Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Quick question on this.... I had a chip on a corner of my fender which I dry sanded with 2000 grit to smooth the edges of the clear. I touched it up with paint (dark shadow gray metallic) and clear mixed 50/50. I let it dry and then wet sanded (to feather out the touchup) and buffed. However, you can see a dark spot where it almost looks like I sanded through the clear, but it's shiny like there is still clear.
My question is, how easy is it to go all the way through the clear with 2000 grit? And is it possible that, while wetsanding, the paint/clear mix blended with the OEM finish and makes it appear darker? As I look at it on camera, it actually looks like I may still have a hard edge that needs sanded/buffed a bit more. The paint is also kinda hazy on the tops of the fenders and hood as this was a Texas car. What say you, Autogeek!??!
http://i.imgur.com/R6YkfsS.jpg
Thanks!
Dan
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Add more touch-up paint before you do any more sanding. Looks like you created a little bit of a valley when you sanded out the chip. Touch-up paint shrinks into the lower areas as it dries, so you need to add more to continue to fill the chip/sanding. After a few layers, try wet sanding with 3000 grit to level with the original paint. If it still looks low, then add another layer or 2. Once you get it level and wet sanded where you want it, then polish. Try to focus the sanding on the touch-up area so you don't go through the clear on the OEM paint (other than feathering the edge into the OEM).
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
OK yea that's kinda what I was thinking that I needed to add a little more clear and then re-feather it. If you look close you can see the original chip kinda in the middle and another layer of clear on it that has not yet been sanded. I think I will smooth that out and then go a light layer over the "darker" area and then feather it out into the fende.r
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
It's easy to sand through the clear using #2000. Especially around an edge.
To test if you've sanded through the clear layer, rub some white colored polish on a white cloth to the area in question, if you sanded through the clear the color of the color or base coat will show up on the cloth.
:)
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Pretty crazy, I only did maybe 5-6 passes with light pressure.
I noticed paint coming off when I buffed with a towel, but I figured that was because I touched up with paint/clear mixed. I will check it out later tonight. If this is the case, can I apply a thin layer of clear directly and feather it out?
Edit:
To be more clear, you can only really see it at this angle and looking directly down the paint still seems unaffected as the flake looks the same.
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek
It's easy to sand through the clear using #2000. Especially around an edge.
To test if you've sanded through the clear layer, rub some white colored polish on a white cloth to the area in question, if you sanded through the clear the color of the color or base coat will show up on the cloth.
:)
Agreed. Especially the part about the edge. ;)
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Sanding edges can be a deal killer. Bet you won't do that again. Sorry for your loss
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaskyR1
Especially the part about the edge. ;)
:iagree:
Re: Sanding through clear with 2000 grit?
try wet with lube next time