Which air sander?

[TROOPER88]

Hi
I need to sand a shell before I can paint it. The paint that is on the shell is thick and although I will not be removing it all off, naturally I will need to give it a good sand with 4-800 grit to prepare the surface.

I have a fair size compressor so thought I would try and save myself a lot of time and effort and purchase an air sander.

What should I be looking for?

Rotary, DA, size, do some of them suck the dust into a bag??

There are 100's on e-bay so was thinking somethink like this?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/air-sander-Ingersoll-Ran...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-61324-4416PRO-EXP...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Air-Sander-150mm-...

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

[Evoluzione]

Would you consider an electric powered one?
They have one disadvantage: More expensive to buy.

The Pros:

. Cheaper to run, consider the size of the motor compared to your compressor.
. Can be used anywhere without lugging a huge compressor with you (in the house etc).
. Cleaner (which is important with paint) as they don't spit out water and oil
. Warmer to use in a cold garage in winter
. Quieter

For these reasons alone my air powered sander sits on the shelf whilst the quite expensive Festo gets much more use...

[TROOPER88]

Evoluzione said:

Would you consider an electric powered one?
They have one disadvantage: More expensive to buy.

The Pros:

. Cheaper to run, consider the size of the motor compared to your compressor.
. Can be used anywhere without lugging a huge compressor with you (in the house etc).
. Cleaner (which is important with paint) as they don't spit out water and oil
. Warmer to use in a cold garage in winter
. Quieter

For these reasons alone my air powered sander sits on the shelf whilst the quite expensive Festo gets much more use...

Definately.
The only reason I thought of an air one is that I have the compressor.
If you could recommend an electric one that would be great. It must be one where new sanding discs in fine ish grits are available (400-800).

Thanks!

[Evoluzione]

I did: Festo.

[robdcfc]

What's your budget?

As said electric is nicer to use at home and won't piss the neighbours off as much as the compressor kicking every 2 mins.

Make sure you get a 150mm/6" pad on it as this is the most common size for discs.

I use air at work but that is because I use it for painting, sanding etc all day everyday.

Rob

[TROOPER88]

robdcfc said:

What's your budget?

As said electric is nicer to use at home and won't piss the neighbours off as much as the compressor kicking every 2 mins.

Make sure you get a 150mm/6" pad on it as this is the most common size for discs.

I use air at work but that is because I use it for painting, sanding etc all day everyday.

Rob

Thanks
Budget wise, I am only really going to use it for definite on this one shell. Perhaps I will do another restoration in the future but for the moment let's just say I am only going to use it for this project.

For this reason it's pointless me spending hundreds on a professional one.

Is there a decent option for under £150?
Perhaps I could look at a second hand one on e-bay.

Do most come with a bag to collect the dust?

Cheers

[robdcfc]

This is the one I have at work, you just connect the Hoover to the exhaust and it will collect the dust.

http://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/product.php?tid=1...


Well in budget and a nice sander made by a decent company.

Chicago pnuematic are a part of snap on I think!

Rob

[TROOPER88]

robdcfc said:

This is the one I have at work, you just connect the Hoover to the exhaust and it will collect the dust.

http://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/product.php?tid=1...


Well in budget and a nice sander made by a decent company.

Chicago pnuematic are a part of snap on I think!

Rob

Thanks Rob
Is this a suitable size sander to do a whole shell?

Do you know if 400-800 grit discs are available for it?

I have a Henry hoover in the garage, this just connects to the exhaust?

Cheers

[robdcfc]

Fine for doing the whole car, you want to start with 80/120 grit then work your way down or you will be there until next year.

So 120/240/400or500 that should be fine to prime over.

They are all standard grades available from all good paint factors.

Your Henry hose will go straight on the exhaus but you may have to wrap some tape around the exhaust to get a snug fit.

Rob

[TROOPER88]

robdcfc said:

Fine for doing the whole car, you want to start with 80/120 grit then work your way down or you will be there until next year.

So 120/240/400or500 that should be fine to prime over.

They are all standard grades available from all good paint factors.

Your Henry hose will go straight on the exhaus but you may have to wrap some tape around the exhaust to get a snug fit.

Rob

Thanks again Rob.
I think I will go for this one then!

The shell in question is a MK1 Golf GTi. It was Originally White but was painted a baby blue a couple of years ago I think. The blue has been put on thick. I will sand through the paper grades like you state but I was not sure whether a primer was needed.
Do you always prime regardless of what your painting over??

I will be using 2k primer along with 2k solid white (no lacquer).

Cheers

[robdcfc]

Small world I also have had a Mk1.

Yes prime the car and flat it back or you will see the layers through your new paint.

Also the baby blue may bleed through and you won't have a white car for long!

You want to flat it back to about 1200 wet and dry on a block for painting over.

[TROOPER88]

robdcfc said:

Small world I also have had a Mk1.

Yes prime the car and flat it back or you will see the layers through your new paint.

Also the baby blue may bleed through and you won't have a white car for long!

You want to flat it back to about 1200 wet and dry on a block for painting over.

Lovely, thanks.

I have a thread running on the project on here, if you are interested:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks

[robdcfc]

I still have a few parts if you need anything?

I have a brand new fuel tank (injection)

Centre console with genuine Vw gauges and cassette holder.

Little bits and bobs on a shelf all accumulated when I did mine!

[TROOPER88]

robdcfc said:

I still have a few parts if you need anything?

I have a brand new fuel tank (injection)

Centre console with genuine Vw gauges and cassette holder.

Little bits and bobs on a shelf all accumulated when I did mine!

Hi Rob
That is really kind of you.

Would the fuel tanks be the same? Mine is a 1.8 1983 car (I think....).
I can PM you a couple of pictures of the tank I have removed if you like.

Any other new or refurbished bits and bobs would also be much appreciated. If I PM / email you tomorrow the pictures of the tank you can let me know what you want for everything.

Cheers Paul

[robdcfc]

I believe the tank should be the same as there is only the one tank for Injection models.