What sand paper grit shall I use??

LandyBoy007 · Feb 20, 2018

Hi Guys,

I am now preparing the series 3 body. Can I ask, what grit sand paper is best for preparing the body for painting? I have started off with 80 on my orbital sander....then working my way up 120,180,240? Is this the best way?? What grit is best?

Will

Colthebrummie · Feb 21, 2018

The finer the grit, the smoother the finish but the harder the work, so I guess it depends on what finish you want, how the body is going to be painted and your level of commitment and patience. If your just going to go over it with a roller, it's not worth getting it mirror flat but if it's going for a professional respray, you need to flat it until it feels like glass. Personally, I hate prepping bodywork for painting so I usually stop after about the third grade.

Col

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

Colthebrummie said:
The finer the grit, the smoother the finish but the harder the work, so I guess it depends on what finish you want, how the body is going to be painted and your level of commitment and patience. If your just going to go over it with a roller, it's not worth getting it mirror flat but if it's going for a professional respray, you need to flat it until it feels like glass. Personally, I hate prepping bodywork for painting so I usually stop after about the third grade.

Col

Hi Col,
Thanks
So would you say start at 80, 120,180,240 in that order??
Will

wammers · Feb 21, 2018

You don't use sand paper on bodywork unless it's wood of course.

JohnM70 · Feb 21, 2018

240 is still quite sharp. You can use Wet & Dry down to 1200 if you really want to mess about...
http://www.mhpltd.co.uk/categories/abrasives-disc-velcro-finishing-wet-production-paper

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
240 is still quite sharp. You can use Wet & Dry down to 1200 if you really want to mess about...

Hi John,

I have an orbital sander with 80 grit on it at the moment. I’m trying to find out what grit stages works best?

Will

wammers · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
240 is still quite sharp. You can use Wet & Dry down to 1200 if you really want to mess about...

1200 is for polishing not for paint prep.

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

wammers said:
You don't use sand paper on bodywork unless it's wood of course.

Hi,

I use sanding discs on my orbital sander, and am using 80 grit at the moment!

Will

JohnM70 · Feb 21, 2018

I'd go 120

It depends, as has been mentioned, on how you intend to paint the thing...

jamesmartin · Feb 21, 2018

LandyBoy007 said:
Hi John,

I have an orbital sander with 80 grit on it at the moment. I’m trying to find out what grit stages works best?

Will

80 is very coarse but after a 200 then a 400 if your spraying

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

jamesmartin said:
80 is very coarse but after a 200 then a 400 if your spraying

Hi Jamesmartin,

Thanks for the advice,

I will be painting, but what about getting flaky but of paint off and getting rougher edges smooth? That’s why I’m using 80grit?

Will

JohnM70 · Feb 21, 2018

80, 120, 200 then 400 will do fine

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
I'd go 120

It depends, as has been mentioned, on how you intend to paint the thing...

Yea I’m spraying and looking for a smooth finish. I only use 80grit to get rough edges smooth and flaky bits of paint off?

Will

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
80, 120, 200 then 400 will do fine

Lovely!
Thanks for that!
How do you know when to go on to the next grit?

Will

jamesmartin · Feb 21, 2018

LandyBoy007 said:
Hi Jamesmartin,

Thanks for the advice,

I will be painting, but what about getting flaky but of paint off and getting rougher edges smooth? That’s why I’m using 80grit?

Will

120 on a DA

JohnM70 · Feb 21, 2018

LandyBoy007 said:
Yea I’m spraying and looking for a smooth finish. I only use 80grit to get rough edges smooth and flaky bits of paint off?

Will

Yeah, that'll do it... if you drop too quick, you'll be there ages rubbing out. It's much better to go down in stages.

You will just 'know' when... if you're going to attack it with 2-pack, get the skim as flat as you can or it's like trying to rub out Mt. Washington with a pencil rubber...

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
Yeah, that'll do it... if you drop too quick, you'll be there ages rubbing out. It's much better to go down in stages.

You will just 'know' when... if you're going to attack it with 2-pack, get the skim as flat as you can or it's like trying to rub out Mt. Washington with a pencil rubber...

Haha ok thanks for the advice!!

Will

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

jamesmartin said:
120 on a DA

Ok thank you!
Will

JohnM70 · Feb 21, 2018

LandyBoy007 said:
Haha ok thanks for the advice!!

Will

No worries - 2-pack is great stuff but a sod to sand back... forget the silly little plastic thing they give you to smear the stuff on with...

LandyBoy007 · Feb 21, 2018

JohnM70 said:
No worries - 2-pack is great stuff but a sod to sand back... forget the silly little plastic thing they give you to smear the stuff on with...

Wait so when you say 2-pack what is that? I’m only 15 and trying to learn these different options for later!!

Will

What sand paper grit shall I use??

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