This is my first paint job. I started wet sanding some Orange peel and in some areas it sanded out completely but in others it feels/looks smooth but you can still see It in the surface. It does go away with further sanding but I don't want to sand too much away if it isn't needed. When is the Orange peel sanded smooth enough?

Thanks

 

if you're going to top the epoxy with high build primer, I'd scuff and shoot.

if your top coat is a paint I'd sand it to 400 grit smoothness as a general rule.

 

epeoxy primer is really for metal that will be sitting for a while. If youre sanding it, and done with all the body work, and 100% sure its ready for paint, (id guess not, since its epoxy primer)---but id shoot 3 thick ocats of high build over it, block it with 120, shoot 3 more mid coats, block with 180, shoot 2 more medium coats, wet sand with 600---ready to spray color

 

I suggest using a guidecoat. That is the best way to know if you still have low spots.

 

I was originally planning on painting directly over the epoxy but I am probably going to get a gallon of some filler primer before I paint. Thankfully the body is pretty straight and only had minor rust on the roof to deal with. I still need to sand the hood, fenders and the rear bumper. The rear bumper has some spider cracks but they don't show through the back. I'm planning on sanding down and filling the cracks in but am unsure if I should sand the whole bumper bare or just the repair areas and just scuff and prime over the rest.

 

You always want to sand out the orange peel, all of it. If you feel you are sanding too much than you didn't do enough surface prep, the gun's settings were incorrect or you're using the wrong temp activator.

Epoxy is just a sealer and only meant to be sanded if it dries before being topcoated. You can paint directly over Epoxy if the bodywork is sufficient but it sounds like something is off. I would sand till the orange peel is gone and if you bust through the primer that's fine, just respray. I would really steer you towards sanding, spray coat of epoxy and spray 2-3 coats of primer.

 

Its user error on my behalf with the gun settings I think. I started messing with the fan control and fluid needle while spraying the door and it was better. I finally located a good front clip so I'll get plenty of practice after I strip the old paint off. I can't wait till it's all finished. I may repair my old fenders and practice painting them beforehand so I can get the adjustment down better.