I want to start Wet sanding, which Should I buy? Help?

[sasson]

Hello, After months of cleaning, and restoring paint with a polisher Machine... ( That is great ).
I see I have to go to the next level and start wet Sand cars...

I see this is a Very powerful toll that could help very very much.

Now, because I am just starting with wet Sanding, I am asking you guys what should I buy...

I understand that there are many different kind of sanding paper, Same as Compound, Polish and Finishing polish...

What sanding papers should I buy? what level and how many different kinds ? ( lets say 1500, 2500 and 3000 papers ).

I see chemical guys has a "Water Sanding system", it's a block that has sanding papers stickers that attaches to the block.

Any thoughts? and where should I buy them ?

Thanks guys, I would love hearing your answers, any additional information would be highly appreciated ! :xyxthumbs:

[vegas911gts]

Buy megs sandpaper and buy them all. You never know which one you will need.

[Andr3wilson]

I have the block system. The sand paper on it is terrible. Very uneven and wears fast. The megs ones are great, also the 3M trizac pads are really good too. Like vegas said, I would get all of them. You never know which one you will need.

If you only want one type, a 2000 grit seems to be pretty universal. Not too aggressive that its hard to sand out the marks, but aggressive enough to deal with pretty much everything.

Sent from my SGH-I317M using AG Online

[cardaddy]

First tool I'd get were I to start wet sanding would be a paint gauge. ;)

[RedXray]

20 years or so I was at my paint supplier having some base mixed. The cute girl behind the counter that always waits/flirts with me asks "Red would you like a wet dream" somewhat surprised I said "Leslie you've been reading my mind haven't you" smiling she whips this package out!

It has small perforated holes, suction cups and a valve to adjust the water flow. A constant flow or just a trickle of clean fresh water and you never get your feet wet or have to bend over reaching a water bucket. I've probably wet sanded fifty or sixty cars and hundreds of panels with this gizmo. Their hard to find but if some hot chick asks if you'd like a wet dream... yes!

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/RedXray/wsd3.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/RedXray/wds1.jpg

[RedXray]

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc195/RedXray/wds.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

First tool I'd get were I to start wet sanding would be a paint gauge. ;)




Good advice.


Also, read this article...

Wetsanding - Fresh Paint vs Factory Paint (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/21471-wetsanding-fresh-paint-vs-factory-paint.html)


Be very cautious about wetsanding factory paint jobs. Keep in mind that when you start any sanding project, all these steps are going to remove a measurable amount of paint...



Sanding
Compounding
Polishing


Everything goes along pretty smooth and then in one second, when you see you've buffed through the clear and exposed the basecoat, or buffed through the single stage paint and exposed primer and you'll get this sinking feeling in your heart that only those that have been through this know what I'm talking about. (Including me).



:)

[Mike Phillips]

It has small perforated holes, suction cups and a valve to adjust the water flow. A constant flow or just a trickle of clean fresh water and you never get your feet wet or have to bend over reaching a water bucket.




I've never seen this tool before but my buddy Johnny Zurba is the inventor and owner of WetWedge that uses the same type of idea.


Good for block sanding and really does save your back plus makes your paper last longer and reduces tracers when sanding by hand.



:)

[sasson]

Thanks Guys, and Thank you Mike...
To be honest, I am lucky enough and Already bought myself a Paint Gauge.

I will buy Megs sanding papers.

Any short information on how to use sand papers?
I saw videos and stuff... but any good information ?

You sand the place and then polish it ?

thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks Guys, and Thank you Mike...
To be honest, I am lucky enough and Already bought myself a Paint Gauge.

I will buy Megs sanding papers.

Any short information on how to use sand papers?
I saw videos and stuff... but any good information ?

You sand the place and then polish it ?

thanks!


Read through these...

Basic Hand Sanding Techniques (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/21974-basic-hand-sanding-techniques.html)

The Rule of Thumb (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/25042-rule-thumb.html)

Fight or Flight Method for Gaging Surface Temperature (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/22325-fight-flight-method-gaging-surface-temperature.html)


Two Schools of Thought when Hand Sanding - Straight-lines or Crosshatch Pattern (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/22235-two-schools-thought-sanding-straightlines-crosshatch-pattern.html)


Watch this, it's part interview and part how-to instructions on wetsanding by hand and machine and using a rotary buffer.




Helping in the Heartland - Part 1 The Transformation

Helping in the Heartland - Part 1 The...


Then watch these...

1969 AMX Wetsanding Videos - Nebraska Help in the Heartland Project (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/58319-1969-amx-wetsanding-videos-nebraska-help-heartland-project.html)



1969 AMX - Wetsanded, Cut and Polished by Team Autogeek
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1656/1969_AMX_Project_017.jpg



Here are all the videos shot from when Yancy and I were in Lincoln, Nebraska for the 1969 AMX Wetsanding, cutting and buffing project called, "Helping in the Heartland".

Gets some popcorn and a cold drink as these are a lot of fun to watch as well as educational...



1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 1 - 30 Minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 1 - YouTube

Part 1: Summary
Wes introduces the story behind the AMC AMX and then shares the story behind the LS1 engine going into it. Then I introduce Ben VanEperen, the painter who we refer to as Ben #1. Ben shares the process he used to paint the AMX. Next I introduce Ben #2 aka Wors on our forum. Then I introduce Paul aka Sailfish on our forum, Paul is a professional marine craft detailer. Next I introduce Bob Eichelberg, the President of Flex Tools North America.

After the introduction we do a "Test Spot" on the hood to dial-in and prove our sanding and buffing process to make sure it works and we're not going to run into any problems. This includes,

Hand sanding with #1000 3M Wet/Dry sandpaper - D.O.I. is explained after sanding with #1000
Hand sanding with #1500 3M Wet/Dry sandpaper
Machine sanding with 3M Trizact #3000 - This is called dampsanding.
Machine sanding with 3M Trizact #5000
Machine compound with Menzerna FG 400 with a Lake Country Wool Cutting Pad on a Flex PE14 Rotary Buffer
Machine polishing with the Flex 3401 with a Lake Country Hybrid Polishing Pad and Menzerna SI 1500
Machine polishing with the Flex 3401 with a Lake Country Hybrid Finishing Pad with Menzerna SF 4000


After all of the above steps the crew inspects the results.





1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 2 - 15 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 2 - YouTube


1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 3 - 11 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 3 - YouTube


1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 4 - 11 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 4 - YouTube


1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 5 - 10 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 5 - YouTube


1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 6 - 11 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - Episode 6 - YouTube


1969 AMX - Wetsanding How To Video - Part 7 - 9 minutes

Helping in the Heartland - episode 7 - YouTube


Nice work as is the norm for Yancy our videographer...



:dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

Also watch this, lots of tips and how-to instructions all the way from sanding to finishing out...

1965 Mustang GT Fastback - Wetsanding - Live Broadcast (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/58597-1965-mustang-gt-fastback-wetsanding-live-broadcast.html)


Here's both Live Feed Videos...
There are tons of tips and techniques on how to machine wetsand, use a rotary buffer, use a Flex 3401 and apply Gtechniq C1 Crystal Lacquer throughout these two videos.





Part 1 - How to Wetsand, Cut and Buff a 1965...




Part 2 - How to Wetsand, Cut and Buff a 1965...







:)

[sasson]

Thanks mike! Your a life saver.. !
Hope to meet you one day.

[sasson]

I just wanted to add, I know polishing and Compounding removes a Very little of the clear coat... ( lets say... about 2-4 Microns )...
How much would sanding remove? does it remove A LOT of clear coat?