Wet Sanding Direction

[av405]

I tried searching for this on the forum but couldn't find a good thread on it: My process involves Tamiya or Mr Hobby primer, tamiya spray cans, tamiya TS-13 clear, wet sanding 3200-12000 in one direction, then scratch remover and polish. I've done a few models like this already and have been happy with the finish, but I'm always looking to improve. My question is, should I alternate the direction I wet sand in with each grit? For example, 3200 left to right, 4000 up and down, 6000 left to right, etc. I seem to remember reading that somewhere. Thank you in advance.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Alternating the direction that you sand is probably the best approach, although it’s not always possible depending on the shape of the surface that you’re working on.

If you’re getting good results sanding in one direction, there’s no reason to change it.

I do it that way very often.

Some times we have a tendency to get caught up in the minutiae of the suggested technique rather than the end result.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

 

 

Steve

[av405]

25 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Steve

I agree with this train of thought. But like I mentioned in my post, I'm always looking to improve and don't mind trying new methods. Thank you for your response.

[Bills72sj]

Make and use these. I sand diagonally a couple of strokes then diagonally the other direction. It is how bodymen sand with a longboard.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, av405 said:

I agree with this train of thought. But like I mentioned in my post, I'm always looking to improve and don't mind trying new methods. Thank you for your response.

Of course, it’s always good to improve whenever possible, but if the finished product is satisfactory for you, changing the technique is meaningless.

That’s what I meant by the “minutiae of the technique”.

How you get there means nothing.

The question is are you happy when you do get there.

As has been said a million times on this forum, whatever works for you is the correct way to do it.

 

 

Steve

[Rick L]

The reason for cross sanding is just to be sure you have completed the last grit thoroughly. For example if you you want a 6000 finish and you sanded with 4000 right to left in the beginning you would sand the 6000 up and down until all of the right and left scratches are gone. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

You could always try the cross sanding and see if you think it's worth the effort.

[ctruss53]

I'm not sure it really makes a huge difference if you change directions or not. The key is just making sure you remove the scratches from the coarser paper with each step as you go to finer paper.

I think changing directions just makes it easier to spot when you have successfully removed all the scratches from the coarser steps.

I like to sand in several directions whenever possible. But if I can't, I keep a closer eye on what is going on.

[av405]

Thanks for the answers fellas.