I'm going to do a project on my bike. I'm just wondering what wet sanding is. And the difference between dry sanding. Thanks alot

 

Wet sanding is ........ wetter ??

 

Just add water. No kidding.

The techique is a little different, but using water and a fine grit implement usually leads to a smoother finish.

 

I don't know if you get the same stuff, but we get a black paper called "Wet and Dry" paper, as Jerry says, if you use it with water, you get a smoother finish.

You usually start with a coarse dry paper to get the existing paint off, etc then work down the grades to smooth it, finishing with a wet paper to get the smooth finish ready for priming and re-painting......

 

This little how-to manual I have says to wet sand this plastic fender. Sand plastic!?!?!
http://www.sportbikeguy.com/garage_painting.html

 

Noooooo! Wet sanding is done on the final painted surface. It is the precusor to rubbing compound, then polishing compound. You don't need to "wet sand" in preparation for painting.
When wet sanding, use "wet" sandpaper of the desired grit (1000-2000 grit). Cut small squares of it and soak in a tub of water for at least 1/2 an hour. Have a water squirt bottle handy, squirt the surface you are working on (keep it wet at all times while sanding) and then lightly sand in one direction and then in the 90 degree direction till you can feel with your bare hand that the surface is to your liking. Then comes the rubbing compound, etc.
You are not sanding the plastic. You are sanding the paint on the plastic. The plastic itself can be prepped for painting by sanding it with a medium grit dry sandpaper. Paint (dry sand with finer paper between coats), let dry several days (if you have the time), then wet sand.

 

I shall now down to your superior knowledge there xviper

But I would say that I have never heard of sanding plastic, that doesn't sound like a good idea to me !!!!! Unless as xv says, it is just the paint on the plastic that you are sanding.....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tokyo_james
[B]I shall now down to your superior knowledge there xviper

But I would say that I have never heard of sanding plastic, that doesn't sound like a good idea to me !!!!!

 

A good tip for light sanding is to use a fine grit paper and rub some soap along with the water into it. This will lubricate and make the abrasive action of the paper less harsh.

 

Slightly off topic, but if you want a really nice finish on Aluminium use increasingly fine grades of wet dry sand paper with kerosene. Kerosene is an excellent cutting compound.