Wetsanding

[Andrew C.]

I had a friend ask me about wetsanding in an email the other day. I personally have never wetsanded, but I said I could get him some advice back in a few days so I figured to ask you guys. This is what he asked:
" Let me ask you a question: I usually use 1500 grit wet paper and 3M "Perfect-It" after painting a car. It gets a pretty shiny surface, but still leaves some swirl marks from the buffer after waxing. Do you have something you recommend for the final pass? "

I assume he is using a rotary when he refers to buffer. Just a guess but I am thinking he should go to a higher grit paper then follow with the 105/205 combo, but I have no clue as to pad choice.

Thanks, Andrew

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wetsanding

Just a guess but I am thinking he should go to a higher grit paper then follow with the 105/205 combo, but I have no clue as to pad choice.

Thanks, Andrew

He only asked about swirls and not tracers or pigtails so should we assume he's getting all the sanding marks out?


Tracers, RIDS & Pigtails and Cobweb Swirls vs Rotary Buffer Swirls


A very good combo is to finish with #2000 but he can finish with #1500 if he likes), then cut with M105 with a wool cutting pad and the follow this with the M205 with a foam polishing or finishing pad.

After the above it should be pretty close to swirl free. If there are any light holograms after the second rotary buffer step then use the M205 again but only switch to applying it with a DA Polisher using a foam polishing pad.