When to wet sand?

I am getting ready to repaint my SS bumper and want to get the best results possible from a spray can. I did some mirrors a while back with primer, then a couple coats of color, then wet sand and buff and they turned out pretty good but this time I want a better shine. Should I do the wet sanding before or after the clear? Or both? I don't know much about paint.

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Originally Posted by yournamehere018

I am getting ready to repaint my SS bumper and want to get the best results possible from a spray can. I did some mirrors a while back with primer, then a couple coats of color, then wet sand and buff and they turned out pretty good but this time I want a better shine. Should I do the wet sanding before or after the clear? Or both? I don't know much about paint.

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water sand it with 400grit real good.dry it off when finish.clean it with wax and grease romover then 2 coats of paint.10 mins between coats.then 10 mins after 2nd coat put a coat of clear on then wait 10mins then put last coat on.you get the idea.i never painted a truck with a spray can but thats the way a body shop would do it.after it dries,you can cut and buff it.this will make it real slick and get trash out if any.water sand it with 1000grit then 2500grit.then buff

Ok cool thank you! I just didn't know if wet sanding before the clear would achieve a better result or just make it harder for the clear to stick.

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Originally Posted by yournamehere018

Ok cool thank you! I just didn't know if wet sanding before the clear would achieve a better result or just make it harder for the clear to stick.

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don't sand it before you clear it.after you clear it and it dries instead of cuting and buffing it you could sand it with 1000grit then reclear it again.either way you want to do it.btw if you cut and buff it becarefull and not burn threw the paint

I agree to sand it before paint, however , I think 400 is a lil ruff. I would start by hitting it with 5-800, just to haze it, open up the plastic some.. Then wipe it down good with alcohol, paint thinner.. If you have a tac cloth that will work after you clean it with the cleaners.. Paper towels work extremely well also.. Spray it with the paint your going to use.. Do however many coats you feel you want to do. Make sure it is even, spray the next coat while the previous coat is still tacky.. Once you have finished that, let that tack up, hit it with clear. Do the clear the same way as you do the paint, for however many coats you want.. Then once that has dried, hit with 2000 paper, water.. Go even with the strokes, keep the paper wet.. Then you have to buff it.. Buff if on low speed like 14-1700. Do not get it hot, always pull away from the edges.. Use a super super fine or even a finish cut.. Spray paint clear is a little softer then the good stuff.. I have done out board engine covers, valve covers, all kinds of things with rattle can paint it has turned out like a job I have done out of a gun. Prep is key to painting, not rushing through it.. vIf you would happen to get a run, let it dry and just sand that area out, then hit it with another coat of paint or clear.. Prep and finishing is where it as. The stuff in between can be persuaded some

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Originally Posted by Mangled03gmc

I agree to sand it before paint, however , I think 400 is a lil ruff. I would start by hitting it with 5-800, just to haze it, open up the plastic some.. Then wipe it down good with alcohol, paint thinner.. If you have a tac cloth that will work after you clean it with the cleaners.. Paper towels work extremely well also.. Spray it with the paint your going to use.. Do however many coats you feel you want to do. Make sure it is even, spray the next coat while the previous coat is still tacky.. Once you have finished that, let that tack up, hit it with clear. Do the clear the same way as you do the paint, for however many coats you want.. Then once that has dried, hit with 2000 paper, water.. Go even with the strokes, keep the paper wet.. Then you have to buff it.. Buff if on low speed like 14-1700. Do not get it hot, always pull away from the edges.. Use a super super fine or even a finish cut.. Spray paint clear is a little softer then the good stuff.. I have done out board engine covers, valve covers, all kinds of things with rattle can paint it has turned out like a job I have done out of a gun. Prep is key to painting, not rushing through it.. vIf you would happen to get a run, let it dry and just sand that area out, then hit it with another coat of paint or clear.. Prep and finishing is where it as. The stuff in between can be persuaded some

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+1

my bad when i said 400grit,i was thinking metal parts but i usually use a scotch bright on plastics

Lots of good info here. I also use scotch brite to prep plastic, it goes faster if you use a gritty paste (forgot the name) along with the pad. Since you asked about when to wet sand. Wet sand after you've cleared and its dried. You can nib the little spots of trash with 1000-1500. Once you get the trash taken care of step out the whole thing with 1500, 2500, 3000. If you could get the 3000 for a DA sander, it buffs like butter once you finish. Good luck, post pics and the method used when you get it done.

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Originally Posted by casey.shoemake

Lots of good info here. I also use scotch brite to prep plastic, it goes faster if you use a gritty paste (forgot the name) along with the pad. Since you asked about when to wet sand. Wet sand after you've cleared and its dried. You can nib the little spots of trash with 1000-1500. Once you get the trash taken care of step out the whole thing with 1500, 2500, 3000. If you could get the 3000 for a DA sander, it buffs like butter once you finish. Good luck, post pics and the method used when you get it done.

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The paste is called Scuff Stuff.

Are you guys sure about all this sanding with a rattle can? 10 minutes between base and clear coats? i attempted to paint my bike over the summer first with rattle cans and wasnt happy, the clear formed a haze that wouldnt polish out. Id recommend buying a cheap gun off ebay, I got mine for $.99 and do it right, you'll be so much happier you did. Just my 2 cents...