That old timer's comment about my filler work still stings

Last Tuesday I was smoothing out a rear quarter on a 2017 F-150 and this retired guy who hangs around the shop (don't ask, he's been there since the 80s) watched me for a minute. He said "you're sanding the filler, not the car. Stop pushing so hard." I laughed it off but then I checked the low spots and sure enough, I had waves from pressing down like I was cleaning a grill. Switched to a lighter touch with my 6 inch DA and 80 grit, took me an extra 45 minutes but the guide coat showed way less work needed. I've been doing this for 12 years and I still fall into the heavy hand trap, especially when I'm rushing to get a car out before 5pm. Anyone else catch themselves muscling the sander and then paying for it in the glaze stage?

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1 Comment

felix_lane9915d ago

Not to nitpick, but that "6 inch DA with 80 grit" thing is probably most of your problem. 80 grit on a 6 inch is for stripping paint, not shaping filler. You're fighting the tool because the paper is too aggressive for the job. I'd say drop to 120 or even 150 on the big sander for filler work, and save the 80 for when you're taking it down to bare metal. The old timer was right about the pressure, but he might've also told you to match your grit to what you're actually trying to do, not what feels fast.

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