body prep question-pre-paint
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
body prep question-pre-paint
aloha..finishing up sanding my vette for paint..took a lot longer than i thought..i just finished the entire body with wet 400 grit..is this good enough to go into shop now or do i need to use a finner grit first ? ..car feels super smooth and i filled in all the chips ect...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (1980 razz)
me personally like 600 when im done smoother and shows no sand scratchs when the paint dries later on ,but some people think 400 for better adhesion,ive never had a problem 600 so far so ill stay with it.just my 2 cents :D oh when you get it painted show some pics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (1980 razz)
If you're painting it a non-metallic color the 400 should be fine. If metallic, especially a light metallic like silver, 600 or 800 will be better so less sanding scratches show through.
Shannon
Shannon
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (sb69coupe)
Ok, this maybe a stupid question but I really don't know the answer. How do you know when you have sanded enough? I know you are supposed to spray a light coat of black or some other darker color to find high spots. But I really don't understand this proccess. :crazy: :confused:
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,384
Likes: 6,408
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (wadew10)
400 wet will show sanding scratches after "shrink-back". You want to give the car a light guide coat and then sand the entire surface until the guide coat is gone with 600 grit wet. This will assure you that you will not end up with any visible sanding lines in your finished product. The 600 grit process is a little tedious, since it's about as effective as sanding the car with a wet paper bag, but you will obtain a perfect pre-paint prepared surface.
If you need more info in this, or the guide coat process, drop me an e-mail and I'll send you out a copy of my Paint Basics paper.
If you need more info in this, or the guide coat process, drop me an e-mail and I'll send you out a copy of my Paint Basics paper.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (wadew10)
hey wade..when ur arm,hand and fingers go numb and and u have turned a different colour (same colour as ur vette) u know u have sanded enough..no really once u start u will get to know real fast..this was my first sanding project and it was time consuming but not too bad..i just primered in all the chips as told my another forum member and sanded that area till it was filled in then wet dry sanded the entire vette..turned out nice and smooth,crossing my fingures on the painting and hoping it turns out this good too...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (1980 razz)
Hi Razz
I would go with a 600 or 800 wet or dry. The 400 will tend to show scratches when the topcoats dry back. I've found that the easiest way to see your sanding progress is to sand the area and then squegee it. You should have a uniform flat finish with no deep sanding marks. You can use this same technique when color sanding. Good luck. :seeya
I would go with a 600 or 800 wet or dry. The 400 will tend to show scratches when the topcoats dry back. I've found that the easiest way to see your sanding progress is to sand the area and then squegee it. You should have a uniform flat finish with no deep sanding marks. You can use this same technique when color sanding. Good luck. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (vettfixr)
hey vettfixr i met you at the ocean city show weve been going to a show in turnerville on friday night s at fuddruckers parking lot been good turnoutits only 15 minutes from you,you should go somenight.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (pats406nitrovette)
Hi pat
Remember you well. I do go ocasionally to the Fuddrukers and it's amazing to see some of the machines that show up. I'm going to be in a show this Sunday at Smithville sponsored by Boardwalk Corvettes (The Smithville Vette Review). I'm hoping that the weather holds out because Smithville usually has a nice show. Stop by if you get a chance. :seeya
Remember you well. I do go ocasionally to the Fuddrukers and it's amazing to see some of the machines that show up. I'm going to be in a show this Sunday at Smithville sponsored by Boardwalk Corvettes (The Smithville Vette Review). I'm hoping that the weather holds out because Smithville usually has a nice show. Stop by if you get a chance. :seeya
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
Re: body prep question-pre-paint (Paul 75 L82)
wow..ur paint job turned out great..id love to show some before and after pics if i could only figure out how to post the pics :confused:
