whats the best grit to sand clear coat?

cllong1

cllong1

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I sprayed my dash metallic grey base over spi white epoxy, paint and clear came out fine except for a couple of spots with 3 to 4 inch runs. What is the best grit to sand out the runs in my clear without getting sand scrathes so I can reshoot clear over the area. Epoxy and base does not show any sand scratches want to keep it that way. Thanks in advance. By the way I shot 2 coats of clear and I got runs on the last coat. Is two coats plenty?
 
You will need to let it cure a bit and then carefully sand down just the runs until level with the surrounding clear. The grit depends on the size of the runs but since it is your first time dealing with runs you may want to use 1000 grit. I normally use a piece of oak to sand with so I can be sure the paper only touches the runs and not the flat areas. Some guys will put tape over and alongside the runs to prevent sanding through the low areas, other use body filler.
Once the runs are level with the clear coat and no longer visible, you can scuff the entire dash with a gray Scotchbrite pad just enough to remove the shine. Clean and then shoot another coat of clear or two.
 
okay so nothing less than 1000 grit for starters and thank for the tip to tape off or stay in the intended area, Thanks for responding
 
I'll just add that I use a tongue depressor stick as a block. If you have enough clear on the panel, sometimes you can go through your normal sanding process once the run is gone (thru 5000 grit for me), then buff without shooting any more clear. If you're new at this and unsure, it's best to shoot more clear so you don't mess up the base.

The tape trick never occurred to me. That's cool. I'm definitely going to try that, and I will put the tape about an 1/8" away from the run on each side so I can see an un-scuffed line next to the run.
 
great, but just for clarity for my sake can someone give me the sand grit, I know coronet 68 said 1000 Im basically a newbie and dont want to sand scratches so can someone be elementary with with on the sand girt range at least what grit will scratch and which will not?
 
All sandpaper grits produce scratches. The idea is to take the run down level to the clear with minimal contact with the surrounding clear. Once that is done you will need to sand or scuff the entire dash to prep for clear. I suggested the 1000 because the freshly applied clear will fill those scratches easily.

Guys with more experience will take runs down with coarser grits like 400 or even a razor blade but they stop just short of level and finish with a finer grit like 1000. Being this is your first go at this it is better to spend more time removing the run just to be on the safe side.

Of course if one of the pros on here has a better option they will speak up.
 
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cllong1 said:
great, but just for clarity for my sake can someone give me the sand grit, I know coronet 68 said 1000 Im basically a newbie and dont want to sand scratches so can someone be elementary with with on the sand girt range at least what grit will scratch and which will not?
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Starting with 1000 might be a little slow but it will work well.
 
not a problem Ill start with 1000 grit I just didnt want to cut with to harsh of a grit and screw up. Thank you guys for the help
 
You could start on it and keep watching to see if it is going to sand out. Once had one still wet after seven days. That was single stage tho. It had dried almost completely but at very end it started rolling up.
 
If the run is big enough, you can shave the top portion of the cap off and let it sit another day. That will help the trapped solvents escape better. Don't rush unless you have too. Even then, don't.
 
great advice I'm in no rush, once again thank all you guys for the input for showing me how to approach these issues even if the happen again I will know what to do.
 
Also, if run's thick & you sand it flush too soon all at once, possible it becomes low after month of cure.
Happened to me once.
 
okay thanks, I wont make it to complicated I will let it dry and sand with 1000 grit or so and reshoot. It just ran and last coat so its not like its 2-3 coats of run in every coat just the last coat in a couple of spots. TIA
 
You're good to go. Assuming you're in the northern hemisphere (like the United States and not Australia where it's winter right now), sand away!
 
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