Wet Sanding

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Sep 22, 2009 | 06:59 AM

#11

santajim

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 3,721

Likes: 372

From: Tonopah Az

And if you insist on wet sanding put a squirt of liquid dish soap into your water bucket and soak the sandpaper for a while before you use it. The soap lubricates the grit so clear doesn't stick and glob. Everyone is correct if you have never done this process you might want a pro to do it.

Sep 22, 2009 | 08:22 AM

#12

bigtone

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 216

Likes: 2

All the above post are correct, however I will tell you that I did exactly what you are asking on my '90 Ultra. I do believe that the older bikes had more clearcoat. I wet sanded with 1500 with a rubber block, and buffed back the shine with Harley glaze and a small d/a buffer. It took a little longer that way, but to me it's more 'Idiot proof'. It came out real nice. The orangepeel really bugged me, and it gets worse as it ages.

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Sep 22, 2009 | 10:26 AM

#13

Harleypingman

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,449

Likes: 46

From: Roswell, GA

I am all for being thrifty, but there are some things better left to those who have experience: wet sanding and buffing are in that category. I recently completed a total repaint of my bike and did all of the work except shooting the parts and buffing afterwards.

Find a competent painter and see if you can get done what you want for $100 or so.

Wet sanding, if you are careful, is not so difficult; but, using a polisher with the correct polish and pad is a skill to blend in the sanded area and avoid a mess.

Sep 22, 2009 | 02:20 PM

#14

Cyphilis

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 436

Likes: 3

Is your bike a show bike that you trailer from show to show? Is it a bike that you never ride unless the weather is 80 degrees with no wind or rain?
If not, don't worry about a little orange peel,.. I think your being a little to picky. Just ride the damn thing, get some bugs on your windshield and don't worry so much about finicky stuff like that.

Sep 22, 2009 | 03:00 PM

#15

THABULL

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 832

Likes: 0

From: NC foothills

Don't F with it!

Sep 22, 2009 | 03:13 PM

#16

emwolb

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 5,413

Likes: 17

From: eastern oklahoma

you will wear down the clearcoat by just waxing it. remember about sandpaper grit. it is numbered by how many "sharps" or cutting points there are per square inch. i would recommend to just ride it and keep it wiped down, otherwise you'll surely end up having to repaint. i did drag the heel across my saddlebag and scuffed the clearcoat and used harleys scratch and swirl remover, it worked well, but there is only so much clearcoat over your color coat, and it's not very thick. buff it and you'll likely regret it.

Sep 22, 2009 | 03:22 PM

#17

n8dc

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 2,034

Likes: 45

From: Michigan

Well kids and experts.. I wet sanded mine ! Actually I got a big scratch in one bag . Only way to get it out was sand the **** outta it.. I never went thru the clear and it looks fine. Ive actually got a couple more to do. I can paint and do bodywork so this SH*T dont scare me ill fix it if i FU*C it up but I havent yet.. Some of you guys are way too ****... And some of you appear to be a lot smarter than you really are

.. Then there is the like 20% that just pick an answer and ANSWER.. tHEN THERE IS THE ONES THAT POST ABOUT .....

.. NEVER MIND..
pEaCE

Sep 23, 2009 | 09:05 PM

#18

streetglidin

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 357

Likes: 1

Well after 21 years painting cars i guess i can paint and do body work and @@@@ .I f you have never tryed color sanding and buffing, dont try it on a harley first.most of the above post are true, exept orange peel DOES NOT GET WORSE WITH AGE.the more u wash ,wax polish,etc the more u wear down orange peel and the surface gets smoother