Brain Fart-Color Sanding Q

Hi all, I just laid down the color coats on my build and forget some things from my last build 2 years ago. I am going to wait 24 hours to color sand, that's long enough right? Also, when color sanding is it with the grain or small circles? Thanks, I am getting old!

Unless you did a really bad job of spraying the color, I wouldn't color sand at all. Sand out dust nibs and pet hairs and start spraying your clear coats.

When sanding the color coats there's a good chance of a sand-through. Not a big deal at that point I guess since you can just spray more color and proceed.

I suggest small circles and a small sanding block.

Thanks Jwells, I meant getting off the dusty's and other debris not really color sanding. I guess sanding the color is what I was supposed to say. Small circles too, thanks for the reminder. Tomorrow is clear coat if all goes well!

If I have dust nibs of pet hairs in my color coats or clear coats, I just tear a small piece of 400 paper, and use it dry with my index finger as a backing. I just sand it off and proceed.

I have a couple more issues than just that. I hit the front too hard in one spot and blasted some paint on there. I saved it and it didn't run but is blob-like and a touch uneven. I also had a few spatters on the back that didn't totally melt in too. Not much risk for sand through though, I hope.....

Other than sanding the "crud" form the color coats, there isn't much reason to sand the color coats unless- you use the color coat as the filler to get to a flat surface, or you'd like to remove orange peel in the color, making the application of the clear smoother, and less trouble to finish. Your "touch-up" is probably a little dry around the edges. You'll for sure want to blend that in by sanding before the application of clear. I always sand the color coats, but that doesn't meant that it's the only way to do it.