wet-sanding questions

[zaink]

just a few questions, on my moms car she has a few blobs of who knows what.. all ik now is it wont come off so i decided i wanted to try and wetsand it, the thing i wanted to know first is should i just sand the spots? (which is a bunch all over hood) or should i just do the whole hood?

also the spots are pretty hard, you think 2500 would be enough to take it down? then maybe 4000 after that .. im going to use a DACP (with SSR 2.5/1) to remove the sanding marks after im all done so i dont want to use something to strong where i would need a rotary to remove

here is a pic just so you guys can see

[Mike Phillips]

Meguiar's doesn't recommend using a dual action polisher to remove sanding marks so you're on your own as far as using this procedure to do the job.

One thing for sure, before sanding down the entire hood, test a small are first, the term I've always used is, Test Spot. Perform a test spot, test the products and procedures you plan on using over the entire car to one small area.

Make sure you can make one small area look good before attempting to go over the entire car. If you can make one small area look good, you can then cookie-cutter your process over the entire car.

If you cannot make one small area look good, you'll be glad you didn't sand down the entire car.

[RamAirV1]

Unless you are experienced, don't do it! Most wet sanding marks have to be removed with a rotarty. Wet sanding is not for the inexperienced, you can sand right through the clear and color coats.

What have you tried on those spots so far? Have you tried detailing clay? Whatever it is it looks nasty. You'll need Mike or Tim or one of the pro detailers to help you on that one.

RamAirV1

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
Unless you are experienced, don't do it! Most wet sanding marks have to be removed with a rotary. Wet sanding is not for the inexperienced, you can sand right through the clear and color coats.

Good advice. I actually post this advice all the time when these questions come up. The thing is you never now how hard or easy it's going to be until you do a little test spot. I've seen paint as hard as glass and as soft as butter, but you never know until you try and see for yourself.

Also paint thickness is always going to be an issue. If you burn through the paint even in only one area... it's not going to stimulate anyone to do the happy dance.

What have you tried on those spots so far? Have you tried detailing clay? Whatever it is it looks nasty. You'll need Mike or Tim or one of the pro detailers to help you on that one.

RamAirV1

Have you tried using your fingernail or a plastic razor blade to pick whatever that is off the finish?

Joe has a technique I think he's shared, (or maybe it was me?) and that is to tape-around each defect and then sand only on top of the contaminant. Recently my friend Jamie showed me taping around a razor blade and scraping high points of fresh paint, maybe this would work to.

Can the cause and thus the contaminant be traced back to where it originated?

[the other pc]

zaink,

Most fallout is gooey rather than hard and will just load up your sandpaper while you merrily scratch the good paint around it.

I would really, really advise against sanding unless you absolutely know beyond any doubt that the material is both hard and totally bonded to the finish (even auto paint will often come off with clay and/or chemical cleaners).

I’ll third the question, what have you tried so far?


PC.

[zaink]

ive tried clay and fingernail... ive also tried a plastic blade but that didn't even make a mark on the thing, its super hard lol

[Tim Lingor]

Hey zaink

I must agree with RamAirV1 and Mike, wet sanding is definitely not for the inexperienced.

Have you tried a Tar Remover like Gold Class Bug and Tar Remover? Did the vehicle park under any trees? Is it on more of the horizontal surfaces?

Tim

[SpoiledMan]

You could also try some MPPC if you can find any. It's a superb cleaner for times like this. If you have/can get some, apply enough of it to cover the area and allow it to dwell for some time. Work it in with your finger as to not absorb any of it from the surface. It should remove it or at least soften it up enough that it can be removed.

[zaink]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey zaink

I must agree with RamAirV1 and Mike, wet sanding is definitely not for the inexperienced.

Have you tried a Tar Remover like Gold Class Bug and Tar Remover? Did the vehicle park under any trees? Is it on more of the horizontal surfaces?

Tim

i only see it on the hood, but thats the part that is ALWAYS under the tree whenever she goes to church (few times a week).. but i tried alcohol also and that didnt do nothing .. but maybe ill trya nd pick up that bug and tar remover even though i have a feeling it wont be strong enough