Wet Sanding and Polishing Problem Solved

[matt63]

I made this post last summer after struggling with getting a scratch free finish.  I finally figured out where I was going wrong after trying 3 different cutting compounds.  I wasn't running the rotary polisher fast enough.   It has 5 speeds and I was running it on 2.   :screwy:I turned it up to 3 and voila!  I was always worried about burning the paint.  Although none of the polishing instructions (3M, Meguiars, and others) say it, some heat seems to be required especially to get the deeper 1500 sanding scratches.   I just saved myself at least $500 and as much as $2500 as I was about to give up and go to a detailing or body shop.

I'm taking another shot at wet sanding.  I tried it on my black Demon but could never get it wet sanded without leaving scratches that couldn't be polished out so I sent the car to a pro.  This guy has gone out of business so I thought I would try it again.  This is a new 6 year old paint job.  Once again I find that the 1500 grit wet sand paper leaves scratches.  I use a foam pad and sand in only one direction and rinse the paper in water regularly.  The polisher brings the shine back quick but there are too many sanding scratches which take along time to compound out.  What's the trick?

[whitesatinmopar]

  I know someone that wet sands with 3000 grit to finish.....................BEAUTIFUL fits the result.

[vinb]

Matt , as you sand keep the paper wet as possible and use a good spray bottle with lots of water as you sand. wet-wet-wet that will keep the dirt off the paper and patients. Then I went to 2000 paper the same way. I use 3M products #05933 Perfect-it III rubbing compound & #05996 foam polishing pad glaze. Use two different foam pads one for each..Just take your time and it will look great....

[matt63]

Matt , as you sand keep the paper wet as possible and use a good spray bottle with lots of water as you sand. wet-wet-wet that will keep the dirt off the paper and patients. Then I went to 2000 paper the same way. I use 3M products #05933 Perfect-it III rubbing compound & #05996 foam polishing pad glaze. Use two different foam pads one for each..Just take your time and it will look great....

Yes, I did all this including using the same products - just wasn't running the polisher fast enough.

[rchurch]

1500 is too rough for a final sand. 2000 or greater should be used for final wet sanding.

but do this.

3m white compound & a wool pad
3m green & a foam pad
should only be swirl marks at that point
2 coats of wax should get rid of ANY swirls

[matt63]

I certainly agree with using the 2000 grit after the 1500.  I've heard that the wool pads are more aggressive than the hard foam pads so I stayed away from them.  They are also harder to keep away from the edges.  Swirl doesn't seem to be as big an issue with the foam pads.

[PlumCrazy]

Wet sanding by hand is too labor intensive and inconsistent.  Power sanding is the way to go.

[71340RT]

I never final sand with anything but 2000 grit paper with lots of water.

[Pistol Gripper]

I saw the same car WSM did, I didn't think 3000 would do anything, boy was I wrong !  That paint shines !!!

P.G.

[matt63]

There are new power sanding products now but I've already done the hard stuff.  I saw a guy use a mini sander that took 1.5" diameter 1500 paper.  It took orange peel down quick but left ugly orbital marks that had to be taken out after.

[PlumCrazy]

There are new power sanding products now but I've already done the hard stuff.  I saw a guy use a mini sander that took 1.5" diameter 1500 paper.  It took orange peel down quick but left ugly orbital marks that had to be taken out after.

A mini sander is not the proper tool, a DA at 1200, 2500 and 4000 is the only way to do it correctly, the last picture I posted was 4000 BEFORE compounding and polishing.  The hard part is not the 1500 it is the 2500 and 4000, with a DA it is a breeze, you can do an entire car in less than two hours.

[matt63]

If I was going to do another car I would definitely investigate this system.  I estimate it could easily take a couple of days to wet sand a car by hand.

[buzzard]

  Next time you'r sanding use a bucket of aqua and put 1oz soap to 1gln aqua. Been there done that. Budy at bod shop gave me **** for not using soap. Scratches are from contamination of the paper. The wetting agent in Sunlight washes off with no residue.

[whitesatinmopar]

I saw the same car WSM did, I didn't think 3000 would do anything, boy was I wrong !  That paint shines !!!

P.G.

Yep. and he used a soap solution too ! Never see anything like it before.