sanding latex paint

BubbaK

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How long do you typically wait before sanding fresh latex paint? I'm restoring a Burgertime and I put 4 coats on with a foam roller. The paint doesn't cover well, so I didn't want to sand in between coats. Figured I'd get a good base down, then sand smooth and apply final coats. My experience is that latex tends to clog up sandpaper pretty quick if not fully cured. Should I wait a week before sanding? I'll post a whole before, during and finished pictures when I'm done. I am stenciling, and they just arrived over the weekend.
 
The longer the better. Go gentle, and by hand. You might also give some consideration to using steel wool vs. sandpaper. Won't clog as much.
 
It does not sand well. Keep in mind that for most applications where latex paint is favored (wall paint, etc..) it would never be sanded.
 
I sand between each coat. even after 4 coat thats an awful lot of sanding to remove stuff from the first coat. as mentioned above, nice and gentle.

i use 400 to sand the primer smooth then 600 and jump up to 1000 and 1500 for the final coats (last coat goes unsanded)
 
Thanks for the info. I know latex is a pain in the butt to sand. I might try those scotch brite pads to at least take down some of the real high spots. I've had good luck with them on other paint projects. I was trying to get a few coats on to build up a few imperfections in the base before sanding. For the most part, I'll be smoothing out the orange peel look. Its not really that bad.
 
I wet sanded latex paint on my DK cab while lying on it's side.
The paper was easily cleaned and lasted way longer.
I used very little water,did small areas and used a towel to dry as I went along.
I don't think I would wet sand a particle cab though.
It would probably be ok as long as you kept the water away from the edges.
 
Thanks.. I was able to use a foam sanding block, medium grit and take out the high spots relatively easy. The paint they mixed up for me is the one with the primer in it, so it may be a bit easier to sand. I put another coat on and will sand finer hopefully tonight. A few more coats and hopefully ready for stencils..
 
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