Sanding bodywork

Post by **Drew** » 08 Jun 2006, 10:08

I'm going to be bodging the paintwork on the chuggabug in the next few weeks and started rubbing down the worst of the panels last night by hand.

I decided after an hour or so that this was going to tick me off big-time.

An electric sander to do the existing paint/crap isn't a big no-no is it?

Post by **purplechugster** » 08 Jun 2006, 11:36

Ideally you want an air sander, but you'd need a decent compressor to go with it. Otherwise you can use an electrical sander, but the finish is often a bit suspect, and you'll need to finish it off by hand.

The best thing Ive found is to use a drill with variable speed settings, and a circular sanding disc, but use the stick on sanding discs rather than the ones held in with a screw else the bit that holds the disc on marks the paintwork. The stick on ones do occasionally fly off but that just gives sanding that extra exciting edge

You can get the adhesive sanding discs from machinemart.

Post by **Devs** » 08 Jun 2006, 12:04

Hi Mate

I have now 99% completed my bodywork prepping on my old girl, she is nearly ready for her summer dress. I only had a Ryobi detail sander, wouldn't class it as ideal but was adequate.

It has done a fine job, However should carry a disclaimer saying "single use" as I have just more or less finished body work and the sander has given up the ghost. Electrics + Mechanical parts + Dust = Dead

as mentioned in an earlier post, I was using 80 grit paper for ripping sown the flatting with 120 grit which depending on you eye for detail gave an adequate finish, i then by 1200 grit and finished by hand and i am very please with the results!

Post by **Drew** » 08 Jun 2006, 12:44

Cheers guys

Post by **purplechugster** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:00

Devs,

Where do you get your 1200 grit sanding paper? Im having trouble finding anything that fine.

Post by **Drew** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:36

purplechugster wrote:Devs,

Where do you get your 1200 grit sanding paper? Im having trouble finding anything that fine.

www.screwfix.com part no 76020

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 08 Jun 2006, 15:13

i got loads of 1500 half sheets (3m) off ebay, lots cheaper than the local paint supplier. no reason they wouldnt have 1200 too.
back to the original question- you can get electric DA sanders out there too, they are ok but if youre painting it yourself you will need a compressor anyway, better to get a decent size second hand one than one of those hobby things.

Post by **purplechugster** » 08 Jun 2006, 15:18

Drew wrote: www.screwfix.com part no 76020

Ta muchly!