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Old 07-05-2012   #1
 
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OhioFlameThrower

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Paint Buffing 101

Lots of guys are always asking about wet-sanding & buffing the clearcoat over top of paint. A buddy sent me such a question yesterday and I just happened to be down in my paint-shop buffing these custom-made triumph tanks... so I shot a pic of what I was doing.



In the foreground two flexible sanding pads... these happen to have 2500-grit and 3000-grit. When I wet-sand, I have just straight water in the Magic Orange Bucket, dip the paper/pad into the bucket every 10 seconds or so, and just sand until the surface is flat and shows no orange-peel (the clearcoat on these tanks flowed out beautifully so I was able to start with 2500-grit... typically the process begins with 2000-grit, 1500-grit or even 1000-grit). I wet-sand and wipe down dry continually to check progress.

Once I'm through 3000-grit, I go to the buffer. This is my high-end Porter-Cable detailing buffer that I've used the past 2-3 years... before that I used a series of of little cheapie detailing buffers rom the auto-parts store and they do a fine job. I like using a wool buffing bonnet... but I am going to test-drive a foam pad here pretty soon on something of my own and see how it cuts. I love the Meguiar's 105 Ultra-Cut Compound... does an incredible job.

Just thought that I'd share this pic of the real "glamour" side of being a rock-star custom painter (lol)... yeah, this is some of the most boring and tedious stuff. I have a stereo and a TV behind me (so I am not overly distracted while working) to keep me amused for the endless wet-sanding and buffing process.

www.flamethrowercustoms.com
www.flamethrowercustoms.blogspot.com
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Old 07-05-2012   #2
 
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great info. thanks for sharing
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Old 07-05-2012   #3
 
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^^This stuff is what separates this site from the others. Thanks, from someone who is trying to learn this stuff as I go.
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Old 07-05-2012   #4
 
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i agree, those of you who want to be painters must stand and wetsand for 3 hrs straight before you are allowed to paint anything! LMFAO

That shit sucks . . . but is a critical part of the job
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Old 07-06-2012   #5
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calicruiser View Post
i agree, those of you who want to be painters must stand and wetsand for 3 hrs straight before you are allowed to paint anything! LMFAO

That shit sucks . . . but is a critical part of the job
So true... so true. I cannot believe the quantity of work that you seemingly complete on a weekly basis... the wet-sanding & buffing time alone must be staggering!
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Old 07-06-2012   #6
 
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Thanks for posting this info,very timely. I have a question,if doing a panel paint job,sporty tank with side panels and a top panel, do you machine buff the base coat before laying out and shooting the panels? or is wet sanding the base to 1000 or 12oo sufficient? Basecoat cleared before side panels go on?

Last edited by pushachopperthanrideastocker; 07-06-2012 at 8:23 AM. Reason: forgot my question
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Old 07-06-2012   #7
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioFlameThrower View Post
So true... so true. I cannot believe the quantity of work that you seemingly complete on a weekly basis... the wet-sanding & buffing time alone must be staggering!
well i just moved a little over a week ago from OH to CA. in the week or so leading up to my move i had to knock out 4 paint jobs! luckily 2 of them were cafe style bikes so nothing crazy, but yeah a shit ton of wetsanding which i pretty much despise!!!!
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Old 07-05-2012   #8
 
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When I first glanced at this thread, I thought it said "Paint Huffing 101"

Good stuff
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