Sanding clear coat question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,411
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From: Dandridge TN
Sanding clear coat question?
My paint gun started to spit and sputter during the second coat of my clear. Like a dumb azz I continued on and thought that I could put it on a little heavier and do alot of color sanding. Well in some places it is thicker than others and I am afraid that I am going to sand through. My question is can I apply another couple of coats of clear over the existing clear after I have it sanded down smooth? If so what grit of sand paper should I use? I am using 1500 now, but I am afraid that will make the finish too smooth for the clear to adhere to. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (Steve Adkins)
Yes, you can sand the clear coat but 1500 grit might take you a while .you could use anything up to 400 grit but I would use either 600,800 or 1000 but dont sand through ,ecspecially on corners and edges.You could also scuff sand it ( not completely smooth ) and then scuff/clean with ajax and scotchbrite pad.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (paintdaddy)
Thanks alot paintdaddy! Will two coats be sufficient over the two sanded coats? Also, before I re-clear should I clean with wax/degreaser? Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 195
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From: Van Buren AR
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (Steve Adkins)
I have painted cars for over thirty years and what you did has happened to me many times. Use 600 wet or dry sandpaper and use it wet with a little bit of liquid soap like Ivory in the water. If you are afraid of sanding through the edges, etc use a gray scotch brite pad on those areas.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (Steve Adkins)
Yes you can use wax and grease remover,and i would put 3 or 4 coats of clear .My "rule of thumb "is that you are probably going to sand 1 coat off in the sand and polish stage.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Dandridge TN
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (paintdaddy)
Thanks paintdaddy! You have been a big help. I was afraid that if I scuffed the clear and re-cleared that my finish would not be as good and the color would not be as true due to the scuffed clear over the base.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 108
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From: Western Texas
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (Arkansas Flash)
Arkansas Flash:
I "think" my black 77 has been clearcoated....but I've been wondering.
Has anyone applied clear over old (mature?) paint. If I could do so then I would be more comfortable in wet sanding.
Any advice appreciated.
Bill
I "think" my black 77 has been clearcoated....but I've been wondering.
Has anyone applied clear over old (mature?) paint. If I could do so then I would be more comfortable in wet sanding.
Any advice appreciated.
Bill
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 195
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From: Van Buren AR
Re: Sanding clear coat question? (mox 77)
When you recoat with clear over clear the initial coat of clear will fill all of the sandscratch marks that are left from 600 wet or dry paper. If you were to sand it with 240 grit dry paper, you wouldn't fill all the scratch makes up and after the paint shrank they would start showing up.
It depends on what kind of paint you are using as to how many coats you can reapply. If you are using urethane I would put on three full wet coats. You do not want to sand through these last coats that you are putting on when you wet sand to polish because you will see the edge of the clear that is on there now. It will make a halo in the paint in the sunlight and under certain artificial lighting. Wait extra time before you put the third full wet coat on because you'll have it on the floor if you rush it.
You can clear coat over old finishes. Body shops do it all the time when they blend a panel to make the paint match. You have to clean the surface really well with grease and wax remover first. If the finish is old, I recommend that you do this about three times before you start rounghing up the paint to apply the clear. Then after you finish sanding and get the car all taped off, etc. come back and hit it with grease and wax remover one more time just before you paint.
It depends on what kind of paint you are using as to how many coats you can reapply. If you are using urethane I would put on three full wet coats. You do not want to sand through these last coats that you are putting on when you wet sand to polish because you will see the edge of the clear that is on there now. It will make a halo in the paint in the sunlight and under certain artificial lighting. Wait extra time before you put the third full wet coat on because you'll have it on the floor if you rush it.
You can clear coat over old finishes. Body shops do it all the time when they blend a panel to make the paint match. You have to clean the surface really well with grease and wax remover first. If the finish is old, I recommend that you do this about three times before you start rounghing up the paint to apply the clear. Then after you finish sanding and get the car all taped off, etc. come back and hit it with grease and wax remover one more time just before you paint.
