I know that this had been talked about a million times, however I was just curious how big of a difference it would be to go from 400 grit sandpaper to 700 then 1200. I started out at 100, then 220, then 400 and stopped. It looked really good, but not a mirror shine. I was just curious from those that have done it. I am doing this all by hand as well.

Thanks.

Kendall H.

 

Check Todd's polishing guide in my sig. I followed his write up for fuel rails, the alternator, accessory bracket, throttle body, water pump etc. I do all the sanding by hand, then grab the power drill with a buffing wheel stuck in it.

I go 150-220-400-600-800 then a wheel with brown rouge, then clean, then white rouge. I've had results pretty much identical to his. Cant complain at all

 

I stop at 400, and then break out the compounds. The coumpounds are what get you the shine. Sanding past 400-600 is really basically a waste of time.

 

I thought the same way, but for me atleast, with the 600 and 800 and really improve the final product and get out a lot of fine marks and scratches. After stopping at 400, 600, and 800 - I now go to 800 every time. But that's just me.

 

I stepped up to 800 from 400 and there is a huge difference. I havent buffed it out yet, but it looks amazing compared to the normal old look. I did it all by hand as well. I also did the fuel tube that connects the rails. I plan on doing my Alternator, but I have a feeling it is going to take some time and elbow grease. A wheel sure would be nice.

 

I am on to my alternator bracket now and man is this thing a APITA! All the little nooks and crannies it has are unbelievable! I am using a dremel tool with some pretty heavy duty sandpaper because there was some caked on grease and grime that I could not remove with a wire brush. Any pointers on what dremel bits to be using for this particular piece? It seems as though my dremel cannot reach all the required areas.

Thanks again.

Kendall H.

 

I disagree about the finer papers.I started at 240 320 400 600 800 1000 and 1500. I wet sanded parts with 800 1000 and 1500.They have a mirror finish.

 

The alternator bracket is definitely a huge pain. I'm working on it sporadically, along with my intake manifold. The intake manifold is pretty tough, because it has huge pits in it.

As to the original post, I usually go past 400 a bit. I don't like to stop less than 800. I do have some 2000 grit, but I tend to just use that for the heck of it, though it is definitely the most expensive sandpaper grit.

 

Out of all things, my carbide round bit works in the tight to get places. Just make sure you use it on all corners first before you decide to use it on other things or else the tip will dull and you cant get to them. I may tackle my starter tonight.