wetsanding/buffing a flat black rattle can job?

[Bene]

one of my car's POs did a pretty bad rattle can job. I wet sanded a spot on the hood that looked like someone tried to wax it, and it looks okay... Or at least better than the rest of the car.

There's no way I'm going to blow $1000+ on a paint job for a car worth about that much if I'm lucky.

So my plan this weekend, is to get a can of flat black (to fill in chips and such), some fine sandpaper and a bucket of water and have at it. is there anything I'm missing? or a link to a good resource for proper wet sanding technique?

[Sagaris]

I have had great luck painting different bare metal parts with a matte/flat black and wet sanding it to what looks like a professionally done low-gloss. I am not an experienced painter, I just made sure to shake the can up really well, spray at a 90 degree angle from the surface, staying farther away from the part as opposed to closer (where the zebra stripes come from) and then let the part dry completely (let it sit for a day) before wet sanding. I wet sanded from 600 up to 1000. I am not claiming that this is the absolute best process/set of tips but it works for me.

[1mz]

I have had great luck painting different bare metal parts with a matte/flat black and wet sanding it to what looks like a professionally done low-gloss. I am not an experienced painter, I just made sure to shake the can up really well, spray at a 90 degree angle from the surface, staying farther away from the part as opposed to closer (where the zebra stripes come from) and then let the part dry completely (let it sit for a day) before wet sanding. I wet sanded from 600 up to 1000. I am not claiming that this is the absolute best process/set of tips but it works for me.

600?!? That seems waaaay too coarse... not saying you're wrong... but I've seem sub 1000 grit leave some nasty scratches. Id start at 1000 and work your way up to 1500... maybe 2000

[zxert]

I use car wash soap as lubricant.

Some people soak their sandpaper in water for a few hours to assist with lubricity.

http://www.autodetailingnetwork.com/...rous-tool.html

[Ceeker]

600 grit is recommended for sanding primer; a self etching primer is good as it fills minor imperfection over repeated coats 600 but can be used with water to lubricate surface if you want to strip shitty work down just depends on how fast and how much you want to remove. 1500 grit will leave scratches too if one doesn't water sand. It is a rule of thumb to let the paper soak in a pale of water for a period of time to let the paper absorb the water. Then while sanding use water frequently. Soapy water is also a great way to sand. You can use 1000 wet; re spray if you want and then go to 1500 wet and as a final 2000. the higher the grit and more time spent sanding, the less cut and polish needed. But you can cut corners a bit if you use 1500 wet and go straight to a cut compound and then polish. Basically gives you the same results. Just make sure you got enough paint/clear to work with.

[gokepsgo]

I have a satin black spray can job that could use some love as well. What is "cutting compound"? I also have some deep scratches from what looks like keying, could I just sand that down to primer and recoat it, or should I use etching primer?

OP mad love for the flat black. Murder murder son!

600 grit is recommended for sanding primer; a self etching primer is good as it fills minor imperfection over repeated coats 600 but can be used with water to lubricate surface if you want to strip shitty work down just depends on how fast and how much you want to remove. 1500 grit will leave scratches too if one doesn't water sand. It is a rule of thumb to let the paper soak in a pale of water for a period of time to let the paper absorb the water. Then while sanding use water frequently. Soapy water is also a great way to sand. You can use 1000 wet; re spray if you want and then go to 1500 wet and as a final 2000. the higher the grit and more time spent sanding, the less cut and polish needed. But you can cut corners a bit if you use 1500 wet and go straight to a cut compound and then polish. Basically gives you the same results. Just make sure you got enough paint/clear to work with.