Wet Sanding
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Heath Ohio
Wet Sanding
I was wondering if anyone on here had their car wet sanded and then buffed out to remove the orange peel? I was thinking of getting it done on my black 99 and was wondering how much it would cost to have it done, a ball park figure???? Thanks for your help... oh yeah, do you notice a big difference? I did post this on car care but it seems more people read this general forum.... Thanks again...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
I didn't have mine wet sanded, but I buffed it myself and the difference was amazing. I would imagine the results would be even better with wetsanding. You could always do it yourself and save some money. If you're afraid of hurting the paint just use a VERY fine grit paper and plenty of water (~4000 grit).
My car
Close up of drivers fender
My car
Close up of drivers fender
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Calabash NC
you'll need a wet sanding pad.... looks like a rubber pad with holes in it. you can start with 1000 grit. as you sand you will see dull spots appear, those are the high spots. as the whole paint surface starts to get dull switch to 1500 grit. after the whole thing is dull go back over it with 2000 grit. Use light pressure with the pad as you don't want to have uneven pressure caused by you finger tips to make the surface uneven. Soak the paper for at least an hour before using it. use a spray bottle of water with a little dish soap in it to keep the surface wet and clean of residue. you can use a hose turned on lightly but I think the soap works better and you can see your progress better. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Just keep in mind that if you wet sand the finish, you're sanding the clear coat off the car. The clear coat is about the thickness of a sheet of newsprint. Good luck! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,210
Likes: 104
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Father & Son St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Biker Bob
you'll need a wet sanding pad.... looks like a rubber pad with holes in it. you can start with 1000 grit. as you sand you will see dull spots appear, those are the high spots. as the whole paint surface starts to get dull switch to 1500 grit. after the whole thing is dull go back over it with 2000 grit. Use light pressure with the pad as you don't want to have uneven pressure caused by you finger tips to make the surface uneven. Soak the paper for at least an hour before using it. use a spray bottle of water with a little dish soap in it to keep the surface wet and clean of residue. you can use a hose turned on lightly but I think the soap works better and you can see your progress better.
However, on a black vette, start and only use 2000 grit IMO. Also, have a hose and 3 buckets of clean water (with a little soap) handy and keep one bucket realy clean etc. Use blue painters tape and tape off the edges. A stiff sponge wrapped in sandpaper will work but I have also used a portion of a wooden paint stick wrapped in sandpaper.
Find out how much a shop will charge to buff the car if you sand it with 2000 grit yourself. Make sure they guarantee they won't leave swirl marks and you'll want to wash the car with dawn dish soap after you get her back and look at the paint in direct sunlight and thell them you're going to do that so they won't waste their time hiding any swirl marks with a glaze. Getting black perfect without swirl marks is tough. I just ordered new foam pads and a fine polish to remove swirl marks I still have from buffing with a swirl remover on July 4th. I'm building fiberglass panels and enclosures for my stereo project and I have sanding and woodworking dust all over. I can't keep my paint from getting fine scratches in it while I complete this project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Personally I wouldn't recommend doing so. Our OEM paint jobs don't have a very think clear-coat so you wouldn't want to ware down any thinner than it is. The painters of typical show cars already have this in mind when they're painting for show quality. They will therefore apply many more coats of clear to afford them such an option. Don't misunderstand me, it can be done. But if you continue to polish your Vette as much as most of us, you'll ware through your clear coat sooner. If I were to do this to my Vette, I would wet sand the existing clear coat with 400 grit, then apply at least 6 more coats of clear ... then wet sand and buff that
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 329
Likes: 18
To answer your question,Yes,I've done mine.Did it the first week I had the car.The orange peel on these cars is awful,and if you ever want to get your car "really" looking good ,you have to sand it first.I would never recomend this for a "do it yourselfer".Any good body shop should be able to do it for you.I start with 1500 ,then 2000,then two grades of compound and finish with a machine glaze on a foam pad .Stay away from the edges and any sharp creases.Keep it wet and clean and use a small squeegie so you can see what your doing.Based on the time I spent on mine I would imagine they would charge around $1000.Too bad your not in my part of the country,since I do car polishing as a sideline.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 26
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From: Heath Ohio
still not sure
Well I found a guy that would wet sand, buff and then wax the car really cheap. However I am not sure I want someone taking sandpaper to the car, even though I would like the finish product. If it was a quality job. He did take out a few little scratches for me on the rear bumper corners with wet sanding and buffing though and did a great job. I want it done just leery yet.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,710
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From: Langhorne PA
Originally Posted by Jackyl99
I was wondering if anyone on here had their car wet sanded and then buffed out to remove the orange peel? I was thinking of getting it done on my black 99 and was wondering how much it would cost to have it done, a ball park figure???? Thanks for your help... oh yeah, do you notice a big difference? I did post this on car care but it seems more people read this general forum.... Thanks again...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Originally Posted by C5VetteLS1
Personally I wouldn't recommend doing so. Our OEM paint jobs don't have a very think clear-coat so you wouldn't want to ware down any thinner than it is. The painters of typical show cars already have this in mind when they're painting for show quality. They will therefore apply many more coats of clear to afford them such an option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Jackyl99
Well I found a guy that would wet sand, buff and then wax the car really cheap. However I am not sure I want someone taking sandpaper to the car, even though I would like the finish product. If it was a quality job. He did take out a few little scratches for me on the rear bumper corners with wet sanding and buffing though and did a great job. I want it done just leery yet.
It's your call, but I feel strongly that you're making a big mistake. I really didn't want to post my negativity again, but I'd feel worse reading your post on how to fix it a week later. By the way, I paint Aircraft, Cars and Motorcycles as part of my daily job.
Best wishes,
Richard
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 280
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From: Calabash NC
I sanded and buffed both of my C4's my Impala SS and my C5 unless you get crazy I think you could get by doing it twice. I makes a big difference in the appearance 
Due to an accident I just had my C5 repainted and had 5 coats of clear sanded between coats and I'm gonna sand and buff it in a couple months
Due to an accident I just had my C5 repainted and had 5 coats of clear sanded between coats and I'm gonna sand and buff it in a couple months