Wetsanding for Fun and Practice

I

imported_animes2k

New member
Some of you might remember the fender of the black 93 Corrado I did my first wetsanding on... Well, I didn't have a rotary then and MAN I wish I had a wool pad or two now, but I was able to work it out pretty well.



I decided to go ahead and get more familiar with wetsanding on the rear driver's side quarter panel on the Corrado and am even happier with how this came out.



I've also realized that the repaint on this was a metallic black, while the rest of the car is just straight black. Moronic. The quality of the job fits, then...



Process

- wash

- 3M 1500 grit to knock it down... a lot of this

- 3M 2000 grit to smooth it out a bit

- Optimum Polish (I need something stronger!) w/Orange pad - not cutting it

- Optimum Polish w/ Yellow pad @ 1500-1750rpm (Metabo)

- Optimum Polish w/ Yellow pad @ 6 (PC - for tight spaces)

- VM w/ White pad @ 1000rpm

- RMG by hand

- P21S by hand



My yellow pad's (got "Wolfgang" but I ordered LC?) backing has delaminated. Time to give Autogeek a call :P



The Pics

What I was dealing with...

orangepeel.jpg




What I ended up with...

sanded.jpg




fender.jpg




Comparison shot

side.jpg




Sun Flare comparison:

flares.jpg




Lots of chips in the paint (those white spots)...



So there ya go. Once I get a couple of wool pads, I'll do the door...



I'm really feeling good about the whole wetsanding thing, though I'm sure I could use some pointers. This is also a very thick (and BAD) paint job, so I might just hurt some OEM paint :)



Thanks for looking.
 
Wow what a change, a lot less OP after. What kind of sanding block did you use with the wetsand and what was the process?
 
Thanks guys.



dsvwgli I actually didn't use a sanding block, just the paper. I had picked up a dual-density foam block and used it initially on the front fender, but found it easier to work with just the paper and a flat hand. I don't know if this is "wrong" but I found it easier to follow curves, handle edges, etc. As far as process goes, I just went at it :) Checking my work often, with a water blade handy to remove water and check for low spots I hadn't yet sanded out. Once I was happy with the 1500, I moved to the 2000, working in the opposite direction of the 1500 pass.



thomas just pick a car and have fun! :D Or pick up an old panel.



krsjuan Those are two different panels, yes. However, the entire side of the car looked like that when I started. The repaint was evenly BAD down the whole side, now it's just the door that's bad (as I did the front fender a couple of months ago).
 
Looks great! Too bad that's the only metallic black panel, but at least those flakes are a-poppin!



Now you'll have to do the rest of the car! Kind of like cleaning and dressing just one wheel and tire.



If the re-spray is thick enough (the clear coat, actually), you shouldn't have too much to worry about as long as you stop sanding when the paint is leveled (no more shiny spots). I don't know what a dual density foam block is, but I use a rubber sanding block for the flat surfaces and the Meguiar's foam sanding pad for the curves (don't trust my finger pressure) and it worked fine for me.



Great job, in any case! Definitely better than even the factory finish!
 
The whole SIDE of the car is metallic... the flakes are pretty heavy, but a sort of greenish color. Odd, but eh :) I will get around to detailing the whole thing at some point, but it's such a waste, as the car is basically rotting down on the street... My brother needs to do something with it! The engine is strong, but transmission, brakes and some electronics need work, needs a new windshield... The interior is SOO dirty...



This is a dual (double) density sanding block - firm and soft side, depending on application:

1523616_lg.jpg
 
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