Hello I am preping the engine compartment for paint. Plan on priming, then sand, then base coat/clear coat. I am starting the initial sand with 120 grit. Does that seem to be too harsh, or will primer fill it in?
I would think 3 coats of good primer would fill it in, then wet sand before color. Makes quick work of the old dead paint in the comp, or should I work with 180 grit.

Thanks

 

If there is nothing wrong with the paint under your hood I would scuff with a red 3M scuff pad if not then I would feather the bad places with 320 and prime with a good 2K primer then sand with 400 grit then you will be ready to paint

 

Yera I am thinking 120 is a little agressive, probably switch to 180 or try the scuff pad, the paint is not that bad, not much of it there, it works down to the original primer pretty quick.

 

Don't wet sand the primer. You can block it after a guide coat and fill where necessary, but you want it rough for paint to adhere to. Wet sand after the clear. If the primer has been blocked (although there are not a heck of a lot of smooth shaped panels in the engine bay!) then the base/clear should lay down smooth, with the exception of orange peel...

 

Yea I know all that, and no filler in here, not gonna get that involved, I am already way over the top as it is, anything that is bolted in the eng comp is out, heater box included, all front end, x-member, front clip, etc.