Dry is going to be more aggressive, especially with lower grit sandpaper. This allows you to shape your workpiece or significantly grind down uneven surfaces to level them out. Wet sand paper is used in a later stage of the process to bring out a shine on the object or to prep for buffing and polishing.
Do you need to sand before polish?
It is recommended that you sand your metal surfaces to 600 grit or 400 grit (320 grit at the very least) before polishing.
When should wet sanding be used?
Wet sanding helps to prevent surface scratches and is used to provide a smooth, even finish after dry sanding. Wet sanding is a sanding process that uses water or another liquid as lubrication to wash away grit particles.
How do you wet sand a car before polishing it?
To wet sand a car, soak 1200 or 1500 grit sandpaper in a mixture of water and automotive or dish soap for 5 minutes. Next, wrap the soaked sandpaper around a sanding squeegee or pad and sand gently in circular motions, switching directions occasionally to ensure you sand the surface evenly.
Can I use polish after wet sanding?
Wet sanding should always be followed by compounding and polishing because it leaves a hazy surface. The sand paper itself causes scratches, so these need to be removed using a less aggressive technique.
What are the 3 stages of polishing?
3 STAGE DETAIL
- stage – heavy defects removed by coarse abrasive compounds and pads.
- stage – machine polishing with a medium-strong cut compound to eliminate surface defects applied by 1st stage.
- stage – machine polishing, ultra-soft polish/compound this refining process produces a mirror reflection finish.
Do you polish car wet or dry?
Take the pad for your polishing wheel and get it wet using clean water. Wring it out so it remains damp, but not soaking wet. The pad must stay damp through the polishing process to avoid damaging your car’s paint. A dry pad will burn the clear coat on your car.
Is it better to wet sand or dry sand?
What’s the difference between the two? Wet sanding, which is sanding with the addition of water to act as a lubricant, is less abrasive than dry sanding, and results in a smoother finish. It’s best to wet-sand the final finish of a project. Dry sanding removes more material, and smooths rough material quickly.
Does wet sanding remove scratches?
In a new car, wet sanding can help remove the orange peel effect (i.e. pebbled, uneven painted surface- kind of like an orange skin). However, remember that wet sanding cannot get rid of deep scratches. It can only repair scratches on the top layer of your car’s paint and clear coat.
Do you wipe with water after sanding?
Begin by blowing the dust using an air compressor, vacuum the dust, or brush it off using a dust brush. Then, wipe the surface using a cloth dampened in either water or mineral spirits. You can also use a tack cloth to clean your sanded wood before staining.
How do I prepare my car for polishing?
Thoroughly wash the car using a strong ratio of wash solution to help strip any previous waxes and/or sealants. A clean, wax/sealant-free finish is required to get the most out of our polishing session. Clay the surface of the car to remove any embedded contaminants that doesn’t come off with normal washing.
Does wet sanding damage car paint?
The most important thing to know about wet sanding is that it’s a subtractive process. It may sound obvious, but this means that it’s taking away paint. Despite how obvious that may seem, I’ve still seen a lot of people try to wet sand scratches that are deeper than the paint level (to the metal).
How long after clear coat can I wet sand and polish?
Clear coat should be allowed to harden for at least 24 hours before attempting to use a buffer.
How do I get a smooth finish after sanding?
Step by Step
- Wait several hours after sanding a surface before you begin finishing to let the dust settle.
- Remove settled dust from the surface, ideally with a vacuum.
- Strain the finish unless you have just opened the can.
- Be sure your cloth, brush or spray gun is clean.
Do you need to seal after polishing?
The Quick Answer. You should always wax, seal or coat a car as soon as possible after it has been polished. Polishing will remove all paint protection on your car, so waxing afterwards will add a layer of protection to shield your car’s paint from UV damage, dirt, tree sap, acid rain etc.
How do you Wetsand and clear coat polish?
To sand a clear coat, start by soaking some sandpaper in water for 1 hour to soften the edges so they don’t scratch the coat. While that’s soaking, wash and dry your car so the clear coat is fully exposed. Then, wrap a sheet of the wet sandpaper around a sanding block and sand your car in small sections.
Do you apply pressure when polishing?
When attempting to remove light swirls and scratches from your car’s finish, use between 15 and 20 pounds of pressure to the head of the polisher. After polishing at these more aggressive pressures, you can always lighten up and make a few cover-passes at 10 to 15 pounds of pressure.
What is the best speed for polishing?
Utilize this same principle when selecting the right compound or polish. Lower RPMs means less friction, less friction means less heat buildup. Try to stay between 1750-2400 RPM when compounding and between 1200-1750 RPM when finishing.
What is the difference between buffing and polishing?
Polishing generates a brushed or lined finish, where buffing removes the lines and creates a bright luster finish. The process of buffing generally requires surface refinement polishing prior to buffing.
How do I make my car shine like glass?
How to Make Your Car Paint Shine Like New
- Wash your car with car shampoo. Cleaning your car with a car shampoo is vital to making your car shine.
- Apply a good polish.
- Wax the car.
- Have any paintwork damage repaired.
- Supagard Paint Protection.
- Don’t forget the glass.
- Go the extra mile with a tyre shine.
Is it better to polish a car by hand?
Hand polishing is a good method to get rid of minor clear coat scratches and swirls, but for deeper paint defects machine polishing is required. A positive of hand polishing is that there is very little chance of paint damage. In contrast, an incorrectly used rotary buffer will burn right through the paint in seconds.