what sand paper do i use?

Question

i am changing the color on my bike and i dont know what sad paper to use to sand it down any help plz like what grade of paper do i use and any help tips ty!

Answer 1

Both answers and more.
Always use wet/dry paper if hand sanding and keep it wet, lasts a lot longer.
If you are removing old paint clear down to bare metal y0ou can use 80 or 100 grit, I use around 150 to start smoothing filler putty, you can spray primer over 360, but for the final coat I never use anything coarser than 400 grit.
400 also works between coats.
If you havent done any body work or painting there are a LOT of very helpful tips in the do it yo8urself books on removal of old paint, fixing dents, and applying new paint.
I strongly recommend one, they will save you a lot of frustration.

Answer 2

before you sand, clean it with prep sol or kleanz easy to remove any silicone or wax. get the prep cleaner at an auto paint store (not an auto parts store). use 400 wet or dry & wet sand it just untill its smooth. feather edge any nicks or pits until you cant feel them with a finger nail & their as smooth as the rest.
if you dont sand it down to bare metal you wont need any primer & it will flow out smoother.
it will help if you get a how to paint book from the library before you start & dont be afraid to ask questions at the paint store, theres usually someone around that can give you some tips.

Answer 3

it really depends on the paint you are using, and the look you are going for.

if you are using cheap lacquer paint you can get away with something as course as 280, but 380 is recommended by most body shops for lacquer.

I usually use 380 to tear through the clear coat on most newer paint jobs, then go over the whole piece with 1000 and again with 2000. this is a bit over-kill but it always gives a good finish with Dupont paint.

Techniques for preparing a surface for paint are as varied as the types and colors for paint, you have to do what you think is best.

Earl Schib and Maco paint shops use 280, then shoot a thick, cheap paint on the surface.
McCune's Body (my pastor's body shop) uses 2000 grit to wet sand the areas they are going to "blend" the paint, and 400 to sand in areas where body putty has been applied, then applies Dupont paint.

Answer 4

That sounds real coarse to me. I would advise 350 to 380 wet or dry emery and use it wet. The only sanding needed is to remove scratches. Then a light touch to clean and dull the surface. Don't attempt to sand off all the old paint.

Answer 5

100 to start then switch to 220 to remove scratches...prime and paint

Answer 6

go one better, potty train your cat by putting a temporary liner in your toilet, when the cat gets in the habit of using the toilet, take away the liner, wallah!, a potty trained cat!