Can you wetsand a painted shell with 2000 grit paper

[S-WRX]

Quick question to all the pros, I went to www.italianhorses.net and was looking at the painting tutorial. the website says to wetsand with 3200 grit sandpaper if you managed to get dust on the paint. The problem is, I was looking for a 3200 grit sandpaper at pep-boys today and the finest they have is 2000 grit sandpaper. Can I wet sand lightly with 2000 grit without scratching the paint?
I need help on this one, my ferrari is almost done!!
Thanks!

[Jaymes]

people here said that you can wetsand with 2000 grit to remove things and then use compound and wax afterwards.

[JTRACING]

you probaly can, but if you have a really nice paint job, id recommend sanding with really fine paper, like 15,000 grit, then go over it with meguires scratch-x , it will give you a mirror finish

[Jaymes]

^^ Someone here said he uses 2000 Grit and then Meguiar's Scratch X... would this still work for a mirror-like shine?

[351Cougar]

I think 2000 would cut through the paint way too fast. I start with 3600 and go up to 12000 then use meguiars.

[S-WRX]

I forgot to add, the current paint on the shell is a base coat. I have about 3 light coats, in which by the third coat, the paint somehow collects dust. so should I paint over this right now and sand it later, or should I sand it first, then go for thick finish paint.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by 351Cougar

I think 2000 would cut through the paint way too fast. I start with 3600 and go up to 12000 then use meguiars.

Wow where do you find these sand papers?!

[sjelic]

Originally Posted by S-WRX

I forgot to add, the current paint on the shell is a base coat. I have about 3 light coats, in which by the third coat, the paint somehow collects dust. so should I paint over this right now and sand it later, or should I sand it first, then go for thick finish paint.

Then there is no problem at all if you have to add few more coats, just don't push to much and reach the primer. Just use 2000, dry it well and give few heavier coats, if you use clear coat then even if you wet sand final colour with 2000 you will get perfect paint.

[Mainomega]

where do you find 15,000 grit sand paper ... or is that just silk ?

[JTRACING]

where do you find 15,000 grit sand paper ... or is that just silk ?

i find it at my local hobby shop

[hobbes874]

I recently used 1500grit on a GT2 and it turned out great, I used a combination of Tamiya's Compound and Meguiar's "Swirl Remover". Extreamly smooth and shinny finish

[GT-Alex]

Originally Posted by Mainomega

where do you find 15,000 grit sand paper ... or is that just silk ?

Try a search for micromesh polishing kit, it come with 3200 to 15000 grit sandpaper and a foam block.

[youngdrifter_x]

where can i obtain this high number sand paper?

I use 2000 in running water...and imo my paint jobs come out good. all i need now is some compound stuff and i might get a good p-man shine :-D

[minniebanister]

Originally Posted by youngdrifter_x

where can i obtain this high number sand paper?

Look here: http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/s5....1.x=10&I1.y=18

S-WRX, if you are going to try removing dust specs with anything less than 3200 grit, be very, very, careful. If you screw up, you will cut through to the plastic. If you don't screw up, the result will be quite deep scratches. Hopefully your next coats will cover up these scratches but don't forget the maxim "paint hides nothing".

[Vric]

Tamiya Coumpound is like a 9500 grit sand paper. I think over that it's totally useless.

If your paint job is ok, use coumpound then use a Carnauba wax like Meguiar's Deep Crystal System