plastic sanding

[kyliak]

SO i used the wrong sand paper on my grad handels when sanding. no where online specified what type to use.... now they are really very scratched anyone got a sugestion on a fix sand further to even it out with a higher grade or give up?

[70autostick]

Wet sand it with some fine fine fine sandpaper...

[Volkswoman]

I'm an auto detailer for 20 years and have done numerous repairs on my 1965 Squareback, and now am beginning on my 99 New beetle. Here's the thing: When making repairs with sandpaper, always remember that when you begin with a coarse grit sandpaper to get rid of scratches in pant or to prepare for touch up paint, you ALWAYS have to move to a finer and finer grit to finish the job. I start out with 400, 600 or 800 grit, whichever the job requires to remove scratch or scrape. I then move on to 1000 grit, 1500 grit followed by 2000 grit and even 2500 grit if I can find it. Buy yourself a pak of multi grade WET/DRY sandpaper. Make sure it has a variety from coarse to very fine. The main thing to understand is that each consecutive finer sandpaper is REQUIRED to remove the sanding scratches from the previous more coarse sandpaper. After all the sanding is done, go over the area with good polishing compound, then cleaner wax (it has a FINE abrasive ) . This is necessary to bring back the SHINE that all that sanding has removed. This should blend the repaired area into the surrounding area. Finish off with a good coat of wax and voila! You are done. I have repaired numerous scratches and scrapes using this procedure over the years with great success. Good luck!

[HarlequinPixie]

Though, for interior plastics, if you're getting them ready for paint, you don't have to go quite so fine on the sandpaper, and don't need the the polishing compound or wax.

[Volkswoman]

I guess I figured it would be understood that you didn't have to compound OR wax until the final paint was done. But yeah, that's the drill.