Sanding below 1000 grit

R

rjgervacio

New member
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
88
Reaction score
0
If I still have a visible scratch then can't be corrected with a 1000 grit, is it safe to go lower than that? Or is it true that anything below 1000 can cut through the clearcoat, which obviously isn't a good idea?
 
Do you have a PTG? If not, do not wet sand, especially anything near as aggressive as that. You will need to follow that stage with at least 2 other sanding stages until you can compound. That is a lot, a lot of clear to remove. Can you fill the scratch and wet sand it flat? That's your better alternative. If you do have a PTG, I would check the rest of the car for ranges and even then, I would still not go below 2000. That's just my opinion, but sanding through the finish guarantees a paint job. I'd rather live with a 90% corrected scratch then to have to repaint a panel.
 
Well you can drop to a lower gritt. But chances are it's pretty dang thin already after you sanded with 1000. You need to be careful that you don't sand through the clearcoat or burn through when your polishing the scratches out. Who knows the scratch could be through the clearcoat and you just don't know. It sounds like a heavy scratch were your goal should be to just improve how it looks. But to answer your question no I would not go to a more aggrisive grit just sand with the 1000 more. Remember you have to sand out the 1000 with lesser grit which will take more clear off so be careful your going to be playing with fire soon
 
You could take the panel down to bare metal with 1000 grit, seems way more aggressive than is necessary. I would take Richy's advice and live with a clear scratch that deep instead of trying to remove most of the clear around the scratch and hope that you don't take it all off. If you can feel the scratch with your finger or nail, the only thing you should try to do is fill it.
 
I've used 1000 grit, and even 800 grit to sand out defects before, but only on aftermarket paint that had just been sprayed and thus was a lot thicker than most finishes you'll come across.

That said, I would NEVER recommend this to be done by anyone who isn't experienced and/or does not have a PTG to use. You absolutely must approach with extreme caution and recognize that it takes a fraction of a second to cut right through a paint job when you're getting that aggressive.
 
rjgervacio said:
Thanks. What's a PTG btw?
Click to expand...


PTG = Paint Thickness Gauge


Defelsko PosiTest DFT Combo Electronic Paint Thickness Gauge
PosiTest003.jpg




:)
 
You can get the scratch out with 1000, if you sand more. But as others said, lack of experience, thin factory clear and not having a PTG is a real bad combo.
 
I never sanded a vehicle below 2000 grit sand paper.....and I never will....If you own a paint shop, I think it is ok....cuz you can repaint it...hahahhaha
 
it will take alot longer cause less clear coat is coming off with each pass but using 2000 grit will still take care of all the scratches and be easier to polish out as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top