Sand Scratches
Cause
- Sanding the substrate with too coarse grit sandpaper.
- Insufficient dry/cure of undercoats before sanding and topcoating.
- Refinishing over soft, soluble substrates (e.g., lacquers, uncured OEM).
- Using a poor grade and/or too fast evaporating thinners/reducers for spray conditions causing:
Primer surfacer to "bridge" over sand scratches;
Topcoat to "skin over," trapping solvent which swells sensitive substrates.
- Using a solvent cleaner that is too strong for the substrate or using thinner/reducer as a surface cleaner after sanding.
Repair
- Allow finish to dry/cure, sand smooth, compound or polish to restore gloss.
- Or, sand and refinish.
Prevention
- Sand with recommended grit sandpaper.
- Allow undercoats to thoroughly dry/cure before sanding and topcoating.
- Rub a small area of the old finish with a shop towel saturated with lacquer thinner. If the old finish is soluble or undercured, apply appropriate sealer.
- Select recommended thinner/reducer based on temperature, humidity, air movement, and size of repair. Avoid "bridging" existing scratches by applying primer surfacer in thin wet coats, allowing adequate flash time between each coat.*
- Use solvent cleaner designated for either lacquer (soluble) or cured enamel/urethane (insoluble) substrates.
*For best results, use the premium two component undercoat system.