Ask the Expert: For fleet refinishing, will using 50 grit sanding improve my paint adhesion?
Jan. 19, 2015
One would think that using a very aggressive sandpaper will provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to and be a better prep than using 320 grit. One would be wrong.
Q: For fleet refinishing, will using 50-grit sanding improve my paint adhesion?
Dan Szczepanik, Global Product Manager - Fleet & Manufacturing, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes: One would think that using a very aggressive sandpaper will provide a rough surface for the paint to adhere to and be a better prep than using 320 grit. One would be wrong. When it comes to ideal preparation of metal when sanding, the depth of the scratches is less important than the frequency of the scratches on the surface. 50 grit has many fewer abrasive particles on the sandpaper than 320 grit, but what it does have is much larger abrasive particles than 320 grit. This provides few, deep scratches and is not the best for paint adhesion. Adhesion studies have revealed the ideal abrasives are between 180 and 400 grit, with most operations using 220-320 grit. These sandpaper grits provide the optimum blend between frequency of scratches and depth of scratches, which is the best surface for today’s primers for adhesion.
Information provided by: Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes
Are you aware of the hidden costs lurking behind ignored maintenance? This eBook reveals how neglecting upkeep can inate repair bills, induce downtime, and harm reliability. ...
Are your KPIs driving real fleet improvement? Learn how to set smarter, data-driven benchmarks, track success like top-performing fleets, and apply proven strategies to optimize...
Fullbay's fifth annual State of Heavy-Duty Repair compiles insights from almost 1,000 experts and over 3,500 shops. If you aren't leveraging these proven data points, your competition...
Quality body repairs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks depend on the use of specialized adhesives, sealers, and other allied materials. Unfortunately, many shops face challenges...