Gritty Guestion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
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From: Waterville Ohio
Gritty Guestion
I'm thinking of doing some wet sanding to the nose and tail end of my '81 since they both look like they have tiny little fractures in the paint 
. I'm sure this is because it is original paint, but you have to get really close to see it. What grit sandpaper should I start out with 
. Here is a picture of the Beige close-up
. I'm sure this is because it is original paint, but you have to get really close to see it. What grit sandpaper should I start out with . Here is a picture of the Beige close-up
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
I am not a body expert but I would avoid wet sanding. These bumpers are flexible urethane (assuming they are original equipment) and flex. You may be able to smooth and remove paint cracks by wet sanding, but you will only find more cracks surface within a short period of time.
From the factory, a flex agent (plasticiser) is added to the paint and it becomes ineffective over the years due to UV and environmental breakdown. That's why you have cracks. They are as common as a cold.
My opinion is to use light duty rubbing compound or a "cleaner wax" system in an effort to remove sediment from the crackw minimizing their appearance while maintaining the thickness of the paint. Also, it's a lot more foolproof to go this way as wet sanding can be tricky.
I'm sure a thousand people will weigh in on this. Good luck!
From the factory, a flex agent (plasticiser) is added to the paint and it becomes ineffective over the years due to UV and environmental breakdown. That's why you have cracks. They are as common as a cold.
My opinion is to use light duty rubbing compound or a "cleaner wax" system in an effort to remove sediment from the crackw minimizing their appearance while maintaining the thickness of the paint. Also, it's a lot more foolproof to go this way as wet sanding can be tricky.
I'm sure a thousand people will weigh in on this. Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
You may want to try a mild rubbing compound before pulling the paper out. If that doesn't bring up the finish then try to block it out wet with 2000 and compound it again.
Don't use anything real aggressive at this point or you'll end up in a paint booth.
Don't use anything real aggressive at this point or you'll end up in a paint booth.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
I guess I should explain better then I did in my first thread. I don't want to get rid of the small cracks, I just want to bring back the shine since they fade different then the fiberglas. I've tried auto polish #7, and also hand rubbedwith not much luck 
. It is the original paint so I don't want to ruin anything if wet sanding is not the answer.
. It is the original paint so I don't want to ruin anything if wet sanding is not the answer.
