chemicalguys compound

Shine,

You are hand sanding up to 2500 grit, and then switching over to a DA for the 3k, correct?

At some point or grit step, I would like to switch over and finish sanding with a DA. So maybe that should be at 3000 instead of 1500. The 3M system is designed to go from 1500 to 3000. But I agree that is a big step and where I believe I'm not sanding enough (I'm still learning). I haven't seen any 3M finishing film finer than 1500 grit. If they make it I could add that step. Or just hand sand up to the 3000 step. The DA is alot less work if one can master the process as JimC and others have achieved.

My next paint job is going to be black, so I'm going to have to man up!
 
Jim C;32301 said:
haha wetsand paper...whats that?
Click to expand...

Lol.. I've tried the DA system 5-6 times now and everytime I ask myself why did I even try it again.. I don't think that it gets nearly as nice of a final appearance that you can get with the good old fashioned block sanding.. I use the hardest block I can find as well.. It takes a little longer but I think it's worth it. I usually start with 800 or 1000, then 1200, then 1500 then 2000 then buff. I'm a little old school in this stage but I just think it looks better when done..

i sometimes wonder if it's worth all the effort though when people don't take care of their vehicles.
 
Chad,

I feel your pain. I'm glad to know that other folks have had problems trying to use the DA system approach. I don't feel as dumb. I would just like to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I'm gonna try a few more times before I give up because I have the materials, and just hate throwing money away.

I will continue to use the DA for 3k trizact and maybe add the 5k for black paint jobs.
 
i have jumped from the 2500 green bufflex right to the 5000 trizact since it does cut faster and longer than their 3000. it does work fine that way just remember you are doing 2 grit jumps with one disc so just a little more time will be needed.

chad, i do agree that hard block your clear will give you a flatter finish but from what i can get with the da the increase in flatness is so marginal that very few people would ever notice the difference side by side. of course alot has to do with the clear, the gun and how you spray it. if the clear goes down with a bunch of urethan wave then they will certainly show in the end result with just a da. just to give you an idea here are some older pictures of something i did in black. this was all da and done before 5000 came out. i think at that point i ended with green bufflex or 3000 trizact. it was cleared twice blocking between. if it was a single clear job it may have slightly more wave visible in those fluorescent lights but not too much.


IMG_2506.jpg

IMG_2510.jpg
 
most new painters stop sanding way too soon. add to that the slipping of grits and you end up resanding after you start buffing. for me it is much easier to step all the grits than skip up and hope i get them out .
 
absolutely shine! not sanding enough each grit will make it very difficult once you pull the buffer out. that all really comes with experience and knowing the products your using.
 
i keep saying someday i will master the dry da but it just kicks my tired old butt. but i like setting on my stool sanding much more than the seating arrangement on a buffer.
 
I agree,, looks like you got it really flat, may have to try out the bufflex stuff some time too.. Last time I tried it I just used the 3m dry paper then 3000.
I don't even like using it on the collision work.. I also rarely ever sell it in the store,, but sell wet/dry paper regularly.

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I agree,, looks like you got it really flat, may have to try out the bufflex stuff some time too.. Last time I tried it I just used the 3m dry paper then 3000.
I don't even like using it on the collision work.. I also rarely ever sell it in the store,, but sell wet/dry paper regularly.
 
to each his own i guess. i just do it so often here i have my process down to a science. it might be a pia to get it there but once your tuned in its so much faster. i havent used wet/dry paper for anything in over 10 years.
 
To bad I didn't get to stop by when I headed in that direction. You could have gave a crash course.. lol.
 
Im in agreement with you all.. I think the hand sanding will produce a better finish in the end, but very few people are going to notice the difference for real.. I love the DA cause it is soo much faster and easier on my body.. Guess Im getting a little lazy in my old age
 
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