Sandpaper...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Sandpaper...
I read an article off of West System's site referring to the use of specific sandpapers and surface contamination.
"Zinc stearate is applied to some types of sandpaper to keep it from loading quickly. Stearate, a chemical similar to animal fat, has the potential to create a contaminated surface just by sanding. We suggest you use aluminum oxide or waterproof wet/dry sandpaper that has not been treated with stearate."
I've been using klingspor sanding discs for my project...their website states (for my sandpaper) "Our premium stearated material is made convenient in these disc rolls. This is a heavy B-weight paper backing with aluminum oxide grains and a no-load stearate coating."
Will it really make that much of a difference if I continue using my sandpaper for the project...or will it affect the topcoats on the car? Should I swap sandpaper for something different...I spent $120 on three 100 disc rolls.
"Zinc stearate is applied to some types of sandpaper to keep it from loading quickly. Stearate, a chemical similar to animal fat, has the potential to create a contaminated surface just by sanding. We suggest you use aluminum oxide or waterproof wet/dry sandpaper that has not been treated with stearate."
I've been using klingspor sanding discs for my project...their website states (for my sandpaper) "Our premium stearated material is made convenient in these disc rolls. This is a heavy B-weight paper backing with aluminum oxide grains and a no-load stearate coating."
Will it really make that much of a difference if I continue using my sandpaper for the project...or will it affect the topcoats on the car? Should I swap sandpaper for something different...I spent $120 on three 100 disc rolls.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
And good practice dictates you're going to clean the surface with a wax and grease remover before you prime/paint anyway, right?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
we dip mixed runbber compound in a 5% zinc stearate solution to keep ot from sticking to itself before we extrude it into hoses.
Follw standard procedures for wax and grease remover prior to spraying and you should be fine.
Follw standard procedures for wax and grease remover prior to spraying and you should be fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
You may want to test prep an old car hood or trunk lid from a boneyard to replicate your final process. This will allow you to see what might happen. Also a handy way to get a feel for the gun and get your spray pattern down if it's been a while since you've painted. As others have said though, a proper paint prep. should take care of it.
