Sanding Question

[sdberman]

In between each coat of nitrocellulose color, I understand that I should wet sand the entire body with 400, 600 and then 800. Should I repeat this on the last color coat as well?

Do I then shoot the body with several coats of clear nitrocellulose laquer, sanding in between each coat with 400, 600 and then 800?

Once I've applied the last coat of the clear laquer, is that when I move to the finer grade sand papers, eventually polishing the clear to its glassy finish?

I've check ReRanch 101, but it's a bit unclear as to whether color laquer and clear laquer are sanded differently.

Thanks!

 

[Rocky McD]

There is no reason to sand that often unless you are getting alot of trash or runs in the finish. I lightly sand after three color coats with 600 or 800, and then put on three more color coats. Sanding after the last color coat is only necessary to remove some problems, not to level the finish. Many refinishers don't sand at all untl after the last coat of clear.
Rocky

 

[mikeyswood]

I will answer this one since the others are duplicates and this could be of benefit to future users.

The purpose of the finer progressive sanding is to create a smoother surface. The lacquer is dissolving into previous "layers" and becoming one smooth coat. Once you have a completely smooth finish you can move onto buffing. Some of us can achieve that after 600 grit and others, myself included, go to 1000 before we achieve a smooth surface.

The clear coats are the buff-able layers that keep the color vivid. The same rules apply for them; once you are smooth you can polish.

Should the sealer fail at any point you can spray primer and begin the process over again with color.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Along with Mikey's post........Also keep in mind, if you go well above 1000, like say up to 8000 - 12000 micromesh, you'll actually do less buffing and can actually go to a finer compound. Less time buffing.