Prep for Paint, need sandpaper advice

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Active Member
Aug 16, 2004
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So I plan to paint my car with some single stage enamel paint (need a 10-15' paint job only)... so what grits do I need for before priming and after priming (wet sand)? I plan to use a DA for MOST of it... well what I can at least...

Also what (if any) sandpapers do I want to avoid (aluminum oxide for example)...

Thanks Gents and Gals...
 
Its been some time since I did mine but I the lowest grit I used was like 380 to start...

the nastier the grit the more the sanding marks you have to take out...and believe me they'll show. I would stop by a local shop and ask their input. Alot depends on the shape of your paint and the clearcoat.

Use hi-build primer to hide the sanding marks from repair areas... hi-build covers and fills alot of sins and sands out easy....use guide coats to get and keep things flat when sanding...

touch bases with someone before you start is my best advice, especially if your learning...you can make a mess real quick....:D
 
Sooo...


800-2k before priming...
180-220 before priming, 2k is usually referred to high build primer, sorry about that. 800-2000 wouldn't provide nearly enough tooth for the primer. So in a nutshell, scuff your car with 180-220 enough to reach the base coat or prime but avoid going down to bare metal as then you would need to epoxy or etch prime it because most 2k(high build primers) aren't recommended for bare metal. Spray your primer and block with 400-600, the later for metallics as metallics will show sand marks easier, and repeat if necessary. As said above use a guide coat and sand it to show any low-high areas. 1500-2000 your final coat, hit it with the high speed buffer(wool pad) using a quality medium cut compound such as 3M's Finesse-it II, high speed it again with a glaze and foam pad, wax it and your done. Check out some websites such as autobody101.com and autobodystore.com as they are very helpful with members who are willing to share their knowledge. Cya