damagepaint around hl

[mrchip]

i did a set of bmw hl today and to my chagrin i put a inch long mark at bottom of hl on body...i hated that..i always put several layers of tape all around and micro cloth along bottom ..anybody have problems with hitting paint with sander???

[all starr]

yes, I now only hand sand and mask everything off. to me it works best. I only use a power buffer, not sander! Carry some wax and polish in case you get some minor scuff or sand marks on the paint, just in case!

[sunshine wr]

You should be able to buff out most scratches. I mask with the 2" blue painters tape first, then go directly over that with duct tape as many layers as you deem nessasary for the job. Be careful not to get duct tape on the paint, if it's had a quick spot paint duct tape will pull it right off

[harrellbenjamin]

Good advise.Thats what I do .Also I will use a 3" velcro type disc on my mini sander to get in to close areas around potential problem areas.You can buy blue painters tape on EBAY for about 2.30. a roll delivered by the case.I will also hand sand outer edges only .Alot faster that way and I still use an electric orbital with 3m flex pad for the bulk of the refinishing process.Lots of tape is cheaper than any paint repair.Also your final lens buff compound will do wonders on a minor slip up on the paint.Just feather area scuffed with 1500 grit litely and buff back to repair.Remember that most all of the stuff you are using was designed for the paint/body shop industry and has been adapted for this use.

[mrchip]

hi guys..thanks for your response and candor ..yes i put several layers of tapeand am usually very good at not damageing paint...just one of those days and a little slip and ahhhhh!!..this didn't happen to me..thought about buying cloth tape to put over masking tape..oh well tomorrow is another day

[GlassStarz]

with all the good systems to clear headlights why would you use one that requires you to use a sander? the one I use uses a 3"foam pad on the 3m hook it system using a cordless drill and it works great no need to hunt squirels with a bazooka

[sunshine wr]

GS, which color pad & what type of compound do you use?

[harrellbenjamin]

Also no need try to use a bb-gun to shot a grizzley bear.The reason we use a sander is because the level of damage we see in the sun belt is extensive.I have used many of the" Internet special kits "and have found them lacking at best.When you do a high volume of work and speed and final product is needed you can not beat the speed of sanding as a prep step.The system you describe is a very low power/volume system.It might be good for the home/hobby user but will never get near the volume or quality of proper equipment use( D/A /mini sander 3"/good buffer w/5.25 3m buff pad,high quality consumables ect.).I would expect in Vermont you would be seeing headlight damage on the lower end of the damage scale.For example its in the mid 70"s here today and for the rest of the week and still lots of U/V.You can work in short pant 10 +++ months out of the year.I have rarely a need to use a curing light in this enviroment for w/shield resin and have to be very carefull with the speed of the cure by using a U/V blocking shield at all times.Hope this helps you understand........................

[GlassStarz]

You are aware that it isnt uv that causes the damage right?i
Its a combo of chemical and sand blast that causes headlight discoloring if you are in a high blast area you need to smooth it thats why the systems are a combo of compound and cleaning chemical. I use the stuff from http://www.premierpaint2000.net it came with the paint chip system I bought but im sure they sell it separate I use the grey foam pad from 3m havnt found one it didnt clean well
As far as my environment we spread more salt and gravel per mile of road than all 50 states over 50% of our roads are still gravel and it gets -20 on a regular basis folks that wear shorts here 10 mnths a year are generally in a institutution

[Bois]

I use an orbital sander that came with my Dvelup system but only on heavy corrosion (sp?). I find the high speed and orbital action difficult to control and have damaged the plastic on occassion because the sanding disk (Dvelup's) came loose. At the suggestion of Dvelup, I cut up 3M pads (red, grey & white) into circles and attach to the sander. This helps prevent damage due to hand control.

Question. Why use an orbital sander and not a regular rotary sander?

Dale...