> 55 -2 6400
> 55 -2 3100 Wife's project
> 57 3100
> 82/86 GMC Sierra SLE Crew Cab 1/2 ton short bed (For Sale)
> and a few others
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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