Rubbing down the bodywork

[blues3]

Hello all.

Just about to start on the bodywork and have a few questions....

As there's a little cracking on the bonnet and around the boot lid is it just best to take the paintwork right back to the primer (or beyond?)

What grades of wet and dry are best to use?

Is it ok to use an orbital sander or would it be better to hand rub?

The 'S' shiny plates on the sills; I take it they are best left on. It seems that to take them of is to ruin them.

Anyother advice / tips would be most welcome.

Cheers

Dave

[phillpot]

cracks or "star bursts" need to be sorted out or they'll come straight back through the new paint.

This is an old but still very informative article.... clicky


I'll leave others, maybe more experienced, to suggest grades of paper.


As for whether it's best done by hand.........

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
I used an orbital sander and a palm sander both with 60 grit, it all depends how many coats of paint there is, You will have to use a hand sander where there are any sharp edges as I found lots of filler under the factory primer and filler being softer than gel coat, if you put any primer on be careful as some primers absorb moisture, I used a thin coat of grey primer and a powder guide coat for final sanding with 400 wet and dry with no water.
Other than that its a boring job but well worth it in the end, stay away from paint strippers, I think there is only one from Frost which is ok with Fiberglas

Alan