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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Mike Griffin on October 25, 2014, 07:59:42 AM

Title: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on October 25, 2014, 07:59:42 AM
What grit sandpaper do most of you use to sand your color basecoat?

Thanks
Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Avaiojet on October 25, 2014, 08:52:26 AM
Mike,

What is your reason for sanding the base coat?

Shiny? Orange peel? Tape edge? Make sure the clear coat sticks?

What kind of paint?
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Crist Rigotti on October 25, 2014, 09:02:33 AM
What grit sandpaper do most of you use to sand your color basecoat?

Thanks
Mike

I wet sand with 600 or 800 grit.
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on October 25, 2014, 09:12:20 AM
Thank you Crist.

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on October 25, 2014, 09:16:23 AM
Mike,

What is your reason for sanding the base coat?

Shiny? Orange peel? Tape edge? Make sure the clear coat sticks?

What kind of paint?k

Hi Charles,

In this case I had painted my Ted Fancher IMITATION white and the finish felt gritty when you rub your hand over it.  Probably dust when paint was still wet.  I am going to wet sand it to smooth the finish without removing the paint and then add my trim colors and then clear coat it.  That is my reason for doing it.

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Randy Powell on October 25, 2014, 06:01:16 PM
I used 0000 steel wool, myself.
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 25, 2014, 09:43:50 PM
I used 0000 steel wool, myself.
NON oiled steel wool please,, there is a variety which is lightly oiled to prevent rusting,, dare I mention thats NOT the one you want?

in paint discussions, I would be more apt to throw my response in the mix if complete info were given,, what kind of paint,, reducer, painted at what temperature,, so on,,

if it feels gritty,, but you cannot see black dirt spots,, it is not likely airborne,, its most likely already on the surface before you paint,, OR in your gun~paint prior to application,, were it me I would be suspicios of contamination in the gun or paint/reducer,, I would likely sand aggresivly then reshoot one coat of the white,, white will hide pigments until you reflow it with clear,, then presto they appear,, and considering there is no real pure white, there are already tint colors in the white,, sanding can make those show up,,

Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Randy Powell on October 26, 2014, 05:02:19 PM
Yes, non-oiled. It's marked on the package of steel wool.
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on October 28, 2014, 02:36:56 PM
If anyone says they don't sand basecoat (or probably any other coat), their finished work will show that.

I sand between EVERY coat (except for the first couple coats of clear, brushed on).  It shouldn't take very long.  Starting with 320 used dry, and after more coats, switch to 600 or 2000 used with water.

Floyd
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 28, 2014, 07:01:35 PM
Floyd,,
apples and oranges,,
basecoat to me is the first color coats,, I seldom sand mine,, very seldom,,
and I think most would agree that it doesnt show in my finished product,,

if we are talking about something different regarding basecoat,, that merely illustrates the importance of complete information,,
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on October 31, 2014, 09:03:47 PM
Mark you cannot see any thing on the white basecoat but when you rub your hand over it it feels rough and gritty.  I have no choice , I have to paint outside.  All I want to do is sand it smooth and re spray with another coat of white.  When you say sand aggressively , what grit are you talking about and should it be wet or dry?  I do not want to sand through the silk span on the wing. 

Thank you

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Crist Rigotti on October 31, 2014, 10:13:50 PM
I do exactly what Floyd does!
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on October 31, 2014, 10:15:56 PM
first,, what paint are you using,, is it all dope?

if so,, I would sand with 600 or 500,, sand until all the texture is gone,,
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on November 01, 2014, 10:32:01 AM
Mark this was done with Rustoleum white enamel.  I do not own spray equipment.

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on November 01, 2014, 02:15:38 PM
Mike,
I do not have a lot of experience with Rustoleum,, I do know from reading about people who use it,, it takes a while to "set",, so you may have to wait awhile to be able to effectivly sand it,, and most people warm the can and shake the living crap out of it ,, like for a LONG time,, this actually sounds like it was probably not thouroughly shaken to disperse the pigments before spraying,, I dont know that its dirt,,

that said,, same applies,, wet sand with 500 or 600 grit to eliminate the texture,, water with a few drops of dishwashing detergent,,
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on November 01, 2014, 02:46:53 PM
Thank you Mark, that Is exactly what I will do.  I think you are right.  I usually heat it and shake it good but I know I did not heat it in this case. 

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: RC Storick on November 01, 2014, 03:21:53 PM
If it were me I would scuff with Gray Scotchbrite.. Opinions may vary
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on November 01, 2014, 05:41:42 PM
Robert,,
using scotchbrite will enhance adhesion,, but in my experience it will not level the surface,, you need something with less "give",,
your mileage may vary,, also,, grey scotchbrite is the equifilant of somewhere around a 320 grit scratch as I recall,,
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mike Griffin on November 01, 2014, 06:40:47 PM
Mark did it just like you suggested and it worked great.  Smooth and slick finish now.

Thank you

Mike
Title: Re: Wet sanding a basecoat
Post by: Mark Scarborough on November 02, 2014, 08:44:55 AM
Mark did it just like you suggested and it worked great.  Smooth and slick finish now.

Thank you

Mike
great,, glad it worked out for you Mike,,