What grit sandpaper to use for exterior?

I bought a palm sander, and I'm planning on painting the exterior of my car on my own. I was wanting to know what grit paper to use to sand off my existing paint, and what grit I should use after applying primer.

if ur paint thats on there isnt to bad but u want it a lil straiter, id block it w/ some 400 grit, then prime it if nesseary then block w/ 400 again then re prime then block w/ 600. that said if ur car is pretty strait and ur just wantiin to change colors and have it straiter than b4.

Well, first off, I'm wanting to install a hood scoop, so I'll be sanding all the paint off of my hood. It's a bit shitty in places...paint is real worn and primer almost shows through. Just going to sand it down rough I guess and then add my hood scoop then primer the whole thing. So use 400 to get all the paint off?

id use 180 to get all the paint off. maybe even 80 grit if its that bad, jsut remember to tape off rubber moundings or just take them out will make it easier.

Edited: 1/19/2006 8:42:18 PM by 2bad4ya

yeah if you have real bad places,= steps:36 grit,bodywork,80grit,primer,120-180 grit,reprime,220-250 grit,reprime,280-300,reprime to see for high low spots,350-400 grit,primer surfacer,430-460 grit,primer sealer,sand 600-680 grit,basecoat 3-6 light coats(depending on how the look you want to achieve),sand/wet sand 700-900 grit,****depending if you want graphics or just 2 part paint****clear coat 4-5 light coats,wet sand 1300-2200 grit, buff,wax

AND MAKE SURE EACH STEP YOU KEEP THE BODY CLEAN OF ANYTHING

you really should not be doing any mudwork over courser than an 80 grit scratch..and try not to fill any courser than a 180 with primer..for the best results down the road....

Originally posted by 2bad4ya



Edited: 1/19/2006 8:42:18 PM by 2bad4ya

yeah if you have real bad places,= steps:36 grit,bodywork,80grit,primer,120-180 grit,reprime,220-250 grit,reprime,280-300,reprime to see for high low spots,350-400 grit,primer surfacer,430-460 grit,primer sealer,sand 600-680 grit,basecoat 3-6 light coats(depending on how the look you want to achieve),sand/wet sand 700-900 grit,****depending if you want graphics or just 2 part paint****clear coat 4-5 light coats,wet sand 1300-2200 grit, buff,wax

Damn that's a lot of sanding and priming. The paint on my hood is all fucked because the clear starting coming off or something. More of the "cracked" effect I guess you could say. I want to strip my entire car and then make it nice as hell. Want the end result to be like glass. Want to be able to see the white of my teeth on the damn thing.

if u want the end to be like glass, i DONT suggest striping ther car but sanding it down tothe base coat w/ 180, and then priming/blocking

never use 36 grit on a car you'll work like hell to mud the damn thing back smooth. if the body is straight but the paints just shitty just use 400, 320 is the lowest grit i'd go on a palm sander only use 80 grit if you have some mud work to do but with a good primer and sealer you shouldn't need anything more than 400 on a palm sander