Dry Sanding Clear

danp76

danp76

Oldtimer
I have never tried to dry sand clear, does it gum up the paper when blocking? What grit/procedures are you guys using? Do you only dry sand when double clearing?
 
I guess you mean fresh clear? I've never had a problem as long as it's been 24 hours. I've sanded 24 hour old clear with dry 500 DA. I probably would not dry sand fresh clear with a block unless it was allowed to cure pretty good.
 
You can dry sand the Universal the next day with P320 or P400 dry with a soft block without it gumming the paper up,.. This of course as long as its a good quality paper.. Cheap paper, I would not attempt..

Then set it in the sun for the afternoon before you do anything esle.. Let it gas off and the sun work its magic
 
So are you guys doing this only when you plan to double clear? Bondoking, am I better off waiting a few days then hit it with dry 320 or 400?...Any advantage to dry sanding the clear?
 
Dan I usually sand the clear the next day regardless of what Im doing.. I like to let it gas off in the sun for a few days before a re clear or a buff job..

If I am not going to re clear something.,. say just an overall on a driver,, then I sand with P800 then P1200 then set in sun as above post mentioned..

Then I will either step up the grit after that or most often go straight to buffing..

UVs are what really matter to me .. Dry or wet is simply personal preference.. Dry, I can see what i am sanding, I dont have to wipe anything off and I am of the personal opinion it cuts better and does a better job.. Again, its my opinion,,

I do wear a mask when I dry sand though.. A great deal of dust is created

Plus if you are using a machine it is super fast.. When going dry with lower grits its twice as fast in my opinion vs the wet sanding..

I used to only wet sand.. Now I primarily dry sand... Each have their place and of course it depends on grits and what paper your using
 
i tried the dry sand but just didn't like the dust and mess. i wet sand everything. keeps the car clean and ready for the next step.
 
Wet sanding does make a different kind of mess, though, I have to constantly remind my helper to rinse all the sanding sludge away before it dries and becomes much harder to remove.

That said, I also prefer wet sanding, especailly for final primer and for clear.
 
You guys are great, ask and you shall receive around here...thanks for all the tips..I typically wet sand too, I traditionally would start with 1000, go to 1500 and finish with 2000...but for a flatter look maybe I should start with 600?...aways afraid I will take off too much material. I typically apply 3 wet coats, maybe I should start doing 4?
 
Many who re-clear will use 400. I have not yet tried this, but soon will. We use 800, which will work on aged and new clear.
 
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