Sanding questions…big time newb!

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  • siby joseph
    January 30, 2010 at 1:08 am #19047

    I’m trying to sand my car which has been sitting outside for about 9yrs uncovered, 89 mustang hatch. it has original Ford factory paint, with airbrushing on the front/rear bumpers, doors, side panels, a little rust on the driver’s side bottom panel and some rust on the trunk. The paint on the roof is in some rough shape from the weather.

    I would like to sand it down before taking it to a professional for paint. Here are some of my questions:

    I havent found any electrical DA sanders, only air powered. Do they make elec DA sanders? If air tool sander, will a pancake compressor be fine to power it? Like a porter cable pancake compressor.

    Ive read that 80 grit for metal, higher grit for plastics (bumpers). Is this fine?

    Can I sand down the rust?

    Thanks

    MoCoke
    January 30, 2010 at 6:23 am #19074

    electric sanders operate in random orbital action and they are much slower and not as aggressive, wouldnt recommend it. dual action sanders based on cfm probably wont operate efficiently on anything less then 80 gallon compressor. the small pancake compressor wouldnt work. 80 grit is a bit too rough to sand with unless your stripping the paint off completely.

    siby joseph
    February 2, 2010 at 7:34 pm #19211

    Thanks for the reply.

    I was thinking of stripping the paint off completely but probably won’t since i can’t afford an 80lb comprssor AND the sander.

    I’ll just advise with a body shop.

    Thanks again!

    Brian
    February 3, 2010 at 7:11 am #19229

    You can always chemically strip the paint if you have the time and elbow grease.

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