Paint rubout

[John Kuhnast]

What grade sandpaper should I use between coats of paint?

[ford3]

i use 2000 or 2500 grit depending on the amount of orange peel mostly 2500 grit

[John Kuhnast]

Thank you ford3

[J Franklin]

Between coats, if necessary, I block with 800 grit. Use the 2000 for final work. With lacquer I use 800 before final coats and then buff to a shine.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by John Kuhnast

What grade sandpaper should I use between coats of paint?

I guess the question back should be what type of paint, ...and why does it need sanding between coats??

.

[Great Lakes Greg]

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I used 2000, but am sorry I didn't go finer before I final polished.

[28ACoupe]

To back up what Brent said - Why are you wanting to sand between coats?

[PetesPonies]

I'm curious too . . . . unless he is doing a lacquer job correctly. In that case, after three coats of lacquer, let it sit a few days to a week. Sand with some 600-800 and spray three more coats. Do this several times ( 3 or more ) to get the final paint build you want, but not trapping thinner.

[28ACoupe]

PetesPonies - There is no need to let Lacquer sit for that long before sanding. I generally let it sit for no longer than a few hours at most and always come away with a glass finish.

The thinners in a Lacquer paint job can take a good while to fully dissipate so unless you have an oven, you want to let the paint "cure" for about a month before waxing though. Same goes for Enamel though.

[PetesPonies]

Hey I have been painting a long, long time. There are many ways paint can be done. But if you want the best lacquer job you can apply, spraying it over time ( in steps ) is the best way to do it. Sure, I have sprayed lacquer all in one day. Many times I've done this over the years. But the best way to do it is the way I explained. I don't have the need to spray much lacquer today, but that is the best way to do it if you do.

[Purdy Swoft]

With Acrylic lacquer , I do similiar to what pete says . Three to four coats of paint using the very slowest thinner. I let it cure for two weeks and color sand with 600-800 grit sand paper wet, being careful not to cut through any sharp edge spots. I follow up with three or four more coats of paint thinned at about 150% with the slowest thinner. I wet it down good with no dry spots. I allow an additional two weeks before any rubbing. Usually the lacquer will have a pretty good reflection before any rubbing. I only need to do a light hand rub with hand type compound followed by 3M hand glaze. The end result is a clear reflection ,similiar to looking in a mirror. I don't like to machine compound, it makes too big of a mess and then there is the swirl marks to have to deal with. Works for me. I worked for years at GM dealership, body shops, using lacquer, before going into business for my self. The only difference was that we couldn't allow the long curing time between color sanding and recoat that I do in my home shop.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

It's sorta' like, whatever works for you, STICK with it! A friend ran out with his $87.77 super, ultra, DEEEluxe wax, & shined a spot on my black fender! Afterwards, we COULDN'T even find his "SPOT" LOL LOL! Bill W.

[28ACoupe]

Don't use the slowest thinner on Lacquer. Use the right thinner for the job. Too many wannabe chemists out there screwing up paint jobs by not following the directions on the can.

[modeleh]

Originally Posted by 28ACoupe

Too many wannabe chemists out there screwing up paint jobs by not following the directions on the can.

I've met a few of these wannabees over the years that have put out some great paint jobs that have stood the test of time. When it comes to paint and bodywork there are some tips and pointers that aren't printed on the can.

[28ACoupe]

Yes, it does happen. But a very small percentage of those actually wind up in the "great paint job" realm.

I have cheated in the past with paints and pulled it off. But, it is never, ever my first option. To simply default to the slowest thinner as a course of habit is not good or responsible if you are painting customer cars.

[tbirdtbird]

well you can stop at 2000 if u want for light colors, but you must go to 3000 for dark colors. But frankly in our shop we bring everything out to 3000.

If u are shooting urethane u def. do NOT want to sand between coats. Lay 3 good coats on there with appropriate flash times (avg 15-20 min coat one, add 5 min. each coat thereafter); let cure for a week to let it cross-link and get the solvents out of there, then color sand and buff. You will sand off one coat. Each coat is about 1 mil.