Hand or machine...

**Dan C** · 09-15-2011, 11:21 AM

color sanding,whats your prefered method?

Dan

**BobbyG** · 09-15-2011, 11:46 AM

Hi Dan,

Back in the day all wet sanding was done manually with various rubber pads and blocks to distribute the pressure evenly.

I watched Mike's video on damp saning and while it appears to be perfectly logical I've never tried it. Perhaps this is more the norm these days so lets hope someone in the paint trade chimes in..

**azhun_ctech** · 09-18-2011, 08:46 PM

Hey Dan,
I work in a body shop and do a good amount of wet sanding to fix minor issues after the paint job has come on. It really depends on how big of a defect you have and how big the area is that you are working with. Personally, I prefer doing it by hand because I feel like I am able to better control how much I take off.

**Flash Gordon** · 09-18-2011, 09:34 PM

I would rather sand by hand. I get a better feeling for whats actually taking place. With a machine, there is so much noise, and at times the machine gets in the way visually

I am a bit of a noob to this, but for now using a sanding block is my perferred method. I charge by the hour, so time is not an issue for me personally

**4wheelsonline** · 09-19-2011, 08:03 PM

I also prefer to do it by hand because you have all the control. In machine sometimes you can't control you take off....

**Dan C** · 09-23-2011, 12:07 AM

Thanks for the replys guys!

Dan

**PorscheGuy997** · 09-23-2011, 12:37 AM

As with almost everything in detailing, the answer depends on a number of things.

If you want the flattest finish possible, try sanding by hand. There are also times when an interface pad just isn't going to contour to the surface like a hand pad and sheet of paper.

I really like DA sanding. It's not as strenuous as hand sanding and the results are very close. The latest DA disks are getting better and better at leveling the surface. The time it takes to DA sand a car is much less, too.

Both types of sanding will have their drawbacks. DA disks can produce tracers, while hand sanding can produce tracers.

Sanding is one of those skills that can not be acquired over night. With enough experience, one can learn how to minimize the drawbacks, while producing a better finish.