Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

Wetsanding, how do you do it?

Old 06-02-2006, 03:59 PM
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Default Wetsanding, how do you do it?

Well it looks like the nose of the car is going to need more than just some polish, the clear is looking pretty bad, so I'm wondering if a little wetsanding will bring it back
Problem is I don't know how (other than the obvious soapy water and fine grit paper)
So does anyone have any tips, tricks, advice, dos or don'ts, favorite products, stuff to stay away from
All suggestions appreciated
TIA
Old 06-02-2006, 04:17 PM
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Keep your fingers together, or better yet use a block. Dont web your fingers out, as this will make the pressure different in differant areas. Use like a 3x3 section of 2000 grit, and keep it WET!
Old 06-02-2006, 04:37 PM
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let the pros do it
Old 06-02-2006, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by luckyou03
let the pros do it
Definitely...or, at a minimum, practice first on something else (preferably of little or no value).
Old 06-02-2006, 04:53 PM
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id say keep rubbing to a minimum. i tried it on my fender because it was getting a repaint anyway.. it smoothed out nice but one part had a little grey spot like it was burnt.
Old 06-02-2006, 05:03 PM
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also dont use less than 2000 grit if your using a porter cable. may cause unrecoverable swirls unless you go to a rotary or something more. this was after keying the car, filling it with touch up, sanding it down then polishing. the key marks went away but i didnt do it right and did something to the paint.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74...2467resize.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74...2470resize.jpg light two passes with ssr 2.5 w/ yellow pad
still looks swirled in the flash. probably from using 1500 grit or rubbing too hard

dont worry though she is all better now
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74...3094resize.jpg
Old 06-02-2006, 06:04 PM
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Use 2000 grit with soapy water or a little detailing spray mixed in. This will provide a slicker surface and is especially helpful if this is the first time you've ever wetsanded. Also, go back and forth in small, light strokes, not in a circular stroke. Check progess often by rinsing and drying the area. When it's flat move onto the next area. Rougher grit can be used by not recommended if this is your first time. I like to have my wife stand beside me with a hose and keep a steady light stream of water going over the surface. This rinses away all sanding residue immediately.
Old 06-02-2006, 06:14 PM
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Wash the area real well. sand with 2,000 grit wrapped with small foam block. Have a sponge soaked with soap and water that you can squeeze above the work area while you sand insuring you wont work any debris into the clear coat. Dont sand in just one direction, be sure to use a X pattern. Sand a small area then rinse off and dry real quick checking your work. Once it is completely sanded move onto the next area. After everything is sanded begin buffing out with rubbing compound and working your way up to a fine polish.
Old 06-02-2006, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by parbreak
Use 2000 grit with soapy water or a little detailing spray mixed in. This will provide a slicker surface and is especially helpful if this is the first time you've ever wetsanded. Also, go back and forth in small, light strokes, not in a circular stroke. Check progess often by rinsing and drying the area. When it's flat move onto the next area. Rougher grit can be used by not recommended if this is your first time. I like to have my wife stand beside me with a hose and keep a steady light stream of water going over the surface. This rinses away all sanding residue immediately.
Shoulda just waited for you to answer.... could have saved me the typing
Old 06-02-2006, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by stryker14
Shoulda just waited for you to answer.... could have saved me the typing
Great minds think alike!
Old 06-02-2006, 06:18 PM
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Is that your factory clear coat?
Old 06-02-2006, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 2K2WS6TA
Well it looks like the nose of the car is going to need more than just some polish, the clear is looking pretty bad
What exactly is going on with the clear to make you think it needs sanding? Picture?

What compounds/polishes have you used trying to fix the problem?
Old 06-02-2006, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ZaneO
What exactly is going on with the clear to make you think it needs sanding? Picture?

What compounds/polishes have you used trying to fix the problem?

good question. just because wet sanding CAN fix it, doesn't mean it is the best way to do it.

You should always start with the least aggressive method, and then move up as needed, and there are several steps to try prior to wet sanding. including a DA and a rotary.

I would say take a couple of good pics, in the sun, straight on, and post them up .. let some of us look at them prior to wet sanding.
Old 06-02-2006, 08:27 PM
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I normally prefer to start with a belt sander with 60 grit
Old 06-02-2006, 09:08 PM
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He had another thread about little spots that he couldn't really describe or take pictures of because his cam had just broken.
Old 06-02-2006, 09:26 PM
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Looks like this (only not as bad)


I've tried the Menzerna IP&FP with a PC and sonus orange pad (that usually takes damn near any defect out of my paint, but it hasn't touched this stuff)
BTW thanks to 02 firechicken for the pic
Old 06-02-2006, 10:29 PM
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If those are divots, no amount of wetsanding will help. It needs to be re-painted.


-Mike
Old 06-02-2006, 10:44 PM
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Mike is correct .., if it really looks that bad, repaint is aout the only hope.

A rotary, cutting pad and some Meg's diamond cut would be were I would start (after claying,prep, etc), but it sure won't do anything for divots like that ..


My first thought when I saw that pic was Wow, I have never seen an f-body with a fleckstone bumper before.
Old 06-02-2006, 11:16 PM
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They aren't divots, they are more like etching in the clear, as if some type of acidic substance has been sprayed on it
I'll probably go ahead and try to wet sand the etching out, I've already been given a quote to reclear the front ($200 doesn't sound too much to me)
Once the camera gets recharged (had to get a new SDcard, the other got f*cked up somehow) I'll post a pic of what mine actually looks like
Old 06-03-2006, 02:15 AM
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I bet your nose looks just like my black T/A...I'm going to have it looked at soon by a pro to see if it can be worked out, or if it's going to need spray. Mine looks like the pic above, but not quite as bad...I'll try to get a shot tomorrow.

I tried 3M's rubbing compounds on an orange pad with PC, and it didn't touch it either.

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