Need tips on sanding

[bigpat1802]

I have an orbital and am using 80 and 180 grit paper.
I seem to be doing very well...However my old compressor sucks.

Is there any tips to make this process go any quicker...or rather things I should know so I don't do anything wrong?

[danny]

patience-that is what you have to practice. take your time and you'll be happy you did.

[thecarguy]

keep moving, if you linger in one area the end result will be like a wave kinda.

[vetteonr]

Originally posted by bigpat1802
I seem to be doing very well...However my old compressor sucks.

Is it just not big enough to keep up the PSI? I have a smaller tanked one too and it can be frustrating when cutting or sanding something. Either get a bigger compressor, or have a lot of patience. Don't rush it. 90% of a good paint job is in the prep work.

[Gearhead52]

What is it you're using it on ???

Body of car ? Rust covered ? Old paint covered? Old paint in good shape or does it need to come off ?

Frame ? Lots of rust ? Looking for smooth finish, or does it matter ??

[bigpat1802]

I have a 60 gallon tanked compressor w/ a 5hp motor.

I'm sanding down a 64 Impala...and its body is in great shape

I'm sanding down old paint...and so far am getting a smooth touch to the hand.

[vetteonr]

It sounds like you're doing the right thing. Just don't be too impatient. Sounds like a nice ride you're re-doing.

[Gearhead52]

Your compressor should do just fine. I re painted two cars with a 20 gal tank compressor and a 10 gal portable tank in series to catch water.. Keep the regulated pressure down to 50 psi and if your sander is of the inexpensive types, they tend to be air hogs so turn the speed down to conserve air some.

Only use the 80 grit on the bad areas going down to bare metal and 100 to 120 on other areas you want to take down quick but use the 220 range to rough up and level and 320 to rough up. The primer will only fill well for a finish coat at 320 grit or higher. Other wise you'll see sanding marks in the finish coat. Hand sanding in a cross hatch method or X pattern keeps the waves out or at least down.

To blend out paint lines and prevent "ring out" use a wide flat sanding block and high number grit paper. Most small dings or dents can be filled with primer and no filler. Build up the paint and sand it off flat. Better yet go to an automotive paint shop....they'll give you some tips, or show you.

Unless you have real expensive air tools, plan on doing quite a bit of hand sanding to get the surface smooth and flat.