Did I mess up? (Sanding)

[blue_bomber697]

Sanding down the "Z06" carbon fiber piece from the steering wheel. Got the whole piece done, but there is this kind of lighter spot I can't seem to get rid of. Did I over sand it in this area and I'm hooped? Sanding it more doesn't seem to improve it or make it worse so I'm not really sure. I've stopped for now, but figured Id ask you guys before I continued.

 

[tyho]

I sanded mine using 200, then 400 then 2500. Once I applied the clear coat I couldn't tell it's been sanded. I sanded until the z06 was gone.

 

[C7Jake]

factory finish is sweet...decided not to mess with it

 

[blue_bomber697]

That's great Jake, but doesn't help me or answer my question at all lol.


And yeah, I used 180 to remove the clear coat, removed the Z06 no problem, then as far as I could tell I had to keep sanding down the entire piece before it was re-cleared. Then I did a quick sand with 400 and finished with 1500. The entire piece is done, but there is that small patch which looks off that I'm not sure what's going on there. Did I somehow sand too much away and it's no good, is it some stubborn clear coat? I don't know. I've never done something like this before so I'm asking what you more experienced guys think.

I could keep going like it wasn't there and get it cleared, but that little imperfection would haunt me everytime I saw it. I'm hoping it's not permanent damage.

 

[brodo]

Ok don't worry, I thought I f up like you when I sanded all the clear coat down the 1st time and sprayed a 1st clear coat, follow with a second clear coat which made it look too thick and not letting the carbon fibres show thru well. So I started to wet sand it down thinner and hit it with a dewalt polisher. Well, I got one same blotchy spot like you and I thought I'd burned thru. My solution was to resand ALL the existing clear with 400, 800, and wipe it clean with lacquer thinner. This time around, I hit it with just one rich coat of clear and after it dried up, I saw no blotchiness and it turned out flawless. My advice, all you need is one coat and I use flat to match the cf on the competition seats. Actually, rereading your post, I don't think you hit the piece with a clear yet, so why don't you wipe it clean with a lacquer thinner and then just spray the clear and if it's anything like mine, you'll be very happy.

 

[blue_bomber697]

Ok don't worry, I thought I f up like you when I sanded all the clear coat down the 1st time and sprayed a 1st clear coat, follow with a second clear coat which made it look too thick and not letting the carbon fibres show thru well. So I started to wet sand it down thinner and hit it with a dewalt polisher. Well, I got one same blotchy spot like you and I thought I'd burned thru. My solution was to resand ALL the existing clear with 400, 800, and wipe it clean with lacquer thinner. This time around, I hit it with just one rich coat of clear and after it dried up, I saw no blotchiness and it turned out flawless. My advice, all you need is one coat and I use flat to match the cf on the competition seats. Actually, rereading your post, I don't think you hit the piece with a clear yet, so why don't you wipe it clean with a lacquer thinner and then just spray the clear and if it's anything like mine, you'll be very happy.

Awesome. Thank you for the useful reply. Im not too sure what lacquer thinner is or where to get it, but I'll look into that tomorrow. Err... Today... When I wake up.

 

[XFIRE82]

...you can get lacquer thinner at C-Tire, little can on sale right now under 7 bucks. Reducer will wash it down too if you have some.