Sanding, Fresh Paint, Factory Paint ? =/ help please.

[sasson]

I see those many threads saying that sanding is only common on "Fresh Paint".

And people usually don't sand "Factory Paint".

I am really sorry but I am not an expert... doesn't every new car get "Factory Painted" ?

Lets say that my friend bought a car recently and someone made a small scratch, can't I sand hes car ?
I have a paint gauge if that's the problem...

Another question I wanted to ask, is can I hand sand a car without a Polisher ( without a sanding disk ) ?
I have a Flex 3401, And I don't really want to buy another machine right now =/...

I bought all megs sanding papers ( and that black sponge ), 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000....
Could I just use them all by hand ? and get awesome results ?

And another Pretty important question... How much paint does sanding remove compared to a Compound and Finishing polish ? ( I know that compound + finshing is about 4 Microns removed ? ) Any Estimate ?

Everyday..... learning something new... Love this..

[Evan.J]

When people refer to fresh paint, most of the time they are talking about a body shop repaint or a custom paint job. With a factory paint job usually these clear coats are too thin and you can run the risk of burning throgh or sanding through the paint (clear coat).
Its hard to judge the amount of paint thats removed by wet sanding unless you have a PTG handy.

Here is a write up by mike that you will want to read through:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...mpsanding.html

[sasson]

When people refer to fresh paint, most of the time they are talking about a body shop repaint or a custom paint job. With a factory paint job usually these clear coats are too thin and you can run the risk of burning throgh or sanding through the paint (clear coat).
Its hard to judge the amount of paint thats removed by wet sanding unless you have a PTG handy.

Here is a write up by mike that you will want to read through:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...mpsanding.html

Thank you, Great info =)

[Evan.J]

here is another one as well
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ory-paint.html

[Mike Phillips]

here is another one as well
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ory-paint.html

This article is the one I wrote to do my best to clear up all the confusion around the topic of wetsanding.

It fully explains the difference between a new car and a new paint job. These are usually VERY different types of paints to work on.

Has a lot to do with "planning" and I cover that in the article.

[sasson]

When people refer to fresh paint, most of the time they are talking about a body shop repaint or a custom paint job. With a factory paint job usually these clear coats are too thin and you can run the risk of burning throgh or sanding through the paint (clear coat).
Its hard to judge the amount of paint thats removed by wet sanding unless you have a PTG handy.

Here is a write up by mike that you will want to read through:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...mpsanding.html

So would you say that you should never Sand a car that has Factory paint? even if you have a paint gauge and see that the paint has enough clear coat ?

[Evan.J]

So would you say that you should never Sand a car that has Factory paint? even if you have a paint gauge and see that the paint has enough clear coat ?

Well I would think that if Mike says there is too much risk involved woth sanding a factory clear then I wouldn't. A PTG is only going to give you an idea of what your working with from the panel through the clear coat. SO its not really telling you the thickness of the clear but of all the coats (primer, base, color, and clear). If you sand through the clear then you wil have to get the area repainted and that will make for some expensive fixes.

[sasson]

Well I would think that if Mike says there is too much risk involved woth sanding a factory clear then I wouldn't. A PTG is only going to give you an idea of what your working with from the panel through the clear coat. SO its not really telling you the thickness of the clear but of all the coats (primer, base, color, and clear). If you sand through the clear then you wil have to get the area repainted and that will make for some expensive fixes.

Dang it, I hope there is enough cars with fresh paint lol...
I don't really think there are much here in my country...