TECH TIP #2
EASIER AND BETTER SANDING
by Jim Sorensen
......Many of us already know this little trick, especially any of you car modelers. But to make the task of sanding easier and the end product so much better, most of us have discovered wet sanding. Car painters could not acheive their results without it. But with the need in this and other areas to conserve water, holding it under the tap while sanding, waste water. Here's the tricks I us to help both conserve water and get a smoother sanding result.
Safety note. A dust mask should be worn at all time during wet or dry sanding.
1...Of course I only mention this part for the beginning modelers, or someone who's sand paper keeps falling apart and crumbling when it gets wet. You must use the wet type of sand paper. It is usually marked "wet or dry" on the back side. (I don't want to endorse any one product, but I use sand paper from the company with a lot of "M's" in it's name.)
2...Depending on the size of the object you want to sand, you may need to adjust your container, but I use a 5 gal plastic bucket, filled about half full, or half empty. (Depending on what side of the brain you use).
3...Here's the secret; put about 10 drops of dishwashing soap in the water. This will make the wet sanding easier, prevents your paper from getting clogged (which is one of the main cause of scratches), helps your sand paper last longer and really helps keep the model cleaner. With this setup you could keep the water in the bucket for extended periods of time.(How long? When the bucket starts talking to you or you give it a name, change the water!!)
4...When you've got the surface as smooth you need, then rinse the object off under the tap, to remove any sanding residue and soap left behind.
Editor's note: JIm Sorensen is currently the supervisor over the Swingshift F-16 Paint Operations at Hill A.F.B. He has also supervised the paint operations of; the F-4, the OV-10, the F-18, the F-15, the USAF and USMC C-130s, the USMC Blue Angels C-130 Fat Albert and numerous museum aircraft displayed at the Hill A.F.B. Museum. He has also painted cars, trucks, semi's, and boats for about 20 years, and has been a modeler of all genre for over 45 years. Currently 1/32 jets really light his afterburners..
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