Rookie Mistake... HELP!

[cheesy1]

So.. I didn't use a guide coat, and now that I've laid down my basecoat (3 coats) I discovered a small section that is rough from not sanding my primer.

What is the best way to correct this? Can I just lay down a whole bunch of clear, let it dry, and then sand it out? Or will I have to lay down a bunch of clear, sand it out, and then redo the base coat again?

Also, any opinions on using 1000, 0r 1500 with a pistol grip sander?

[Len]

So.. I didn't use a guide coat, and now that I've laid down my basecoat (3 coats) I discovered a small section that is rough from not sanding my primer.

What is the best way to correct this? Can I just lay down a whole bunch of clear, let it dry, and then sand it out? Or will I have to lay down a bunch of clear, sand it out, and then redo the base coat again?

Also, any opinions on using 1000, 0r 1500 with a pistol grip sander?


If you're spraying a metallic color you'll be able to see the roughness no matter how much clear you apply because it makes the metallic particles lay differently than a smooth surface. If it's a solid color you can probably get away with just clearing then sanding and polishing.

If it's a metallic you can either sand it back to the primer then recoat the color or you can clear it then smooth it out by color sanding then recoat with color and clear. If you should sand through the clear while making the area smooth you could get a bad reaction when you apply new base color so you should apply more clear first, sand then reapply the base and clear.

Don't use the color sanding film on a pistol grip sander or you'll distroy your paint job, they are NOT the right tool for that job. you need a random orbital sander and it should be a short throw palm sander like the AirVantage.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/av611000s.jpg
Airvantage Sander Link (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AVS61100S&Category_Code=T2)

[cheesy1]

RE: Sander - My problem is that this repair is on a wheel. So it incorporates small tight spaces. My pistol sander is an orbital sander with a 2" head. I might have to just do it by hand.

I have not laid any clear yet, just the basecoat. Think 3 layers of clear would be enough for sanding?

[Len]

RE: Sander - My problem is that this repair is on a wheel. So it incorporates small tight spaces. My pistol sander is an orbital sander with a 2" head. I might have to just do it by hand.

I have not laid any clear yet, just the basecoat. Think 3 layers of clear would be enough for sanding?

If the area is small it will pay you to do it by hand using wet sandpaper. Three coats of clear is usually plenty but if primer and color coats are rough it may take more clear to level them.

Applying color then clear over a rough substrate is not a good idea. If I were doing this job I'd sand it now to eliminate the roughness then apply more color then clear. I've never had much luck cutting corners in the painting process.

[cheesy1]

If I were doing this job I'd sand it now to eliminate the roughness then apply more color then clear. I've never had much luck cutting corners in the painting process.


Very cool. That is what I'll do. I had just heard that I should avoid sanding color at all costs. But I trust your opinion.

[Len]

You don't sand the color coat unless you have a problem then you sand it and apply more color.

[Phil V]

Cheesy1, What brand and type of basecoat did you use ? (will make a difference in how you should proceed).

[cheesy1]

You don't sand the color coat unless you have a problem then you sand it and apply more color.

Ok, cool. Then I'll do that tonight. Since I'll be laying new color afterwards, do I still need to hand wet sand it or can I use my sander?

[cheesy1]

Cheesy1, What brand and type of basecoat did you use ? (will make a difference in how you should proceed).

I use PPG's Deltron DC3000.

[Len]

Ok, cool. Then I'll do that tonight. Since I'll be laying new color afterwards, do I still need to hand wet sand it or can I use my sander?

You want to sand it until the primer or color is flawless then apply more primer if you down to the metal or just color it again if you haven't sanded everything off. Be sure to allow some flash time in between coats of paint.