Hi guys,
Just a quick question; I find that one of the most annoying and time consuming parts of doing a custom is sanding all the pieces in order to get the best paint adhesion. Not everyone does it, but I do find that it makes a difference.
So here's my question: does anyone here have any tips on how to speed up the sanding process? Is there a dremel bit that one could use, maybe at slow speed, that would do the trick?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Cheers!

 

I think that even at a slow speed it would still be to fast,  ..

 

More like too concentrated. The Dremel gives uneven surfaces with its sanding disks and belts, simply because they're too small to cover entire surfaces.


Personally, I just took a piece of sandpaper to the pieces. That said, I used to actually use Wet/Dry Sandpaper and (with appropriate gloves/personal protection equipment) enamel thinner to make paint come off of figures before repainting them. Something about the thinner got the paint off faster, I basically painted a thin layer of thinner onto the piece, sanded it and let it dry off before smoothing it out enough for painting (didn't help that I ran out of the higher grit wet/dry sandpaper at the time). Definitely not recommended without a suitably ventilated area and protection equipment, though.


Also, that method is improvised, and not what you'd expect from people that do this often. I just happened upon it and realised it got the job done when I didn't have anything else available and needed it done right away.

[/if you try the above, it's at your own risk]

 

There also use the wet sanding technique with pieces of sand paper and then light coats of a good primer. Some pieces I don't sand at all just prime and paint. Dremel is good to remove pieces of plastic but wouldn't recommend for overall sanding.

 

For Gawd's sake use your hands. You slip with that Dremel and you'll ruin your work.

 

I think if a certain portion needed it, it'd be fine. For a whole figure? Nah. It's gonna create more problems than it solves.

 

Make an electric tooth brush sander:

proCustomizers.com Cool Tools #001: Electric Toothbrush Sander - YouTube

 

That's... Actually a good idea... I may have to check unto that.

 

For paint adhesion, fine grit sandpaper will do. Something in the 1000-1200 range. I really only use this on problem areas. I would not do this in the "field" of a figure, like a door or roof, it will just make it look uneven and rough.

That being said, a chemical cleaner (soap, lacquer thinner) will get comparable results (or better) with less risk.

 

Thanks guys! I was really wondering if I was making things more difficult for me than I needed to...I tend to be super paranoid about chipping and rubbing issues and always trying to make things super resistant. Needless to say that it often doesn't quite work out that way!
Thanks for all the advice!

 

use an electronic nail filer.

 

Here's a tutorial. Using a scotchbrite pad is the fastest way to prep a figure. I guarantee it.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/tutorials-how-tos/543277-prepping-start-finish.html

Scotchbrite can be used on flat surfaces and get's into grooves fairly well. To be honest, sandpapers are better suited for removing imperfections or filing down areas with tight tolerances. And sandpaper on a dremel spells certain disaster.

 

I have started to do this on most of my customs, it makes it so much easier to prep them... Thanks for showing this tutorial...

 

scotchbrite pad is what I use on my figures, on tuff rub spots i sand and then scotchbrite pad to lighen up the sand paper marks, just take your time and don't rush, slowing down is faster some times.