Wet sanding

It keeps the sandpaper from loading up with the material you are sanding as the water washes it away. Your sandpaper will last much longer and will cut better when wet.

Mike

Does wet sanding apply to sanding sticks as well as to sandpaper?

QUOTE: Originally posted by demondoctor Does wet sanding apply to sanding sticks as well as to sandpaper?

i think it does demondoc, also does'nt wet sanding reduce larger scratches in the paint

HEY,
How do you do it? Are there any special techniques?

Randy

Not all types of sandpaper and sanding sticks (nail files) are suitable for wet-sanding, check with the maker.
I tend to use fabric backed sandpaper or 3M sanding foam-pads (washable).

No special techniques, I keep a small bowl with water ready, dip sanding material and sand. At times i add the water directly onto the area where i sand.
We really need it on the Resin Kits, very fine dust that will collect in your lungs.[:0] Best to wear a mask when sanding resin.

Use a little dishwashing soap in your water, when wet sanding. I know this sounds funny but soap makes the water weter.

crue leader

It doesn't make the water "wetter", just breaks down the surface tension (which causes drops on a surface). If you add liquid soap to water and apply it to a porous surface, the water will soak in deeper and quicker than untreated water. Fire departments add a chemical to water to fight fires which does the same thing. Funniest demonstration I ever saw was at a fire fighting seminar. They had 55 gallon drum of water with a duck swimming on top. Dumped a handfull of the chemical into the water and 2 seconds later the duck was on the bottom. And when they pulled it out, it was incredibly indignant.

Here is another twist for wet-sanding.

Instead of Water use non-foaming shaving gel, works well.

I usually won't wet sand with a sanding stick becuase the water may cause the stick to de-laminate, at least on the brand Iv'e been using. Been there done that.

A little dishwashing liquid also acts as a lubricant to help prevent the "sanded off" paint particles from sticking in the sand paper and causing scratches. Quincy, here's a trick question for you. If you add wetting agent or surfactant (dishsoap in this case) to increase the "wet-ability" of water, doesn't that equate to making it "wetter"?

Cheers...Snowy.

Is water wet by itself or does whatever surface it is on become wet?

QUOTE: Originally posted by traskos Is water wet by itself or does whatever surface it is on become wet?

That reminds me of the comedian Steven Wright when he said, "I bought some powdered water but I don't know what to add."

Mike

Thats easy Mike, basic chemistry, just add heat, the next Change of State will be from solid (powder) to liquid and hey presto! Instant Water!

Cheers...Snowy.

QUOTE: Thats easy Mike, basic chemistry, just add heat, the next Change of State will be from solid (powder) to liquid and hey presto! Instant Water!

Personally, I'd just stick it in the freezer. Let it freeze, and then when it melts you get water!