DA Sander Recommendations

[jpitt1987]

Hey guys,

I am needing some input/help right now.

Recently, I have been taking on more ambitious projects and I am realizing I need to step it up in terms of the tools that I have.

I am looking to do more painting and wet sanding and was wondering what kind of sander would be a good investment? I have seen DA and rotary, and various brands for both. What I am needing is something that I can use to get down to the metal on some projects, while at the same time allowing me to wet sand the same projects once I am done.

I hope this makes some sense?

Oh, and another thing. I am looking more at air tools, seeing that I have an unused/brand new Husky 30g air comp.

Thanks!

-Jon

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

DA won't do it. You need a rotary. Not from personal experience but just reading the forums here for the last several months, the most popular brands seem to be the Makita 9227c, the DeWalt DW849, and the Flex 3403. Meguiars garage in Irvine uses the DeWalt if that helps you in your decision, but all 3 rotaries mentioned are in the $200-$300 range (new).

See also this link: Machine Photos - DA Polishers - Rotary Buffers - Traditional Orbital Buffers

[jpitt1987]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

Thanks Clearly for the info, but I am not really looking into getting a buffer. I recently bought a used Makita and it runs like a champ!

What I am really interested in is a sander to help strip paint off of my projects as well as do wet sanding.

[Paul S]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

For heavy body work and paint removal you might consider the large assortment of Dyna-brade and Mirka orbital sanders as offered used on sites like e-bay. Paint correction is an all together different animal.Wet sanding minor paint defects can mostly be done with rubber pad and the correct grade wet-dry paper such as offered by MEGUIARS.Air sanding equipment is the favorite of production type body shops while detailers favor the electric orbital and rotary machines.A new (at least to me)process is using a surbuf style of pad to remove wet-sand marks with an orbital which was always in the past left to a rotary. This pad will let you take 1500-2500 sand marks out of most single stage and clear/coat applications.Hope this helps pointing you in the right direction.

Paul

[jpitt1987]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

Hotrod66paul,

Thanks for the recommendations! Prior to posting this I did some research of my own via Google and throughout these boards and found that most people highly recommend the Dyna-brade or the Mirka.

I'm going to look at ebay and craigslist and see if I can find one. That's how I got my Makita rotary, and like I said, it runs great! My brother's friend used a few weeks back to buff out a newly painted 95 Nissan Skyline.

Thanks once again!

[pb_foots]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

I have a dynabrade 3220-FG 3/32 orbit. Not sure how it'll do to get down to metal, but the Dynabrade with the Mirka Abralon pads did an outstanding job of wetsanding after paint. I have 1500 3M pads with a foam backing pad, and 2000 and 4000 Mirka.

got everything from autobodytoolmart.com

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

Thanks Clearly for the info, but I am not really looking into getting a buffer. I recently bought a used Makita and it runs like a champ!

What I am really interested in is a sander to help strip paint off of my projects as well as do wet sanding.

Whoops! Try this: Where to buy Mirka Bulldog sander?

[jpitt1987]

Re: DA Sander Recommendations

I do have a quick question:

The makita I have is a sander/polisher, couldn't I just use that? Sorry if this is such a noobish question.