What grade of sandpaper...

[Arthurdaily]

I'm going to use 240 grit wet and dry initialy on my car, then down to about 320 - however I have two questions:

1. What grade would you use between the primer and colour coat?

2. What grade between colour coats?

[bmcecosse]

1) 1000 2) 2000

[bmcecosse]

Double post

[bmcecosse]

1) 1000 2) 2000

BTW - 320 is far too rough - 600 would be much better at that stage.

[Arthurdaily]

Thanks BMC

[Alec]

Hello Arthur,

just to confuse things, I use 400 betwen primer and colour and 800 on colour. I wouldn't use 2000 at all, even for final colour flatting before compounding, 1200 more like.

Any one else with any ideas?

Alec

[Neil MG]

This depends on paint. For 2k I use 400 before primer and 800 between primer and colour and between colour coats (and 1200 before machine polish for final finish). For cellulose I might go more like 600 before primer, 800 before paint, 1200 between coats and possibly 2000 before machine polishing. This is very cautious for both, but better to be on the safe side for diy. I assume you are wet sanding by hand with a block in all cases.

[Arthurdaily]

God, right... it seems here, as with every forum, that it is up to the individual likes and dislikes of the 'sander'!! lol Typical... I wish car answers could be simple. I will be wet sanding yes, with probably a flexible tube as a block

We will see... I think I'll get a load of wet and dry and experiment with different grades at different times in the engine bay where it doesn't matter so much to see what seems to come out best.

ALEC: why wouldn't you use 2000?

Plus, what is 'compounding' ??? By that do you simply mean putting polish on at the end?

[Alec]

Hello Arthur,

it is finer than required and you will find the finer the abrasive the harder it is to use as it 'sticks' to the body, even using soap.

Compunding is using an abrasive paste which will give the final shine. The idea of an abrasive after the final coat is to flatten the minor imperfections which then is brought up to a gloss with compound. T cut is a very fine grade of such a compound but Farecla 3G is probably quicker. You can get an acceptable finish from the gun but the flat and compound is what will give you that 'Rolls Royce' finish.

Alec

[Arthurdaily]

Ah, I see - I have used rubbing compound before, I realise now - Halfords own. I'll remember that name...

One more question Alec: HOW MANY primer and top coats would you give and how many litre of each do you think would be required for the WHOLE car including inside and engine bay...?

[Alec]

Hello Arthur,

Cellulose?, that's what I use as it's forgiving for DIY home painting.

A couple of coats of primer\filler and see how it looks after flatting, usually I find I need to do more, perhaps in localised areas so that the final finish is even all over. About six coats of colour, flatting every other, with the last two coats thinned a bit more.

It's a while since i painted a Minor (Traveller) but probably two litres of primer\surfacer and three to four of colour. With cellulose, use a good quality thinner for the colour.

Alec

[Neil MG]

Those quantities seem a little low for six coats of colour. Certainly, if you are doing engine bay and inside, (underside of bonnet, boot, door shuts, dash etc.etc.) you will need more.

[Arthurdaily]

I was thinking of ten litres - £150 quid, but that should give plenty of touch of paint for years to come anyway!