Question on Sanding

LateBloomer

Member since
December 2005
From: Portland, Oregon

Question on Sanding

Posted by LateBloomer on Saturday, February 11, 2006 10:09 AM

Hi guys! I think I may know the answer to this one but I needed some confirmation. I recently did a 2006 Mustang and I coated it with 3 coats of Model Master Acrylic Primer. Whenever I tried to sand it down it took it right down to the plastic with a very, very minimal amount of effort. I allowed a couple of days inbetween coats and let the model sit for over a week before I began sanding it. Any ideas? Also I was using a very fine sanding film. My idea is that I didn't wash the plastic before painting. Would that do it? or am I missing something?

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Bgrigg

Member since
May 2005
From: Left forever

Posted by Bgrigg on Saturday, February 11, 2006 10:23 AM

Washing the model is always a good idea to get rid of and grease or mold release agents that are used in production. I wipe mine down with isoprophyl alcohol before painting. I don't have any experience with the primer you are using. The Tamiya primer is very highly rated. I've only used lacquer or enamel rattle cans for autos for some reason, and those straight from the can with no primer.

Also what grit do you consider very fine?

So long folks!

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LateBloomer

Member since
December 2005
From: Portland, Oregon

Posted by LateBloomer on Saturday, February 11, 2006 10:57 AM

Thanks for the reply. I am just using a pack of testors sanding film. From the pack I am using:

One #400 Grit Extra Fine Light Tan
One #600 Grit Ultra Fine Tan

Is this maybe too coarse? I haven't done models in... Oh... 25yrs? There abouts, and I have never built cars, mostly Military vehicles and Sci-Fi so I am new to the sanding thing. Should I be using finer?

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MusicCity

Member since
January 2004
From: USA

Posted by MusicCity on Saturday, February 11, 2006 11:36 AM

Try a plain old paper coffee filter. You will be surprised ;)

Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page

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LateBloomer

Member since
December 2005
From: Portland, Oregon

Posted by LateBloomer on Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:38 PM

Coffee filter? Hmmm... Would've never guessed. I'll give it a try, thanks.

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MusicCity

Member since
January 2004
From: USA

Posted by MusicCity on Sunday, February 12, 2006 6:37 AM

Neither would I until someone mentioned it to me. They do tend to leave some fuzz behind so, but no worse than sanding dust. They really do a great job of fine sanding though. Actually I guess it's more "Polishing" than "Sanding" but either way they smooth out the surface very well.

Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page

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jhande

Member since
November 2005
From: White Mountains, NH

Posted by jhande on Sunday, February 12, 2006 2:28 PM

Something that I also do from time to time if the surface doesn't need much sanding, just enough abrasion to cut the surface and help with paint adhesion.

I use Crest toothpaste as a rubbing/polishing compound. Keeping it wet, using either the coffee filter or a Q-Tip in spots really smooths the surface.

I've also used notebook paper and those brown paper shopping bags when the wifes yells that we don't have many coffee filters left. Sad [:(]

-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

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