Serious question, a painter I know in Tacoma said he never sands past 400 grit before primer on fresh metal.

He told me it actually gives the primer more to grab onto. I always went up to 600 for a smooth finish. Tried his way on a quarter panel last week and the primer laid down better. Anyone else skip the fine grit before the first coat?

4 comments

4 Comments

nathan_kim11d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, I was always a 600 grit guy too. Thought it was the only way to get a slick surface. But that idea about the primer needing more to grab onto makes total sense now. I tried it on a fender and the primer just stuck better, no joke. It felt way more solid. Sometimes the old school way really does know best.

averyc941mo ago

Wow, I had the same exact experience on my last project.

patel.eric1mo ago

Great minds think alike, I guess lol

susan_allen1mo ago

Actually, that saying always bugged me a little. Sometimes it feels like it just shuts down other ideas. Different minds coming up with the same thing isn't always a sign of being great, you know? It can just mean the path of least resistance was really obvious. I've seen plenty of times where the best solution came from someone thinking totally outside the box.