painting / sanding question

[artemis0007]

Hi all!

Just wanted to know how much sanding I needed to do before I apply the primer coat? Sand all the way down to the metal, or just rough it up until it's not shiny anymore?

Thanks!

[cristoff]

Actually it's a good idea to sand to the metal. It isnt required for good paint adhesion but it does help in the uniformity of the coats your put on afterwards.

[beav]

Actually it's a bad idea to sand down to the metal. The panels are etched to allow the paint to stick during the fabrication process. If you sand too deep, as in down to the metal, you might sand away that etching, causing a greater chance of paint chipping in the future.

I always just sand down until i feel it is flat. I.E. when my sanding block glides accross the surface, and i don't see any more of that orange peel

[Haddy]

yea companies spend all that money on blasting that sucka so it must be doing something to protect it.....just sand down like beav said, where ur block will go over smooth and its smooth to the touch (ur hand is the best way to find spots u missed)