How to sand/prep side skirts for painting?

[TOTalon]

I have a set of skirts that I need to get painted to match my car. Instead of a body shop doing it, Id rather sand the old paint off myself to get the cost down a bit. Is there a correct procedure for doing this in terms of what kind of sand paper to use and sanding technique?

 

[Johnny Spyder]

If you're looking to first get all the paint off...I'd start out with a coarse grit so you don't have so much work. You really don't have to strip ALL the paint off...just mainly the clear coat. I'd start with a dry 100 grit, then something like a dry 3-400 grit, and finally finish it up by wetsanding it with a 600 grit.

 

[chriw21_2000]

To just paint over the old, scuff the clear with 400. Water sanding works best to smooth it out. Don't use 100 grit to sand anything unless you are roughing it in. You will never get the sandin lines out. All the body shop will want is the gloss nocked off. I worked there and I know all about people wanting to save money be sanding it them self and end up spending more fixing what they screwed up

Laterz

 

[TOTalon]

Originally posted by chriw21_2000
I know all about people wanting to save money be sanding it them self and end up spending more fixing what they screwed up

Lol, thats exactly what Im trying to avoid. The reason I wanted to take it all the way down to the plastic is there are a few scuffs on the bottom that I want to smooth out. The scuffs are grey , so I assume they went down to the primer. Im not sure if I should just sand down to the primer or all the way to the plastic or what.

 

[chriw21_2000]

Take primer and spray it on thick as heck and sand it off untill it is back smooth. You may have to actually make it run to fill it in. Just remember its just primer. it has to be sanded anyway... dont just sand those little spots bown because it will cause it to look wavy when paint is added.

Laterz