wet sanding new clear coat

Start by liberally spraying an area a couple of square feet … Once you’ve applied the fresh coat, leave it for 24 hours to harden. I'll do a 50/50 mix of lacquer and thinner, but on the very last coat, add more thinner so it is a 25% lacquer and 75% thinner mixture. Using a finishing polish and a soft buffing pad, keep buffing until you attain a shiny surface. it was painted in a personal shop . I just had my 65 convertible mustang painted base coat,then clear coat. Also what compounds will I need to get a really nice deep shine. Follow these steps to make your car body shine like a floor model. Wet sanding is a great way to improve a good paint job and can even be used to help improve the quality of a poorly laid paid layer. While that’s soaking, wash and dry your car so the clear coat is fully exposed. Ensure that you’ve sanded the entire surface before you remove the masking tape. If we know we are going to be wet sanding a car we will put multiple coats of clear to provide enough material to allow for sanding without going through the clear … To prevent the coat from burning, keep the surface wet over and over again. Can I leave it dull looking for a matte look? Some cars I put 3 coats of clear on, then the next day cut it with 600 grit wet, then put on 2 more coats of clear. Clean the exterior of your car. Keep adding compound, the hotter the compound gets, the better it is for the end result. Should I reapply a clear coat after wet sanding? Wet sanding keeps the surface cleaner and lubricates the sand paper and the sanding area. If we know we are going to be wet sanding a car we will put multiple coats of clear to provide enough material to allow for sanding without going through the clear to the base color underneath. Soak a sheet of 1200-grit wet/dry sandpaper in water for 10 minutes. You can as you layer your clear coats. Wet sanding is a great way to improve a good paint job and can even be used to help improve the quality of a poorly laid paid layer. Don’t keep the buffer in one place for more than one or two seconds. What is the goal of using 600 grit to start wet sanding clear coat? Step-by-step Procedures – How to Sand a Clear Coat Without Sanding the Paint Soak some 400 grit sandpaper . A variable speed buffer with a lambs wool pad will be necessary to do a nice job. It has been about 70 days since it was painted. How to wet sand car paint: What do I Need to Wet Sand Clear Coat? Help! The good news is that waxing your vehicle facilitates easy washing and prevents chippings from the paint. However, I’m going to introduce you to a pretty cool – quick fix – where we’ll use a Scotch Brite pad, then ‘blend’ the new with the existing clear coat. Microfiber towels work well for cleaning smooth surfaces because it has fibers which are free from dust. I started with 1500 grit (by hand) and then 3000 grit on a DA (wet).. Michael is the Editor at thetoolgeeks.com. And why 600 and not other grits, like 800 or 1,000? I sanded half of the hood in ten minutes. Still, move the pad frequently to avoid overheating. Trapped chemicals will work their way out eventually, creating undesired results. Trizact hook-it 3 3000 grit before polishing with a dyna-brade DA The wet rag will keep the surface moist throughout the process. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This article was co-authored by Angel Ricardo. So there were some mistakes in the clear coat. Even though a glossy car coat looks like it can be done only in an expensive body shop, wet sanding a clear coat is a pretty straightforward process, albeit a considerable amount of work. This will give the surface a little roughness, something for the new clear coat to adhere to. Sanding the Surfaces. You may be wondering if sanding a clear coat is something that you can handle; then, the absolute answer is yes. The clear coat should be wet-sanded with 400 grit sandpaper. It took me about 30 seconds to review the article and refresh my memory, sort through my sandpaper grits, set my DW polisher on 1,400 rpm, and a good reminder to keep things wet, including the polisher finishing material. The clear is allowed to cure, with one or two more coats to follow. Best Drywall Sanders – Refinish Your Drywall Faster & Better, Best Straight Line Sanders – Detailed Reviews & Buying Guide, 5 Best Tool Belt For Drywallers 2020 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide, 5 Best LVLP Spray Guns 2020 – Chosen By A Professional Painter. It's more time consuming, but the process makes the touch-up nearly invisible. Best Lineman Tool Bag 2020: Never Lose a Tool Again, Best Latex Paint Sprayers – Top Picks & Buyers Guide, Best 10-Inch Miter Saws: Don’t Buy Without Reading This, 5 Best HVAC Tool Belt 2020 – Find The One That Fits Your Needs. Approved. Occasionally, change the direction of sanding using faintly diagonal directions from the previous strokes. Now that you’ve cleaned and soaked the clear coat surface, the next step is to sand it. The total number will depend upon how thick your coats are, how much sanding you do, and what your final desired film thickness is. Finally, use a rubbing compound and a high speed buffer to buff the car and make it shine. The scratches are wholly covered, and the bumps are no more. That’s why most manufactured vehicles have a clear coat finish. And is not necessary with BC/CC. (what pads)? Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for flash off, proper reducers and temp recommendations, as well as the total number of clear coats. I’m give you a before and after results on this project. Generally speaking, touch-ups don't adhere to the surface quite as well unless they've had a lot of time to settle in. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. It is often a step in polishing cars and other items. ", the sanding process. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 222,559 times. This will smooth out the surface and allow for a super shine finish. Re: The proper way to wet sand a Gel coat hull I've brought back 2 gel coats with course buffing compound, light compound then a good wax. Professionals use this technique to leave your car with an ultimate shine and sparkles that are eye-catching. I would think that the base coat would show imperfections unless you wet sand it before you hit it with the clear. Need Help ColorSanding and Buffing – SPI Clear Products Used: Silver Metallic Base Coat SPI –UV Clear Fresh- 1 week old, air dried, no bake Norton Black Ice P1000, P1500, P2000 all wet by hand Tried one piece of 3M Trizact 3000 wet by hand also on atest M105 on 8” 3M Wool Compounding Pad05719 (recommended for Perfect-it step 1) The idea is to build up a thick layer of finish, then polish it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. However, more experienced professionals can choose to use Buffmaster. Dewalt buffer is used in a vast range of applications since it gives a superior buffing outcome. One light coat clear and one wet coat. For most of us, finishing means applying varnish, polyurethane, or paint with a brush. Wet sanding makes clean up a ton easier and allows you to sand without all the dust while still getting a glass smooth finish. This is a fantastic, accurate, easy-to-follow write-up with simple and informative drawings. How to Sand a Clear Coat Without Sanding the Paint. Using either a sand block or a rubber pad helps to fit in with your panel shapes. The clear coat should be wet-sanded with 400 grit sandpaper. Deep scratches that reach the metal, for instance, often cannot be repaired through wet sanding alone. Periodically take a step back to look at your progress and make sure everything looks even. Wet sanding is a dirty, wet, and long process but well worth the work! However, the amount of orange peel formed will depend on either the paint’s thickness or how you apply the clear coat. I just had my 65 convertible mustang painted base coat,then clear coat. Why isn't applying clear coat after wet-sanding or cutting standard auto detailing practice? I kind of started this for you just a while ago. Keep in mind that more coats does not necessarily mean depth in the shine. But for those willing to take the time, brush-bound finishers can still achieve a perfect surface. Sand the surface to 320-grit. Wait a day or so to let the clear coat harden if the finishing is new. The skills and supplies needed to wet sand your enamel paint job are few, so don't be intimidated. base coat/clear coat sanding tips Discussion in 'Body Restoration' started by Darknight, Sep 29, 2006. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. To keep the work wet, should I spray water when compound buffing, or add more compound? I’m give you a before and after results on this project. The sanding steps help diminish the clear coat until the entire surface is smooth. To fix damaged clear coat, you'll need to clean the area, sand the old coat away, and spray on the new coat and polish. What should I do if the clear coat on my car is coming off in different places? All clear sanding is done wet. I am in need of some advice and information. However, it is essential to know the “do and don’t” of wet sanding. Today’s topic is How To Color-Sand and Buff Clear Coat To Get PRO Mirror Finishes. It is only after the clear coat has set so that you can go ahead to sand and buff. If there could be the need, allow the car body to air dry. This was cery helpful. While the entire process might take a considerable amount of time, you must do it with a lot of patience and attention. Wet "sanding" sounds dangerous for the coat. Angel Ricardo is the owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail headquartered in Venice, California. Sand with one hand, and use your other hand to keep the surface wet with your rag. Just make sure you buff after or else you'll be left with a very dull clear coat. Before you sand, apply masking tape on the delicate surfaces to prevent them from getting scratched. Now that you are familiar with these steps, you have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to sanding a clear coat. Ensure you clean the car first to sand the clear coat efficiently. Then, soak 2000-grit sandpaper in water for an hour before sanding around the damage to blend the repair area with the clear coat. Sanding a clear coat can seem challenging, but it’s not. [1] Soak the sandpaper in clean water In not less than an hour. With your soaked paper in one hand and a wet rag in the other, begin sanding with long strokes all in the direction wind travels across the car: from bumper to windshield, for example. But if you are up to the task, we’ll show you how to do it. The top of the hatch on a Ford Escape. Wet sanding will turn your new enamel paint job from a spotty, uneven mess into a glazed finish that will make your car gleam. Start by washing the area with soapy water. Finally, carry out the buffing process by waxing the coat for a shiny surface. It facilitates the excellent performance of your car and its durability. No it's perfectly fine. Step Three and Four: Wet Sand With 2000 and 3000 Fine Grade. After working on each section, use a rag soaked in a solution of water and car soap to keep the surface wet, which will prevent the clear coat from burning. This article has been viewed 222,559 times. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A good UV protected clear coat specifically designed for a polycarbonate surface could be a reasonably good solution after sanding and then buffing the headlight as demonstrated in this video. To get a show luster finish, the clearcoat is first wet-sanded with 1,000- to 2,000-grit paper, which yields exactly the opposite finish you would expect. When wet sanding the clearcoat, replace the orange peel with finer scratches to smooth the entire surface. Once you’ve sanded your car, clean the space with an alcohol-based cleaner, like glass cleaner, and scuff it with a fine grit, woven scuffing pad. I only had 2 coats on the trunk. On the other hand, it’s advisable not to use a power sander since it destroys panel shapes. Also, remember to keep your surface wet throughout as you work. The clear coat on your car is only about as thick as a sheet of paper. Just what to know if you wet sand the base coat then spray the clear and wet sand the clear or do you prime-base-clear than wet sand just the clear. This is a pretty cool project. Color sanding between coats will help with smoother flow coats, giving that depth to your shine. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I have 3 coats of clear on it. % of people told us that this article helped them. How many layers of clear coat are typically needed before I can wet sand? Best to do it right the first time. Just be careful to allow adequate flash times before color sanding and flow coats. You want to hit the surface with some 1000 grit wet sanding. Notably, applying paint is a skill that is most likely to be done by a professional. You may also want to wet sand if you’re doing bodywork to ensure that the surface of the vehicle is smooth before applying paint. Essentially, wet sanding is the process of sanding a car with water. This article has been viewed 222,559 times. [3] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source Follow the bottle’s directions carefully. If you're wondering how lightly, … Then, sand the area with a fine-grit scratch pad to get rid of the old coat. Calendyr. Is it likely that this is clear coat damage even if I did everything by hand and limited the number of passes? Angel Ricardo. Wet-sand the base coat before starting the clear coat. If the clear coat has delaminated from the base coat and is flaking off, you need to wax and protect the clear coat from day one to avoid that. It’s not necessary but it makes the job easier. He used to own a local shop where he sold different tools for 20+ years. When through, dry off the area and make the surface look dull. With over 10 years of experience in mobile detailing, Angel continues to attend auto detailing trainings to improve his customer service and auto detailing skills. For instance, you can sand a small area at a time. Should I buff before painting on additional clear coat after sanding the touch-up paint, or add clear coat on top of the sanded area, let dry, then buff? If the clear coat on the paint has scuffing and scratches, however, wet sanding may be the right solution for you. You can add a drop of dish detergent to keep the paper's abrasives from clogging. The new clear coat will never be as strong as the original and will fail much quicker. it was painted in a personal shop . Thankfully, it makes the surface more clean and free from residue. Move the buffer more often to prevent one surface from overheating. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Wet-Sand-a-Clear-Coat-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Wet-Sand-a-Clear-Coat-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Wet-Sand-a-Clear-Coat-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid886309-v4-728px-Wet-Sand-a-Clear-Coat-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"