How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

[Mike M.]

Just got the paint on my '65 Coupe this date. I have searched the question but need some help: how long should one wait before wet sanding and then buffing new lacquer (non metallic)? I was going to wet sand with 1000, then 1200 and then 1500 before buffing. Thanks for any advice.
Mike

[Doug F.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

at least a couple of weeks, more is better, it's hard to wait, but it's too easy to burn fresh lacquer, also if you buff to soon you have to rebuff later and that make a mess.

[Gene M.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

baked or air dry?

air dry, a month

baked, couple days

[Mike M.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

baked or air dry?

air dry, a month

baked, couple days

Car is air drying.

[John D.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

Is there any clear on it ?

[Alan D.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

But first what are you attempting to accomplish? Is the paint for NCRS judging. If you are thinking about having the car judged then do that first, much less sanding/buffing. Then after that redo the sanding/buffing if you desire a higher quality paint job.

[Mike M.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

The car has no clear.

[Mike M.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

But first what are you attempting to accomplish? Is the paint for NCRS judging. If you are thinking about having the car judged then do that first, much less sanding/buffing. Then after that redo the sanding/buffing if you desire a higher quality paint job.

I am going to have the car judged again (it got a 2nd Flight last Nov) trying for a TF. However, I am going to wet sand and buff the car at the correct time (after the new paint has cured enough-the responses so far say wait 2 weeks or 1 month and preferably longer.) The car is real straight, probably a bit too straight for the NCRS judges. It will soon not have enough orange peel on it either. It should look correct in those jambs, however. If I get dinged for being too straight or having too little orange peel, I am willing just have to accept that.

[Alan S.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

Hi Mark,
The person who painted my car still only paints with laquer and recommended letting it sit for 2 weeks before buffing it.
I think you'll find that since lacquer continues to dry and harden as the months go by, that you might do minimal buffing on it before you have it judged, and then when you think you're finished with the judging route, sand and buff the car to what ever degree you'd like.
This picture is of my car being buffed for just the second time, and it's 5 years after it was painted. Seven quarts of paint and no clear. No buffing at all below the level of his knees even at this point.
Good Luck with obtaining your Top Flight Award!
Regards,
Alan

[Mike M.]

Re: How Long To Wait Before Wet Sanding/Buffing New Lacquer

Thanks for the responses. I am in no giant hurry to put this car back together and plan to wait two weeks before doing anything. However, I do want to get on with it. I can easily push the car out in the sun and let the sun bake on it (I am in the deep South and it is hot as hades normally down here.) Is letting the sun bake on it a good idea or bad? Thanks.