3 replies to this topic

[nerfnub]

So yeah, I dun goofed.  I got some bad advice and thought I only needed 120grit sanding before painting with a rustoleum 2x paint/primer in one.  Two coats in, and I can still see the scratches. I've found guides here/google on how to remove all paint for a new paint job, but this is a black base/primer coat so I'm hoping there's flexibility.

 

What's my best option for correcting?  Can I just re-sand the crap parts with ~200/300/400 or do I need to completely strip and try again?  Does it need to be sanded by hand, or can I use a dremel to start?

 

Thanks.

[Meaker VI]

If the surface is consistently scratched, and it's not another paint problem (poor adhesion, peeling, running, etc.), you should be ok to just hit it with the next step up. I'd usually go 120/150, 180, 220 and call it a day; if you want super shiny you've got to go higher.

 

If it's not consistent or if it is a paint problem, you need to sand that stuff off as best you can. Don't use a solvent stripper/cleaner, you may dissolve the blaster as much as the paint.

[nerfnub]

If the surface is consistently scratched, and it's not another paint problem (poor adhesion, peeling, running, etc.), you should be ok to just hit it with the next step up. I'd usually go 120/150, 180, 220 and call it a day; if you want super shiny you've got to go higher.

 

If it's not consistent or if it is a paint problem, you need to sand that stuff off as best you can. Don't use a solvent stripper/cleaner, you may dissolve the blaster as much as the paint.

 

Thanks.  Hit it with Dremel last night then 120/220/320/wet400 everywhere it was showing scratches. Looks blurry/scuffed now instead of scratched. Lots of those places are now showing the underneath plastic, so I'll start hitting it with paint again today. 

Edited by nerfnub, 05 December 2017 - 10:39 AM.

[Vim Fuego]

The best thing I've found for surface prep is green Scotch Pads - abrasive enough to give the surface a little bit of tooth, but not enough to leave scratches.

 

And then a thorough wash in warm soapy water, rinsed with more warm water and then left to air-dry overnight. As well as removing the dust from the sanding, it also gets rid of the microfilm of oil left over from the manufacturing process, and also sweat and various other gunk that gets between the paint and the plastic.