Camaero

iTrader: (2)

I'm looking to do some work on the car and I was wondering what kind of sander would be best for what I'm trying to do.

I need to do my hood, and front end... but I may later just do the whole car.

If you could only have one, what would it be? I need some suggestions.

Thanks!

musclecar201

http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/....aspx?ID=25940

Used one of these on my car, worked in almost anyspace and every little spot you cant get with an orbital, it may take a bit longer but will be worth it in the long run.

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

Wow I like the price of that Makita compared to some of the other ones. So this would work around the contours of the front end? I have never used a sander like that before. Only DAs / Orbitals.

musclecar201

Yea if anything it works better than Orbitals and DA's around small areas that are sqaure but can still contour to the rear quarters around the well. I think it shoudl work fairly well for the contours on the front bumber. But like I said its probably not as fast as orbitals but it still gets the job done nice and easy and with less sanding by hand, the orbitals just get down to bare metal faster. If I were you I woudl buy an oribital and one of these, so you can get down fast with the orbital and get into the small spaces, my pad on mine went quick because we used it on the whole car but you can get replacements for it. Its all up to your choice.

1piece@atime

iTrader: (1)

Please don't use a belt sander anywhere on your car.
Your asking for suggestions for the type of work your going to do ... but you didn't say what it is you're going to do. Sanding out minor imperfections ... or stripping off the paint?

My preference at home is a random orbit electric sander with a 6 inch pad. It's essentially the same as my DA at work, except I don't have to listen to my air compressor run up the electric bill. A 6" pad will leave a flatter surface than a 5". It's not as good as blocking something by hand but the greater surface area you have the flatter the finished product should be. Although with any sander (or your hand)it's possible to dig a hole if you don't keep it flat.

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the responses. I went ahead and bought a 5" random orbital from Home Depot today. I still need to get a block, as I imagine that will be best for certain situations.

It makes sense what you said about a 6" vs. a 5" pad. I will have to be extra careful. What I'm trying to do is take the paint down... and probably even do some filler work on the front spoiler as it has some big gashes in it. I also need to do the same for the hood at the very least.

What should be the next addition to my arsenal for this kind of body work? Thanks!

NatesZ/28

please dont use your R/O on the urethane bumpers...you'll kill the poor floppy things more than likely...wetsand it with 600 grit (feather any chips with 600) Use a guide coat and sand it by hand till its smooth, work the rest of the guide coat off, wash the plastic with soap and water, wipe with a degreaser and then a 'tack-rag'. 2 coats of adhesion promoter, and then your paint (Adhesion promoter is a clear primer for plastics. Get a selection of Durablocks and a lot of sand paper. you'll need 80, 120, 300, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 and 200 grits or there abouts, in different quantities
Stripping paint off the metal, Id use an 80 grit, if your paint is good and intact, and its the only paintjob on the car, Id wetsand it, spray a sealer/primer and then paint