Color Sanding

This document is released under the terms of the Creative Commons License unless otherwise noted.
Thanks to Dan Elkins for writing this article.
Last modified 2010-05-14.

General Use Materials

3x "very large" Plastic Dropcloths (as cheap/thin as I could find)
Painters tape
Painters Dust Mask (also wear "goggle style" eye protection when power buffing)

Cleaners: Prep + Intermediate Washings

Car wash detergent (never use dish soap)
a half dozen or so white terry hand towels
PPG Acryli-Clean DX330 Wax & Grease Remover
soft cotton rags (remove buttons/seams/hemmed edges)
"Clay-It" detailing clay (removes fine particles imbedded in paint)

Power Buffer supplies

Right Angle Power Buffer with 0-10 variable speed selector (from autopaint supply store)
8" Velcro faced wheel for Buffer (I got one with beveled edges)
8" "Perfect-It" Foam Compounding Pad - 3M #05723 for 1st cut fluid (mark as #1)
8" "Perfect-It" Foam Polishing Pad - 3M #05725 for 2nd cut fluid (mark as #2)
8" "Perfect-It" Plus Ultrafina Foam Polishing Pad - 3M #05733 for final cut (mark #3)
3" "Hookit" detailing wheel + foam pad - 3M #02700 - for all 3 fluids in tight areas
1st cut: 3M Imperial Microfinishing Rubbing Compound (medium cut) - 3M #39001
2nd cut: 3M Finesse-it II Finishing Material - 3M #05928
final cut: 3M Imperial Microfinishing Glaze - 3M #05992

Sanding Supplies

old windex bottle filled with filtered tap water and a small drop of Dawn in each refill
small plastic dish of water - large enough to dunk 5"x2.5" sanding block
5" x 2.5" "Soft-block Flexible Sanding Block - MotorGuard Corp part #SB-1
4pcs 1500grit 5.5"x9" 3M Imperial Wetordry sandpaper
6pcs 2000grit 5.5"x9" 3M Imperial Wetordry sandpaper
6pcs 2500grit 5.5"x9" 3M Imperial Wetordry sandpaper

Final Wax & Detailing

Maguiers "Gold Class" liquid car wax & foam applicator (or your preferred)
Lucas Oil's Slick Mist "paint gloss intensifier" detailing spray
6x Microfiber towels apprx 12x18
a half dozen or so very soft cotton knit polishing cloths

Rules of Thumb and General Concepts

When color sanding you want to remove as little of the TOP paint surface as possible (oxidation layer)
Keep the pressures light when sanding and power buffing.
Don't work one area too long - err on the side of "not enough" to avoid primer show-through
Don't work one area too long when power buffing - buffing can "burn" the paint
TAKE EXTRA CARE around seams and panel edges to avoid primer show-through - it's easy to do!
You can use painters tape to protect vulnerable paint/trim from buffer
You begin with the most aggressive abrasives and move in steps to end with the finest.
MUCH intermediate cleaning req'd between steps to remove spent abrasive and sanding effluent
(in other words, you don't want "rocks" still laying on the paint when your next step uses "sand")
It's a messy job. (old clothes and a paper hat if you have one)
Avoid using your hand to sand - try to use foam sanding pad. (your hand causes pressure points)
ALWAYS keep sandpaper WELL LUBRICATED with water - never sand dry
Work small areas in a circular motion: 3-5" diameters for sanding and 1-2ft for power buffing

Color Sanding Steps

Wash car and remove as much trim as you feel comfortable
Note: I did not remove bumpers, windscreen, side mouldings....
Seal openings w/duct tape from inside of body panels (water/runnoff...)
Wipe down with Wax/Grease remover
"Clay" the paint
Wash again - VERY WELL
1500grit sand (very carefully and not too aggressive on the paint)
Note: this step took me about 8-10 hours for entire car
Wash again
2000grit sand
Wash again
2500grit sand
Wash again
Tape dropcloths on walls and other vulnerable surfaces in work area
Drape dropcloths over upholstery, glass, convertible top
Power buffing will sling abrasive in a 5-10 foot radius (wear a cap)
Buff w/Foam pad #1+ #39001 fluid at moderate pressure
Wash again
Buff w/Foam pad #2+ #05928 fluid at lighter pressure than step#12
Wash again
Buff w/Foam pad #3+ #05992 fluid at lightest pressure so far
Wash again - VERY WELL
Wax and hand polish with soft knit cloths
Light, dusting spray of Lucas Slick Mist and polish with microfiber towels
Note: this step really Rocks!