Cut and buff edges?

DanMcG

DanMcG

Promoted Users
So I'm trying my hand at cutting and buffing a door that I put 4 coats of SS on yesterday. I'm following Don's good advice and taped the edges, but now I have flat panels and orange peeled edges. Is there a hack way to sand the edges until I get a Tolecut kit, maybe cut a small soft block out of something and cut some 1000 grit paper to fit?
Thanks
 
I think you want a small hard block not soft. I would try 1500. Should only be a 1/8” to 1/4” or so strip. Won’t take much to level it.

At least that is what I have done.

Don
 
Thanks Don, do you tape thru all the grits?
Is it very noticeable if the panel is flat and alone the edges still have some fine peel. Just curious, this isn't a show truck, Just a grocery getter, but not sure what would show and what wouldn't.
 
I usually tape through 1500. I remove it for 2500 Buflex. I use Tolecut on the edges before the buflex. Just have to keep from going over the edge when sanding. My method is likely not the best I’m sure there are better.

Don
 
How far off the edge did you tape? From my experiences, in taping just the edge (maybe 1/8") you can't tell that it's not cut. The risk/reward ratio is too high for me.
 
With 4 coats of clear there shouldn't be a problem.
I always sand the edges with 2000, and sometimes follow with 3000,
by hand, holding the paper in a way that one finger rides along the edge
keeping the paper about 1/16" shy of the actual edge.

It's also important to block the edges flat before paint.
There's always a little higher paint right on the edge to start with,
even on factory paint.
So block that flat to start with and you won't burn through as easy
when sanding and buffing the clear coat.
 
Thanks for the tips gentleman, Sanding went pretty well.... I think.
I have to say white sucks, I really can't see what's going on half the time.
Sanding the edges weren't bad at all, I cut a small piece of block off a Durablock and stuck a piece of 1500 on it and used a finger to guide it along the edge like JC suggested. The real heartburn area is the horizontal ridge that runs below the window, I should have had a drink before I started it. hahaha
 
One last question... hopefully;
How do you treat the window openings, arrows show where the sanded flat area meets the radius. 1500 and up by hand. Can this be cut with a buffer without tearing it up.
Thanks, this is all new to me.
door.jpg
 
Yes, I use a 4" foam pad on my buffer, I usually only sand with 2000, but lately I've been
using 3000 foam discs by Mirka (Abralon) by hand ,dry, on those radius areas.
Buffs out real easy and fast after the 3000.
 
The 3M headlight polishing kits work well for those areas because they come with a 3” foam pad for a drill, as well as trizact 3000 3” pad. I bought one for that purpose as it was actually cheaper than buying the individual parts separately.
 
For final polishing with foam pads, is a 7" rotary prefered or 6" RO/DA polisher? I got to order some stuff. Thanks
 
Use a rotary for buffing. I use RO/RA for machine sanding with 3000 trizact. If you don't tape the edges, be sure to tape any ADJACENT edges, because your buffing wheel will be rotating back ON to those edges. As was already mentioned, be sure to buff off the edge, so hold the buffer at an angle so the top of the buffing pad is the only part making contact with the panel, as the rotation is rotating off the panel, and the bottom of the buffing pad is up in the air so the pad is not rotating back onto the panel on its return revolution.
 
Thanks everyone for the help and advice, I'll see what happens with this door, then get back to painting the rest of the panels as weather permits.
 
Sorry guys, but I have 2 more questions.
What buffer speed for compound using a dewalt 7" rotary with 3D wool pad and 3D 500. I've read slow, up to 3000 rpm. I used 1000-1200 so far and it looks great but not getting any heat which I thought I wanted. so maybe I can get more shine out of it.
The section with the concave body line I did mostly by hand and after cutting I can still see sand scratches. If I go back and sand it, Do I start with 1500? I use 1000 1500 2000 2500 and 3000 before the wool pad.
 
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