What grit to use to sand fairings for painting?

LoneRonin · May 6th, 2012, 09:38 AM

Just curious what number of coarse grit I should be using to sand off all paint for prep and then which finer one should I use to smooth out all the imperfections?

jjb84 · May 6th, 2012, 09:47 AM

Depends on how bad your scratches are... I started off with 80 then did 120 then 220.

LoneRonin · May 6th, 2012, 10:25 AM

scratches aren't too bad, I can only see the black plastic through the paint in some areas, I'm concerned with fixing the cracks...
Did the 220 result in a baby bottom smooth finish? Also did you use a power sander or by hand? What was the end result like?

LoD575 · May 6th, 2012, 06:37 PM

All of the paint does not have to be removed, only scuffed enough for adherance.
Areas around imperfections should be taken down to base layer completely.

All body work is 90% prep work, 10% paint skill.

Work progressively finer grit during the process. A quality primer can fill minor imperfections.

For a smooth finish you are looking at 1200 - 2000 grit wet sanding.

Jono · May 6th, 2012, 08:41 PM

D. Not enough information provided to solve problem

FrugalNinja250 · May 7th, 2012, 04:10 AM

Leave the original paint intact whenever possible, just scuff it until completely dull with a gray Scotchbrite pad. Wherever you've done repair work sand with 320 before spraying adhesion promoter and then sandable build primer. Wetsand with 400 using guidecoat if necessary, wipe everything down and you're ready to spray.

May 6th, 2012, 09:38 AM	#1
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	What grit to use to sand fairings for painting? Just curious what number of coarse grit I should be using to sand off all paint for prep and then which finer one should I use to smooth out all the imperfections?

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May 6th, 2012, 09:47 AM	#2
jjb84 ninjette.org member Name: JJ Location: Cali Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 127	Depends on how bad your scratches are... I started off with 80 then did 120 then 220.

May 6th, 2012, 10:25 AM	#3
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	scratches aren't too bad, I can only see the black plastic through the paint in some areas, I'm concerned with fixing the cracks... Did the 220 result in a baby bottom smooth finish? Also did you use a power sander or by hand? What was the end result like?

May 6th, 2012, 06:37 PM	#4
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	All of the paint does not have to be removed, only scuffed enough for adherance. Areas around imperfections should be taken down to base layer completely. All body work is 90% prep work, 10% paint skill. Work progressively finer grit during the process. A quality primer can fill minor imperfections. For a smooth finish you are looking at 1200 - 2000 grit wet sanding.

May 6th, 2012, 08:41 PM	#5
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	D. Not enough information provided to solve problem

May 7th, 2012, 04:10 AM	#6
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Leave the original paint intact whenever possible, just scuff it until completely dull with a gray Scotchbrite pad. Wherever you've done repair work sand with 320 before spraying adhesion promoter and then sandable build primer. Wetsand with 400 using guidecoat if necessary, wipe everything down and you're ready to spray.