Should Paint be Sanded?

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:39 pm

As the title states, should you wet sand (800 or finer) your paint job?

I'm working on the 1/1000 D7 and was thinking if I should just lightly wet sand the paint job (once I have given it a day to dry).

What do you all think?

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:46 pm

If the paint is smooth then there's no reason to. I wouldn't chance it anyway, you might sand through it.

If the paint isn't smooth then what the heck is wrong with your paint?

I find it best to even everything out with your Futures and Dullcotes.

-Rog

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:01 pm

Painting with Tamiya.

I think what I got is maybe some fast drying paint hitting the kit?

I'm not more than a 8" from the kit, shotting at around 19 psi, but something funky happened.

I just lightly sanded it with 1200, wiped it down and gave it another shot of base color.

Best bet is to let it dry over night, then put some shading on it, hit it again with the color and let it dry over night and then seal it.

Hey, I'm still learning.

redfinger · Post by **redfinger** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:34 pm

I have from time to time, depending on the type of weathering effect I am trying to acheive, knocked down a model w/ 0000 steel wool. I have also found it "smooths" the layers nicely as well. Sometimes w/ all the coats I put on a model during the weatehring process you get high spots.

Ashton

seam-filler · Post by **seam-filler** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:39 am

Depends on what you're doing, as the others have said. IMO 800 is probably a bit aggressive - if I sand paint I usually use 1000, 1200 or even 2400 grit or steel wool.

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:14 pm

If I'm working large scale and need a REALLY smooth gloss finish, then will build up layers with sanding in between using a finer grade each time until the final top coat.

And then I use something like T-Cut on that.

Post by **TER-OR** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:38 pm

Can be sanded - sure. Must be sanded? No.
I have distressed paint by sanding it. This does look great for long-serving aircraft like drones - it looks like the paint has oxidized to that powdery look.

I've also sanded when I've had grainy paint issues.

seam-filler · Post by **seam-filler** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:48 am

If you're after a smooth finish I've use Tamiya Polishing Compound (comes in different grades) with nice, mirror-smooth results. Actually, toothpaste works pretty well too. And old Denim jeans.

But, please, do NOT use T-Cut! I am postive it will remove all of your paint before it gives you the smooth finish you want.

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:27 pm

T Cut has worked for me. You just have to be careful.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:17 pm

Ter-or wrote

I've also sanded when I've had grainy paint issues

That is my issue.

Post by **TER-OR** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:53 pm

I found these little foam buffing pads at a hobby shop, and wet-sand with them. You'll want to address the painting issue, too, so it doesn't re-occur.