Wet Sanding A Boat, How To Wet Sand A Car – Detail Depot
When talking about wet sanding a vehicle it is referring to the process of achieving the right shine on the vehicle’s paint finish. This is referred to as “car show shine.”
What is wet sanding?
Wet sanding is the process of removing a portion of a surface with a very abrasive substance and a lubricating liquid. This must be done with caution and should not be attempted by someone who is inexperienced. Wet sanding is a method of sanding that involves the use of specific sandpaper that is meant to be wet with water. The waterworks as a lubricant and aids in the removal of small particles, preventing the sandpaper from becoming clogged and causing deep scratches. Granted, sanding does leave a few minor scuffs. However, when we get the finish as flat as possible, we use finer and finer grits of sandpaper to make those scratches smaller and smaller. This is not something you want to do on the weekend in your driveway. After the sanding is finished, then buffing comes in this is when we use a machine with a buffing wheel that we can control to buff. Finally, we apply a polishing glaze over the entire automobile. The result is a true show-quality finish that surpasses that of any new car manufacturer. The final product is extremely stunning. You can’t beat it when it’s done well. It is vital that this is completed correctly. It is possible if inexperience one could sand “too far” and destroy the paint. So, proceed with caution if you’re thinking about doing this at home.
Why should you get wet sanding for your car?
Wet sanding is the most forcible paint correction process available, which is why it receives so much attention. It’s usually used to fix paint problems and scratches that other procedures can’t fix. If you look attentively at a brand-new car, you will notice extremely small waves in the paint. This is very normal. It has to do with how the paint applies to the surface and how the paint dries. This is a minor abnormality. This is known as orange peel because it resembles the peel of an orange when magnified. It’s crucial to remember that wet sanding paint entails removing a significant portion of your vehicle’s clear layer. This doesn’t necessarily imply that you’ll be sanding a lot, but it’s a lot harsher than polishing. Wet sanding is harsher than polishing since its primary goal is to remove paint flaws and scratches that are often difficult to remove. It does a fantastic job of leveling the paint and getting the vehicle ready for gloss restoration.
Why should you get wet sanding for your boat?
Wet Sanding is another tool or technique that can be useful in reviving a hull. It’s a matter of context when it comes to restoring old gel coats. You’ll need to assess the condition of your gel coat and choose the best one for you. If wet-sanding or rubbing compounds are required for hull restoration, the usual rule is, to begin with, the least aggressive procedure. You should only move up to more aggressive measures when you are making no progress with an abrasive medium (either sandpaper or compound). It may be time to sand and paint the hull if the gel coat is extensively scratched, gouged, or looks thin in some spots. Remember that Gelcoat is only a thin layer, to begin with—it varies from boat to boat and is thinnest at the bow, corners, and curves—and that a vigorous buffing compound might take that layer all the way down to the fiberglass. If you’re dealing with oxidation and tiny scratches, a rubbing compound system (followed by a wax) should suffice. If the rubbing compound isn’t working (try a test patch), and the oxidation is still visible after washing, the rubbed area, it’s time to wet sand the hull. Of course, this assumes you have enough gel coat to sand.