Well, I've been using scrap pieces testing different methods of sanding, priming, and painting. For sandpaper, i have 220 grit, 320 grit, 400 grit, and 600 grit wet or dry. What I've been doing is sanding the bare metal with 220, then 320, and then i prime it. After i prime it, i sand the primer with 400 and then 600 repeating spraying and sanding about 2-3 times to get the flattest surface possible. Is this a good method? Or should i sand with 400 before priming etc.

You're overwoirking it a bit

Use the 220 to get rid of existic paint etc on the metal if there is any, if not - skip this part.

Sand with the 320 grit perpendicularly to the direction of the 220 grit and lay down 2-3 couple of coats of primer - to fill in any scratches

wetsand with 400 grit until flat (no "pits" in the surface) If you cut through to the metal, re-spray and re-wetsand until flat

Apply a couple of thin colour coats then wetsand with 600 grit to be sure things are flat

Apply another couple of colour coats and wetsand with 600 grit - making sure things are flat.

For the final colour coat before clearcoating, wetsand with 800 grit (unless using a metal-flake paint or not clearcoating - sanding can dull the finish)

Then apply clearcoats in the same manner that you added the colour ones (but sand with 800 grit)
Then sand with 1000, 1500 and 2000 in perpendicular directions for the top layer.

Rub out the clear coat with a fine rubbing compound and you're done... go get a sling and some ibuprofen for your sore elbow and shoulder

The paint that i'm using is Rust-Oleum metallic. Well, i don't have 400 wet or dry sandpaper, and locally, i can't find anything above 600 grit. Do i have to wetsand with 400? Can i just sand normally with it? Btw, the paint i'm using isn't a normal color. It's a metallic paint.

Quote: Originally Posted by MasterP You're overwoirking it a bit Use the 220 to get rid of existic paint etc on the metal if there is any, if not - skip this part. Sand with the 320 grit perpendicularly to the direction of the 220 grit and lay down 2-3 couple of coats of primer - to fill in any scratches wetsand with 400 grit until flat (no "pits" in the surface) If you cut through to the metal, re-spray and re-wetsand until flat Apply a couple of thin colour coats then wetsand with 600 grit to be sure things are flat Apply another couple of colour coats and wetsand with 600 grit - making sure things are flat. For the final colour coat before clearcoating, wetsand with 800 grit (unless using a metal-flake paint or not clearcoating - sanding can dull the finish) Then apply clearcoats in the same manner that you added the colour ones (but sand with 800 grit) Then sand with 1000, 1500 and 2000 in perpendicular directions for the top layer. Rub out the clear coat with a fine rubbing compound and you're done... go get a sling and some ibuprofen for your sore elbow and shoulder

man i think this very very nice guide i saved it ! thanks

this must help any one here !!

silvafish this help you very very Good and help me too

you must do like he say

and about you Q sorry i dont know anything about paint i just get this advice form here thanks man

good luck

Quote: Originally Posted by silvafish The paint that i'm using is Rust-Oleum metallic. Well, i don't have 400 wet or dry sandpaper, and locally, i can't find anything above 600 grit. Do i have to wetsand with 400? Can i just sand normally with it? Btw, the paint i'm using isn't a normal color. It's a metallic paint.

When you are trying to wetsand paint, it needs to be 600-1200 grit, anything below 600 will be to coarse and leave deep scratches.

I have never had good luck sanding metalic paint it just makes a mess of it, I tend to lay on a few coats of clear and then color sand that...works out better cause then you don't disturb the metalic.

Quote: Originally Posted by $SOLID$ Necro When you are trying to wetsand paint, it needs to be 600-1200 grit, anything below 600 will be to coarse and leave deep scratches. I have never had good luck sanding metalic paint it just makes a mess of it, I tend to lay on a few coats of clear and then color sand that...works out better cause then you don't disturb the metalic.

I'm with you on the non-sanding of the metallic paint, although the wetsanding with 400 grit seemed to work out fine with me (on the primer coats only though - never on the colour coat)

Silvafish - If you are considering clearcoating your work, you will really need to have a look around auto stores (or specialist panel and paint shops) - you really need find 600-2000 grit paper in order to bling that clearcoat up.

If you aren't looking at clearcoating the paint, and have a flat primer base for the colour to sit on - apply lots of THIN, even colour coats & you'll be fine (and get through with minimal wetsanding)
Don't sand the top coat though - you will end up with it looking dull.

got pics?

Quote: Originally Posted by MasterP I'm with you on the non-sanding of the metallic paint, although the wetsanding with 400 grit seemed to work out fine with me (on the primer coats only though - never on the colour coat) Silvafish - If you are considering clearcoating your work, you will really need to have a look around auto stores (or specialist panel and paint shops) - you really need find 600-2000 grit paper in order to bling that clearcoat up. If you aren't looking at clearcoating the paint, and have a flat primer base for the colour to sit on - apply lots of THIN, even colour coats & you'll be fine (and get through with minimal wetsanding) Don't sand the top coat though - you will end up with it looking dull. got pics?

Just ordered a digital camera. I'm gonna work on my case etc this weekend. It's been too hot and humid for the past weeks since i have to do it in the garage. I've been practicing on scrap pieces of sheet metal. I may not clearcoat, but i did clearcoat on my scrap pieces without sanding it etc and it turned out looking good.